Eastern Wine Country

Kakheti Travel Guide

The birthplace of wine — 8,000 years of qvevri tradition in one valley.

Kakheti is Georgia's largest wine region — a 100-km-long valley east of Tbilisi where 8,000-year-old qvevri winemaking (fermenting grape juice underground in clay vessels) is still practiced by nearly every family. UNESCO added the qvevri method to its Intangible Heritage list in 2013. The region covers Sighnaghi, Telavi, Kvareli, and dozens of tiny villages, and produces about two-thirds of all Georgian wine. Rtveli — the September–October grape harvest — is the single most sought-after cultural experience in the country.

Top things to do in Kakheti

1.Sighnaghi hilltop town + sunset over Alazani Valley
2.Bodbe Monastery — burial site of St. Nino
3.Alaverdi Cathedral — monks make wine in qvevri here
4.Tsinandali Estate — 19th-century Chavchavadze palace and wine museum
5.Winery-hopping in Telavi, Kvareli, and Napareuli
6.Rtveli harvest experience in September–October

Best time to visit

May–June (green valley, flower blossoms) and September–October (rtveli harvest).

Getting there

1.5–2 hours from Tbilisi by car, marshrutka, or organized tour.

Where to stay

Sighnaghi for atmosphere (1 night), Telavi for winery access (2 nights), or Kvareli Lake Resort for luxury.

How many days

2–3 days for a proper Kakheti wine circuit.

Deep-dive guides for Kakheti

Four dedicated pages with everything a first-time visitor needs.

→ Things to Do in Kakheti → How to Get to Kakheti → Best Time to Visit Kakheti → Kakheti Tours from Tbilisi

Frequently asked questions about Kakheti

Is Kakheti wine tour worth it?

For anyone who drinks wine, yes — Georgia is arguably the oldest continuous winemaking tradition in the world and the qvevri method is unlike anything in France or Italy.

Can I visit Kakheti as a day trip?

Yes, and thousands do — a standard 1-day tour covers Sighnaghi, Bodbe, and one winery. But 2 nights lets you actually explore.