Taste of Georgia: Food and Wine Tour

Discover the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, an eclectic and lively city built astride the Silk Road. Tbilisi is a pleasant and liveable place with a unique blend of European and Turko-Persian architecture. The morning’s sightseeing will include the vast Holy Trinity Cathedral, the atmospheric Old Town, known as the kala, with its distinctive drum-domed antique churches, narrow lanes, and colourful wooden houses. Then, after a traditional Georgian lunch, explore the European quarter of Tbilisi centred on the prestigious Rustaveli Avenue before concluding the day’s sightseeing with a private Georgian wine master class.

Today’s journey will take you east into the province of Kakheti, noted for its ruggedly beautiful scenery, endless vineyards, and some of the country’s finest churches. The award-winning Giuaani winery in the historic village of Manavi (famous for its yellowish-green wine Manavis Mtsvane) will be your first stop. Afterwards, drive to a nearby farm for a home-cooked lunch with local Kakhetian delicacies. The picturesque town of Sighnaghi, overlooking the fertile Alazani Valley and often likened to a medieval Tuscan hill town, will be your next destination. After a walking tour, you’ll be driven through the vine-draped scenery of the Alazani Valley towards Tsinandali, stopping en route to enjoy wine tasting at Chateau Mosmieri.

Telavi’s colourful farmer’s market is a fun place to learn more about Georgian food. On this morning’s tour, you’ll stroll and graze your way between the stalls piled high with delicious fresh vegetables, spices, cheeses, meats and the distinctive candied strings of nuts called churchkhela. Sightseeing then continues at Alaverdi, where you’ll visit the vast fortified Cathedral of St. George and taste natural Georgian honey at a nearby apiary (for a supplement, we can arrange for you to taste the rather special natural wines that have been produced by the monks since 1011 AD). Then, this afternoon, sample some small batch Georgian Bio wines and visit the fortified citadel at Gremi, a former capital of Kakheti with a wondrous setting.

Travelling to the mountainous region of Kazbegi via the historic Georgian Military Highway is one of the Caucasus’ most spectacular journeys. Journeying north, you soon reach the eye-catching Ananuri Fortress before eventually arriving at the highest point on the road, the Jvari Pass (2,379 metres). Snow-capped mountains are the norm on the next section of the highway, which passes directly through Stepantsminda (1,740 metres), the area’s main village in the shadow of Mt. Kazbek.

Depart Stepantsminda by 4WD for the uphill journey to Tsminda Sameba, more commonly known as Gergeti Trinity Church – one of Georgia’s most recognisable landmarks. Then, walk back down the mountain. Lunch today is a hands-on affair that teaches a little about some of the country’s more traditional dishes, such as khachapuri, a rich cheese-filled bread, and khinkali, meat-filled dumplings. The Sno Valley is this afternoon’s destination, where you can walk off lunch with a short hike to a viewpoint that presents sensational panoramas of the multi-pinnacled peak of Mt. Chaukhi.

Descend from the hills to Chateau Mukhrani, a winery that has played a leading role in establishing European-style winemaking in Georgia. After a wine-tasting session and lunch at the winery, continue to Mtskheta, a charming town where the historical churches have collectively been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, before returning to Tbilisi.

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to Tbilisi International Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight.