GEORGIA - Kakheti Wineries & Sighnaghi

15:31 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Kakheti is Georgia's fertile wine region with beautiful monasteries and wineries. Georgia is the birth place of wine making and archaeologist found the oldest traces of wine production in Georgia dating back to more than 5000 BC.

Alaverdi Cathedral is situated 20km northwest of Telavi. It is founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph Alaverdei who settled in a former pagan village and converted people to Christianity.

Restorative project of Alaverdi Monastry.

Wrap around skirts for women who are wearing pants before they can enter the church.

It was raining in that morning. Not much people visiting the cathedral.

The cathedral has been damaged several times by earthquakes. The present day cathedral was built in the 11th century by Kvirike III of Kakheti, replacing an older church of St. George.

The monks also make their own wine from their own vineyard.

The entrance door to the cathedral.

The Virgin and Child above the altar is from 11th century. Whitewashing in the 19th century is another form of damage and it was not until 1966 that it was partially rectified and some frescoes uncovered.

The residence of the monks.

The high fortress wall.

After visiting Alaverdi Cathedral, we moved on to Tsinandali Family Estate for some wine tasting.

A friendly dog greeted us outside the Tsinandali Family Estate

This estate and historic winery belongs to one of the most beloved and notable Georgian families – the 19th century poet, public figure and Kakhetian prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786 – 1846).

The estate consists of summer home, garden and winery.

This house-museum set in an ornamental garden is well worth a visit and it is open to the public for free.

There are many fine examples of rare trees including umbrella pines, cedars, magnolia and lime trees, as well as bamboos and palms in the garden.

First, we visited the wine tasting room in the museum while waiting for our English speaking guide.

I was surprised to know that the wine industry is a traditional component of the Georgian economy. This is my first time tasting a Georgian wine and it is good.

It is famous for its white wine although red wine is also available for tasting.

Checking out the wine’s price.

I bought a bottle of white wine after the wine tasting (first bottle on the left in the picture).

These series of wine is premium and slightly pricey. 1814 vintage is the oldest white wine in its collection but it is not included for our wine tasting.

Finally it is our turn to be led by the guide to visit the first floor of the house-museum.

This is the meeting room with guest. All the furniture are original. Photos are actually not allowed to be taken at the upper floor of the house. My hubby took these photos in secrecy.

A long corridor that leads to several rooms.

Reading room.

The bedroom.

Small dining room.

And this is the vintage dress worn by Nino Chavchavadze. There’s a touching yet tragic love story behind this beauty. Four months after her marriage with Alexandre Griboedov and with her expecting a child, her husband was assassinated in Tehran. The death of her husband affected her deeply; she prematurely gave birth to a son who lived only a few hours. Although only 16 at the time of her husband’s death and still surrounded by many admirers, Nino never remarried.

Chavchavadze’s family tree.

This section of the house is newly built as an extension to the original summer house.

My face is a bit red after the wine tasting. Haha.

The wine tasting didn’t end at Tsinandali Family Estate. We proceeded to another winery.

This one is smaller in comparison and home brewed.

Lots of vintage things inside for display including a vintage camera.

The wine tasting area with kitchen.

Georgian wine is actually very famous. It may be little known to many people, but Georgian wine remains the best wine among the 280 million people in the former Soviet Union.

Known as the Riviera of the Soviet Union, Georgia is renowned for its cuisine and wine.

The Russians may love Vodka, but Georgian wines were favoured by the Soviet elite.

With over 500 variety of grapes, you’ll be sure to find a wine you like. I definitely love Georgian wine.

A portion of wine making process.

These ornamented horns are used as wine containers.

A lady explaining the wine making.

The wine cellars.

Grapes could still be seen inside this wine cellar after the cover was removed.

Underground wine storage.

The wine bottles are all in Georgian language.

Other than wine, they also produced Chacha (Georgian vodka). Beware: Chacha is very high in alcohol content, much stronger than vodka. My beau tried it and felt as though something was burning in his stomach.

Fresh grapes to go with the wine. Perfect.

Say cheese… Couldn’t resist to pretend taking one last photo with the vintage camera before we left. We were half drunk when we left except for our tour guide who was driving.

Then we’re off to the road again, heading towards Sighnaghi.

Sighnaghi is famous for its wine and carpet making culture. The view overlooking the Alazani valley was said to be breath-taking and it attracts lots of tourist during summer. Unfortunately the fog was thick and it was raining when we got there.

It was cold and wet. We could hardly see anything, surrounded by the thick fog.

We stopped over at a restaurant for lunch.

Ordered a spinach salad. Wrong choice for us as we were not accustomed to the taste of cold minced vegetable.

The hot dishes: fried potatoes and chicken dish were more suited to our taste.

We also ordered some barbequed pork. Yummy.

Hotel Signagi.

Sighnaghi was said to be a lover’s town. So we took a picture here to commemorate our love as a couple.

The fog sure was bad.

On the way to Bodbe Nunnery which is 2km away.

The map of Bodbe Nunnery.

Bodbe Nunnery is a place of pilgrimage because it is where St. Nino, the 4th century female evangelist of Georgians is buried.

Bodbe Nunnery is nested among tall Cypress trees on a steep hillside.

The monastery was closed down in 1924 by the Soviet government who converted it into a hospital. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was resumed as a convent.