Cradle of Wine-Georgia

Duration of this Trip 8 Days Priced From $3,598 per person

This 8-day journey to Georgia, an extraordinary cultural heritage destination, uncovers 8,000 years of wine-making and culinary traditions. Nestled between Russia and Turkey in the Caucasus, along the alluring Black Sea coast, Georgia is home to five wine regions, including internationally renowned Kakheti (the largest) and Kartli. Visitors will taste wines of local wineries and monasteries, enjoy meals at the homes of local families, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and experience the beautiful landscape and sights of Tbilisi, Sighnaghi, Telavi, Mtskheta, Gori, Kutaisi, and Batumi.

Georgian Wine Highlights:

  • Explore the Kakheti wine region, enjoying superb views of the snow-capped Great Caucasus Mountains and verdant valleys of Kakheti while sipping wines from the Pheasant’s Tears winery (www.pheasantstears.com)

  • In the nearby village of Velistsikhe, visit traditional local cellars to learn about family wine production

  • Enjoy a tasting at the modern Schuchmann Wines facility, owned by Burkhard Schuchmann, a German industrial manager who was seduced by Georgia’s promising vineyards.

  • Visit a local master of Georgian clay jars known as qvevri traditionally used for storing wine underground, a method which dates back 8,000 years.

  • Tour the wine cellar at Alaverdi Cathedral, in operation by wine-making monks from as early as the 6th century.

 

Begin in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. During a walking tour of the old city, guests discover the religious and secular architecture that line its narrow streets: churches, synagogues, and mosques and Tbilisi's famous 19th century houses with their multi-colored wooden balconies. Relaxation awaits at the sulfur baths, popular with visitors like Pushkin, Lermontov, and Dumas.

The next day, guests explore the Kakheti wine region, famous  for its wide ranging wine varietals and fabulous landscapes. The Pheasant’s Tears is a small winery started by American artist, John H. Wurdeman in the fortified 18th century town of Singhnaghi. Velistsikhe offers an opportunity to compare traditional rural and modern wine making productions. 

The following day guests will visit a local master qvevri maker. These pointed bottom clay jars are used to store wine underground.  Afterwards, there's a visit to the wine cellar of the Alaverdi Cathedral. The ancient cellar there was frequently destroyed by Muslim invaders and rendered inactive during Soviet times when the monastery was deserted. Today, however, the cellar is as lively as it ever was! Lunch will be prepared at the home of a local family, followed by a tour and tasting in the town of Kvareli.

On day five, guests will explore the 6th century Jvari Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious heart of Georgia. Continuing on to the cave town of Uplistsikhe, wines from the Kartli region are on the menu, then an overnight in Kutaisi, one of the oldest settlements in Europe and capital of the Kingdom of Colchis. Kutaisi is also the destination of the legendary hero Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the golden fleece and the Gelati Monastery here adds another fantastic UNESCO site to our list.

Finally, guests will make their way to the beautiful coast of the Black Sea and the Gonio fortress, also connected with the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and enjoy their free time to exploring the city of Batumi. En route to Tbilisi for their last overnight before departure, guests will learn more about West Georgian wines and visit the Stalin Museum and a final UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mtskheta: the 11th c. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Here is where Christ's robe is said to be buried, and at over a millennium old, still one of the most beautiful churches of Georgia. 

At a Glance

Duration

8 Days

Priced From

$3,598 per person

Departures

 

           2023 Tours

  • April 21-28, 2023
  • May 5-12, 2023
  • July 17-24, 2023
  • August 29-September 5, 2023
  • October 20-27, 2023

 

            2024 Tours

  • May 1-8, 2024
  • August 4-11, 2024
  • September 16-23, 2024
  • October 23-30, 2024
  • November 4-11, 2024

Itinerary

Day 1-2: Tbilisi
Day 3: Sighnaghi – Telavi
Day 4: Tbilisi
Day 5: Mtskheta – Gori – Kutaisi
Day 6: Batumi
Day 7: Gori – Mtskheta – Tbilisi
Day 8: Departure

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival

Meet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Tbilisi

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Tbilisi's Old City. Walking along the narrow city streets and exploring the religious and secular architecture, you will get a sense of the history of the city from the fascinating mix of religious and secular architecture here; churches, synagogues, and mosques, and narrow streets of 19th century houses with multi-colored wooden balconies. Visit the sulfur baths which impressed the likes of Pushkin, Lermontov, and Dumas. During the tour enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old City. Afterwards we will take a stroll along Rustaveli Avenue – the main street in Tbilisi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Radisson BLU Iveria (5*) in Tbilisi. (B/D)

Day 03: Tbilisi – Sighnaghi – Telavi

In the morning, explore the Kakheti region, which is well known for its wine production. Enjoy superb views of the Great Caucasus Mountains and the valleys of Kakheti, learn about the traditions and culture of the country and region, and most importantly, taste the wines and delicious food.
Your first stop is to the fortified town of Sighnaghi (18th century). The town preserved its original image and now offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Mountains. Visit a local winery to taste Georgian wines. Continue to the historical-ethnographic museum. Afterwards drive to a local village to visit local farmers' wine cellars and taste wine. Later transfer to a winery for more wine tasting and learning about manufactured Georgian wines. Transfer to Telavi. Dinner and overnight at beautiful boutique property Chateau Mere.(B/D)

Day 4: Telavi – Tbilisi

Visit a local master of Georgian clay jars known as 'Qvevri' which are used for storing wine underground – a traditional method which dates back 8,000 years. Transfer to Alaverdi Cathedral for sightseeing and visiting the wine cellar of the monastery to taste wine made by monks. Later visit Gremi Complex and continue on to the home of a local family for lunch and wine. Afterwards, visit a winery for more wine tasting and a tour of the wine factory. Transfer to Tbilisi. Overnight at 4* Ambasadori Hotel (B/L/D)
Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 5: Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Gori – Kutaisi

Drive to visit the 6th century Jvari Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Mtskheta, the ancient capital and religious centre of Georgia, which is 3000 years old. Continue to Uplistsikhe cave town located close to Gori. Here, taste home-made wines of Kartli region. Transfer to Kutaisi, the town of legendary Golden Fleece from the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Gelati Monastery and Academy. Dinner at hotel restaurant and overnight at 3* Hotel Bagrati 1003 in Kutaisi.(B/D)

Day 6: Kutaisi – Batumi

Transfer to the Black Sea coast. Visit Gonio fortress connected to the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and a private ethnographic museum. Free time in Batumi. Explore the charming Old Town, walk the seaside boardwalk or take in the Botanical Gardens. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at 5* Sheraton Batumi Hotel with its marvelous views of the town and the Black Sea. (B/D)

Day 7: Batumi – Gori – Mtskheta – Tbilisi

En route to Tbilisi, visit a winery to learn more about West Georgian wines. Tour the Stalin museum in Gori and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in Tbilisi. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at 5* Radisson BLU Iveria in Tbilisi.(B/D)

Day 8: Departure

Early in the morning transfer to the airport and depart.

Land Tour Costs

From $3,598 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$430

Scheduled Departures

 

           2023 Tours

  • April 21-28, 2023
  • May 5-12, 2023
  • July 17-24, 2023
  • August 29-September 5, 2023
  • October 20-27, 2023

 

            2024 Tours

  • May 1-8, 2024
  • August 4-11, 2024
  • September 16-23, 2024
  • October 23-30, 2024
  • November 4-11, 2024

Trip Highlights

  • Taste fantastic Georgian wines, visit local wineries and enjoy learning about wine making techniques and traditions,
  • Discover historic architecture and treasures
  • Enjoy the Silk Road's best adventures, cultural interaction and hospitality
  • explore the Black Sea resort town of Batumi
  • stunning vistas of the Caucasus mountain range

Visited Countries

Georgia

Visited Cities & Places

Tbilisi, Sighnagli, Telavi, Mtskheta, Gori,Kutaisi, Batumi

Suggested Extensions

Treasures of Turkey, Azerbaijan Tour: Allure of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan cultural Tour: Golden Road To Samarkand, Treasures of Two Russia capitals

Reading Lists

Lonely Planet: Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan (2012)
Thomas De Waal: The Caucasus, An Introduction (2010)

What's Included

  • Visa support
  • Private transportation
  • Experienced English-speaking guide
  • Entrance fees to the historical sites
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
  • Wine tasting
  • Pre Departure Travel Package

What's Not Included

  • International Flights

Visited Countries

Georgia

Visited Cities & Places

Tbilisi, Sighnagli, Telavi, Mtskheta, Gori,Kutaisi, Batumi

Suggested Extentions

Treasures of Turkey, Azerbaijan Tour: Allure of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan cultural Tour: Golden Road To Samarkand, Treasures of Two Russia capitals

Reading Lists

Lonely Planet: Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan (2012)
Thomas De Waal: The Caucasus, An Introduction (2010)

Thank you for your interest in Silk Road Treasure Tours. We're looking forward to providing you with the trip of a lifetime. Please take a moment to complete and submit the form below. You can also call us at 1-888-745-7670 (or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to discuss all the aspects of the tour and reserve your tour.

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Cradle of Wine Georgia Tour

An 8 day tour available as scheduled group tour or as custom private tour

Scheduled Departures

 

           2023 Tours

  • April 21-28, 2023
  • May 5-12, 2023
  • July 17-24, 2023
  • August 29-September 5, 2023
  • October 20-27, 2023

 

            2024 Tours

  • May 1-8, 2024
  • August 4-11, 2024
  • September 16-23, 2024
  • October 23-30, 2024
  • November 4-11, 2024

Land Tour Costs

From $3,598 for 6-10 travelers

Single Supplement

$430