In 2013, UNESCO declared the Georgian winemaking method a cultural heritage — and rightly so: wine has been made here for 8,000 years, with the same technique. Visiting the wine region is a must.
The qvevri method
Instead of wooden barrels, Georgians ferment wine in a qvevri — an enormous clay vessel buried in the ground. The grapes, skins and seeds rest together for months, which gives white wine an amber color and an intense taste. It’s the original “orange” wine, long before it became fashionable.
What it is: Saperavi is Georgia’s flagship red grape — deep, fruity, dry. Rkatsiteli is the most common white, excellent in qvevri.
Sighnaghi — the city of love
A picturesque walled mountain village, with views of the Alazani valley and the Caucasus. Cobbled streets, wooden balconies and small wineries on every corner. A perfect base for exploring Kakheti.
Telavi and the wineries
The capital of Kakheti, surrounded by monasteries and wineries. You can visit large wineries on organized tours or — better still — a family winery, where the host pours wine from his own qvevri and offers cheese and puri bread.
Rtveli — the harvest
September and October are the magic season: the grapes are picked, pressed and celebrated. Many families and villages invite travelers to join the harvest — an authentic, unforgettable experience.
Kakheti is about two hours from Tbilisi. If you’re going to drink, hire a driver — or join an organized wine tour.
Booking: Accommodation in Sighnaghi · Wine tours in Kakheti