Georgia has a long tradition of wine-making and vine culture. Such a deep love for the vine, the wealth of vine varieties with characteristic economic and morphological properties as well as ancient traditions of vine cultivation, which even the great Homer and such outstanding figures of the Antiquity as Appolo of Rhodes and Strabon and Procopius of Caesaria used to mention in their works all this allows modern scientists to assume, that it was the Transcaucasus, especially Georgia,which was the native land of the first known cultured grape varieties. It was also from here that the vine spread to many European countries. Xenophon(401-400) remembered about Georgian wine: that Caucasian tribe who lived in the Black sea coast prepared strong wine.
In some of the oldest human settlements archaeologists have unearthed wine presses cut from stone and a vast array of clay and metal wine vessels, all of which indicate that wine-making has been practiced in Georgia from 2000 years BC. Wine's name itself is of Georgians origin "GVINO" ("Beii","vin","wein","vine"...) Since a long time Georgians adore viticulture- vine culture. Georgian wine's God "Aguna" is revealed in Dionise's cult, it's mosaic floors and appearance was discovered in the town-type Dzalisa (2th-3th cc).Georgian named October as "GVINOBISTVE" (the month of wine). In Georgia Christianity was adopted together with a wine. St. Nino brought Christianity to Georgia, made a cross from vine stems and tied them together with her hair. Most of churches are decorated with the vine ornaments. By the medieval king poet the new blossomed vine was compared with the Virgin. Among existing 4000 vine sorts 500 are of Georgian origin.
In Georgia a solemn or mournful ritual, as it is seen from the Georgian folklore and history, has always had distinctive features of its own. It was a habit with the Georgians to use wine in ample quantities and people in the Antique countries were amazed at the fact, that the Georgians never diluted wine with water while performing their rituals. Our ancestors used to drink the wine that is mentioned as "fragrant wine" in the great Homer's "Odyssey".
A french traveller of the 17th century, Chardin by name, wrote that there was no other country in the world in which wine was so good and drunk so amply, as in Georgia.
In present day Georgia the number of praiseworthy wines keeps growing and their quality is continuously improved. Jan Goldheimer in his "Concise Dictionary of drinks" lists up to 40 kinds of Georgian wines, among them such world-famous wines as Tsinandali, Gurdjaani, Khvanchkara and many others.Each farmer in wine-making areas of Georgia produces his own splendid wine, which is often far better than any official brand. He enjoys particular pleasure to see his guests savouring his home-made wine. Moreover, he will never miss a chance to treat a casual passer-by, who has knocked on his door to ask for a glass of water to his special wine. And if you happen to spend a night, at such a farmer's place, you may criticize everything in his household except for his wine.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Tbilisi. Hotel accommodation.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Tbilisi city tour.
Visit the open Air Museum of Ethnography(in the Museum are presented examples of architecture, artifacts and the mode of life from all parts of Georgia).
Excursion to Winery "Savane" (1894-1896. Collections including 1600 sorts of wines, in which are - Stalin's private collections, Napoleon's private cognacs … ) Wine Tasting Lunch (Tbilisi city Kitchen). After lunch old city sightseeing. Leisure time.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Drive to Mtskheta ancient capital of eastern Georgia, visit Jvari monastery (6th-7th cc), Svetitschoveli cathedral (11th c).Lunch.( Kartlian kitchen.).After lunch arrival in Kutaisi, one of the oldest sites in the world, center of western Georgia. En route visit Uplistsikhe ancient rock-cut town (1st millennium BC.) the oldest wine presses cut from stone and village Shrosha, where one can bye handmade ceramics souvenirs for drinking wine. Accommodation. Dinner.
After lunch visit Uplistsikhe ancient rock-cut town(1st millennium BC.) the oldest wine presses cut from stone.
Drive to Kutaisi.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Kutaisi sightseeing. The plot of the ancient epic by Apollonius of Rhodos is associated with the city -this concerns the legendary town of Colchis, to which the argonauts sailed in search of the Golden Fleece.Visit Bagrati (10th-11th cc.), marvelous example of the domed-church architecture of the high medieval period.Visit Gelati monastery (12thc.) the complex comprises a monas- tery, academy and church. Visit Sataplia Nature Reserve ancient Colchis woods of unique beauty and caves. Lunch and wine tasting in the winegrowner's family.. (Imeretian kitchen).
Return to Tbilisi. En route visit Dzalisa town-type settlement (2th-3th cc), the ruins of Dionyse’s palace, with mosaic floors and it’s appearance. Hotel accommodation
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Drive to Telavi the center of Kacheti region, one of the main centers of winery. En route visit Signagi-Royal town, Khirsa Winery (modern winery, where wine is prepared with old Georgian traditions). Lunch.(Kakhetian kitchen.) After lunch visit Gremi old architectural complex, (16th c.) and Tsinandali, the summer mansion of Alexander Chavchavadze, beautiful English park (French designer Arnold Regeli), old wine cellars (19th c).Wine tasting.
Hotel accommodation in Tsinandali.
Leisure time.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Telavi City tour.Excursion to Alaverdi monastery(11th c), Ikalto Academy(12th c) the old "marani" is saved, Shuamta monastery (5th-7th cc.)
Lunch with Georgian wines tasting.
After lunch return to Tbilisi.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Leisure time.
In the evening visit to the natural warm Sulfur bathhouses, one of the remarkable places of Tbilisi.
Farewell dinner in the "Wine house" with National food.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Departure
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Georgia
Local Culture
Food & Wine
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