Georgia
Part of the Silk Road Wine Trail
SAKARTVELO
10 stops
Kakheti Wine Route
Kakheti is where wine began. Archaeological evidence from Gadachrili Gora (6000 BC) makes this the oldest wine-producing region on Earth. Here, wine isn't fermented in barrels - it's born in qvevri, giant clay vessels buried in the earth, a method unchanged for millennia and protected by UNESCO.
8 stops
Kartli Wine Route
Kartli, the historic heart of Georgia surrounding Tbilisi, offers a different wine experience than Kakheti. The region is known for its crisp white Chinuri and the rare Tavkveri rosé. Visit ancient cave cities, Stalin's birthplace, and family cellars where qvevri have been buried for generations.
9 stops
Imereti Wine Route
Imereti produces Georgia's most distinctive wines. Unlike Kakheti's amber wines with extended skin contact, Imeretian winemakers use shorter maceration and different qvevri shapes. The result is lighter, more aromatic wines from grapes like Tsitska and Tsolikouri.
8 stops
Racha Wine Route
High in the Caucasus mountains, Racha produces Georgia's most prized wine: Khvanchkara, a naturally semi-sweet red that was Stalin's favorite. The steep slopes and cool climate create wines impossible to replicate elsewhere. This is off-the-beaten-path Georgia at its finest.