Silk Road Wine Trail
Georgia
Chapter 1 of the Silk Road Wine Trail, Sakartvelo: 4 wine trails and 35 stops.
-
Chapter 1: Sakartvelo
- 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. 10 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- 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. 8 stops · 1–2 weeks · moderate
- 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. 9 stops · 1–2 weeks · challenging
- 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. 8 stops · 1–2 weeks · moderate