The Delightful Beauties of Kakheti

The views in the Alazan Valley are amazing! And it is called so after the name of the Alazani River. This wonderful valley is perfect for viticulture - everything came together wonderfully: the clearest water of mountain rivers, healing mountain air, suitable soil and gentle valley climate.
Did you know that a true winegrower does not water his bushes? So that the roots grow deep and absorb water with minerals dissolved in it from the very depths of the rock. That's it! In the Alazan Valley there are about 40 varieties of endemic grape varieties just for wine.

Above the Alazani Valley is the Bodbia Monastery, where the relics of Saint Nina rest. There she worshipped at the end of her earthly life. Later a church was founded there, and later a monastery. In the Middle Ages, kings of Catechism were anointed there. During the Soviet times the monastery was abolished. Nowadays it is restored. Not far from the monastery there is a holy spring. You can take a dip in the water.

And now we are heading to the city of fairy tales. Sighnaghi is called the city of love. Here you can register your marriage at any time of the day or night! Probably the only city in the world where the wedding palace never closes, 24 hours a day it is open. A sculpture of Don Quixote meets us at the city gate... But, excuse me, this is not Spain! On closer inspection, it turned out that instead of a spear he had an umbrella, and in the other hand he had a suitcase. It is clear, a tourist! Just like us. Only we on a car, he on a donkey. That's why he is so slim! He is riding leisurely in the fresh air, moving around, observing the beauty of the Alazan Valley...
And we are going to climb the city fortification walls. The fortress is unique because it was built by King Irakli II in 17-18 cc and almost fully preserved! It stood at the crossroads of trade routes and protected the inhabitants from raids and looting. It is possible to walk along the wall, there are handy railings for safety and look down on the city and Alazan valley. There are watchtowers along the perimeter of the wall. The red tiled roofs of the houses, the view of the mountains and the valley, give the impression of an Italian landscape, but no, dear ones, you are in Georgia. From Sighnaghi, you can see both the valley and the main Caucasus Range.

How can you be in the Alazan Valley and not visit a winery? That's right, you can't.
We will go to see the process of making local wine, and then we will have a tasting and a delicious lunch. You can buy wine as a gift. Try and buy the one you like.

We slowly move on, and here we are in the world-famous Tsinandali. What can you do, there is history everywhere, everything is saturated with history, and Tsinandali is the family estate of Princes Chavchavadze. Nina Chavchavadze was for a very short time the wife of our diplomat Griboyedov.
The estate is now a museum. Around the estate is a beautiful garden, where grows bamboo, shapely cypresses, ancient firs of different varieties, plane trees, there is a green labyrinth. And a walk through the garden is ennobled by the beautiful music, which pours from the speakers, disguised as stones... You can enter the house-museum, take a tour or wander around on your own. Interesting. The house of gray stone and red brick, with a white terrace takes us back to the time the Chavchavadze family spent there.
The wine cellars in the estate are surprisingly good quality. How else could it be, if you are at the place of production of one of the most famous wines in the world! Tsinandali is a white, dry wine. It was Alexander Chavchavadze, the first owner of the estate and Nino's father, who built 1 winery and opened Tsinandali to the world.

From Tsinandali drive to the palace of King Irakli II of Kakheti. Now here are the palace itself, the archaeological and ethnographic museum and the art gallery.
King Irakli II of Kakheti was an outstanding statesman, both in foreign and domestic policy, and grateful descendants honor his memory. The palace was built in the traditions of Iranian architecture in the late 17th century. And, of course, in the tradition of those turbulent times, the residence was surrounded by a fortress.

We often saw this ancient monastery in panoramic pictures, and we couldn't help but stop by. It is majestic and tranquil, like the mountains not far away, surrounded by a fortress wall. You can drive up to the very gates of the monastery.
The monastery was founded in the VI century, and the St. George's Cathedral was built in the XI century. The monastery survived many misfortunes: the Persian and bellicose highlanders raids, as well as earthquakes and closure in Soviet times. But since 1990s the monastery has been gradually reviving. In spite of the active destruction, the general view of the cathedral was preserved, and many frescoes inside. At the monastery there is a museum of grapes.

After a great trip, we'll freshen up at the hotel and head out for dinner.

We will definitely get spoiled on this trip. And we will return home as avid gourmands. Meat dishes, unparalleled wine, delicious cheeses (we tried several varieties). Tbilisi, you never cease to amaze...

And a well-deserved rest after so many experiences!