Highlights / General details
Learn about traditional Georgian wine-making and find out how qvevri are made; Visit a 300-year-old winery and sample wines that have been stored underground; Dive into a delicious Georgian mtsvadi (barbecue) and participate in a traditional bread-baking ceremony; Taste homemade wine and brandy; Explore historic sites like the Gremi Architectural Royal Complex and the romantic town of Sighnaghi.

Inclusion
Local English-speaking guide; Entrance fees; Lunch; Hotel drop off.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation
Available Tuesday through Sunday departing at 8:30am.

Duration
Approximately 11 hours.

Location
Tour departs from Tourism Information center in Pushkini Park, at Freedom Square; Tour ends at your hotel.

Itinerary
Fun fact: Georgia has been producing wine for 8,000 years, and boasts more than 500 species of vines. Seriously. So, obviously, you can’t leave Tbilisi without tasting some of that sweet, sweet nectar.
Your wine tour will take you to Eastern Georgia, a region famous for its wine production — and therefore the perfect place to sample some local wines! Your drive will take you through the Gombori Pass, boasting charming, curling hills and beautiful views, then on to visit a farmer who will teach you how qvevri, the clay vessel for fermenting and storing wine under the ground, are made. The qvevri wine-making method is on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list, and a distinct part of Georgian culture that can’t be missed.
We’ll then leave the village and head out to explore the Royal Citadel and Church of Archangels in the fairy tale-like Gremi Architectural Complex. Gremi was a Silk Road town and the capital of Kakheti (Eastern Georgia) in the 16th and 17th centuries.
No doubt hungry after exploring, we’ll head to a nearby village for lunch. We’ll be dining at another farmer’s house, where you will see how traditional bread is baked and the famous Georgian mtsvadi is made. This delicious lunch will be accompanied by homemade wine and brandy, and honey will be served as dessert. Be warned, though, that you’ll need to put your public speaking skills on display. Georgians love to make toasts, and we’re going to get acquainted with the Georgian tradition as our toastmaster (Tamada) leads us through the rounds.
After lunch, we’ll visit an old winery where you’ll drink typical Georgian wine straight from the jar (really, the only way to drink, we say!), and learn how Georgian wine-making methods vary from the European techniques.
We’ll finish it all up with a stroll through the romantic fortified town of Sighnaghi. We’ll walk along its beautiful cobbled streets, and take in stunning views of the surrounding Caucasus Mountains before returning to Tbilisi.

Additional Information
As we will be visiting local homes, please dress modestly. A safe bet is to opt for a long dress or pants and covered shoulders. Women may want to carry a scarf in case they’d like to cover their hair.

Participant restrictions
Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Policies
Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**