Want to take a trip that feels like a journey back in time, with breathtaking views and glasses clinking with joy? Head to Kakheti, the enchanting pearl of Georgia in the Caucasus. With 8,000-year-old winemaking traditions, golden valleys, legendary cathedrals, festivals under the stars, and irresistible cuisine (hello chakapuli), this region checks all the boxes for a memorable journey. Follow the guide: we reveal the best reasons to visit Kakheti and how to make the most of it.
The oldest wine tradition in the world
The cradle of wine and the art of qvevri
It is said that wine flows through the veins of Georgia: in Kakheti, it’s no legend. Here, wine has been made for about 8,000 years using qvevri, these large buried clay vessels where grapes ferment naturally. The result: deep reds like Saperavi, crisp whites like Rkatsiteli, and a palette of flavors as generous as the smiles of the winemakers.
Wine estates-museums and living heritage
Each estate is an open book on history. At the iconic Tsinandali Estate, a pioneer in introducing European methods two centuries ago, you move from the cellars to the gardens like in an open-air museum. Between commented tastings and sips “at the source” directly from the barrel, you will touch the winemaking soul of Kakheti.
Mind-blowing (with happiness) landscapes
Between Caucasus and Alazani valley
Here, nature plays on all fronts: endless lines of vines, golden fields, snowy peaks. The peaks of the Caucasus stand majestically in the background, while the Alazani river sparkles like a ribbon of gold at sunset. It’s the postcard that comes to life before your eyes, glass in hand.
Hikes in Lagodekhi, waterfalls, and primeval forest
Want to traverse paths fragrant with moss and fresh water? Lagodekhi National Park unfolds its trails, waterfalls, and wildlife — deer, wild boars, birds — for walks where you can breathe deeply. The views open up over the valley like a curtain slowly being lifted.
A sunset to sip
From the terrace of the Radisson Collection Tsinandali Estate, the twilight show is a delightful habit: vineyards as far as the eye can see, distant mountains, and that suspended moment when you savor a chilled white wine while the sky turns red… Romanticism, Georgian style.
A journey through the living history of Georgia
The cathedral of Alaverdi, benevolent giant
Founded in the 6th century, the Alaverdi cathedral looms over the plain like a sentinel. Its stones have seen it all: kingdoms, invasions, harvests, and prayers. You can feel that unique blend of grandeur and serenity that makes Georgian monuments livable places.
Gremi, royal ghost of Kakheti
Head to the former capital, Gremi: a fortress, a bell tower, ruins that tell the story of a glorious era. As you climb its steps, you read the history engraved in the bricks, with the valley in panoramic view as the final chapter.
Sighnaghi, balcony over the Alazani valley
Perched on its hill, Sighnaghi enchants with its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and walls that wind like a sleeping dragon. Here, time drifts, and you with it.
An event calendar that resonates
The Tsinandali Festival, music under the stars
Every September, classical music fills the gardens of Tsinandali. Imagine: an outdoor orchestra, constellations for a ceiling, vines for backdrops. People come for the high-caliber programming, and they stay for the magic of the place.
Rtveli, the grape harvest festival
From the end of summer to autumn, Rtveli gets everyone to work and dance: we pick, we press, we sing, we toast. Yes, you can get your hands (and feet) involved: fragrant with grapes, light-hearted, that’s the recipe for Kakhetian happiness.
Local flavors: the reign of chakapuli
The signature dish that smells like spring
A star on the tables, chakapuli is a stew of lamb where fresh herbs, green plums, garlic, and white wine intertwine. It’s the region on your plate: tonic, aromatic, generous. Traditionally spring-like, it is now enjoyed year-round.
Pairings that make taste buds dance
Pair chakapuli with a dry Saperavi for red wine lovers, or with a vibrant Mtsvane for white. The wines of Kakheti do not just accompany the meal: they tell its story.
Practical information to plan your getaway
Getting to Tbilisi, the gateway to Kakheti
From Europe, it’s easy to reach Tbilisi. British Airways offers direct flights from London Heathrow several times a week (up to four times), perfect for treating yourself to a long weekend before heading to the vineyards of Kakheti.
Sleeping amidst the vineyards
For a total immersion, the Radisson Collection Tsinandali Estate places your luggage among the historic gardens and cellars. You can enjoy both the design and the view, with the Alazani valley as a permanent panorama.
