Kakheti Wine Route
Kakheti is where wine began.
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.
A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi
Map
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Stops
Curated by Wine Memories
- 1🍷
Pheasant's Tears Winery
Iconic natural wine producer in the romantic hilltop town of Sighnaghi. American winemaker John Wurdeman partnered with Gela Patalishvili to create qvevri wines that put Georgian natural wine on the world map.
tasting $$ - 2🗺️
Alaverdi Monastery Winery
11th-century monastery that has been making wine continuously for over 1,000 years. The monks still produce wine in qvevri buried beneath the cathedral floor.
tour $ - 3🗺️
Telavi Wine Cellar (Marani)
One of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Georgia. Their underground marani (wine cellar) contains qvevri dating back centuries.
tour $ - 4🗺️
Tsinandali Estate
The estate of Alexander Chavchavadze, the father of modern Georgian winemaking. He introduced European techniques to Georgia in the 1830s while preserving qvevri traditions.
tour $$ - 5🗺️
Kvareli Wine Tunnel
7.7km long tunnel carved into the Caucasus mountains, maintaining a constant 14°C. Built in the Soviet era, it now stores millions of bottles from Kakheti's wineries.
tour $ - 6🍷
Kindzmarauli Corporation
Producer of Georgia's most famous semi-sweet red wine, Kindzmarauli. Made from Saperavi grapes grown in the unique microclimate of the Alazani Valley.
tasting $ - 7🍷
Twins Wine Cellar
Family winery run by twin brothers using traditional qvevri methods. Their cellar contains ancient qvevri passed down through generations.
tasting $ - 8🗺️
Schuchmann Wines
German-Georgian joint venture combining modern techniques with traditional qvevri. The stunning winery includes a luxury hotel and spa.
tour $$$ - 9🗺️
Gadachrili Gora Archaeological Site
The archaeological site where the oldest evidence of wine production (6000 BC) was discovered. The birthplace of wine itself.
tour free - 10🍷
National Wine Agency Museum
Comprehensive museum of Georgian wine history in the capital. Houses ancient qvevri, winemaking tools, and tells the complete story of 8,000 years of wine.
education $
Plan the trip
Insider tip. Time your visit for Rtveli (harvest festival) in late September - villages erupt in celebration and you can participate in grape stomping.
Getting there and around
- Car required
- Yes
- Parking
- Free at all wineries. Street parking in Sighnaghi and Telavi.
- Nearest airport
- Tbilisi (TBS) - 1.5 hr to Kakheti
- Drinking and driving
- Hire a local driver ($50-70/day) - common practice, ask your hotel. Or book with tour operator. Spitting is acceptable but not common in Georgia.
- Other airports
-
- Kutaisi (KUT) - 4 hr to Kakheti
- Without a car
- Day tours from Tbilisi available ($60-100/person), but limits spontaneity. Mashrutka (minibuses) connect towns but infrequent.
Where to stay
- Base yourself in
- Sighnaghi
- Why there
- Romantic hilltop town with stunning views, great restaurants, walkable. Called "City of Love" - most scenic base in Kakheti.
- Booking tip
- Book 2+ months ahead for Rtveli (harvest, late September). Sep-Oct is peak season.
- Nightly range
- $40-200
Recommended stays
- Budget
- Guest House Pirosmani - $40/night, family-run, breakfast included, terrace views
- Luxury
- Chateau Mere - $180/night, historic mansion, wine cellar tours, spa
- Mid-range
- Hotel Brigitte - $90/night, pool, vineyard views, excellent breakfast
- Vineyard stays
- Schuchmann Wine Chateau - stay at the winery itself, $150/night
What it costs
- Includes
- Accommodation (3-4 nights), tastings, meals, driver/car rental
- Meals
- $15-30/day (lunch + dinner) - Georgian food is incredible value
- Per person
- $300-600
- Ways to spend less
-
- Many family wineries offer free tastings if you buy a bottle ($8-20)
- Pack picnic from Tbilisi Dezerter Bazaar - cheese, bread, churchkhela
- Share driver costs with other travelers from your hotel
- Eat at family restaurants (sakhli) not tourist spots - 1/3 the price
- Tasting fees
- $10-25 per winery (many family cellars are free or by donation)
Booking and timing
- Lead time
- 1-2 weeks for popular wineries (Pheasant's Tears, Twins)
- Closed days
- Some closed Mondays. Monasteries have prayer times (usually 6am, 6pm).
- Peak season
- Rtveli (harvest, late Sep-Oct) is magical but crowded. Book 2 months ahead.
- Best time of day
- Mornings for monasteries (better light, cooler). Afternoons for wineries.
- Group size
- Most family cellars prefer small groups (2-6). Larger groups should book tours.
Where to eat
- Lunch
-
- Pheasant's Tears Restaurant (Sighnaghi) - farm-to-table, $15-25
- Alaverdi Monastery cafeteria - simple but authentic, $5-8
- Telavi market stalls - khachapuri and khinkali, $3-5
- Dinner
-
- Nikala (Sighnaghi) - upscale Georgian, terrace views, $25-40
- Pheasant's Tears (Sighnaghi) - book dinner, $30-45
- Twins Wine Cellar - supra feast experience, $40-60 (book ahead)
- Winery restaurants
-
- Schuchmann Wines - full restaurant, book with visit
- Chateau Mere - elegant dining, reservations recommended
If your time is short
- If you only have one day
- If it rains
- Kvareli Wine Tunnel (underground), National Wine Museum in Tbilisi, or extended cellar tour at any winery
- Skip if time is short
Mistakes to avoid
-
- Don't try more than 2-3 wineries per day - Georgian hospitality means LONG visits with toasts
- Don't skip booking at Pheasant's Tears - they turn away walk-ins daily
- Don't drive during Rtveli if you want to taste - everyone offers wine, including locals on the road
- Don't underestimate Georgian toasting culture - pace yourself or you won't remember the wines
- Don't miss the chacha (grape brandy) - one glass as digestif is traditional
- Don't wear fancy clothes to family cellars - you might end up helping with the harvest
Worth stopping for
-
- Sighnaghi City Wall at sunset - panoramic Alazani Valley and Caucasus mountains
- Alaverdi Monastery at morning prayer (8am) - monks in qvevri cellar, golden light
- Pheasant's Tears courtyard - vines draped over clay pots, best in afternoon light
- Tsinandali Estate gardens - formal gardens with mountain backdrop, any time
- Twins Wine Cellar qvevri room - candlelit underground cellar, dramatic shadows