Tbilisi, Capital of Georgia
Alaverdi Monastery with backdrop of Caucasus Mountains
Georgia
7 - 15 September 2012
Tim Clarke spent the spring of 2011 writing a wine tourism strategy for Georgia. In the course of this, he became convinced that it could be an amazing tour. There are some startling facts about Georgian wine. This small country in the far east of Europe, between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, has at least 520 native grape varieties, (this is the area that the grape vine originally came from); also considerable amounts of wine are still made in clay pots, or amphora, locally called ‘qvevries’, (kvevris) that they bury in the ground as they have since Neolithic man first made wine in the region.
The tour starts in the capital, Tbilisi, where we have a full day to explore, then moves to Kakheti in eastern Georgia, the main wine region. Visits start at Alaverdi Monastery and its winery beneath the towering Caucasus Mountains and follow with Orovela, Teliani Valley, Khareba, Marani, Schuchmann and Pheasant’s Tears. We discover the many grape varieties including the Viognier-like ‘Kisi’ and the ink-black ‘Saperavi’.
After this, we go to western Georgia, where we meet local winemakers for tastings over wonderful feasts. Along the way, we see ancient cave monasteries, castles and medieval Orthodox churches. Our last visit is lunch at Chateau Mukrhani, the re-founded C19th royal estate that won gold at the Paris Exhibition and is making fine wine once again.
At its highest expression, Wine Tourism is a quest for a more meaningful wine experience at the source. Georgia has a living wine culture that is strange and uplifting, and a direct connection to a past that is the source of everything in wine.
7 - 15 September 2012
£2,599.00 
per person
Places available.Price Includes:
Return scheduled flights London Heathrow – Tbilisi, all flight taxes.
4 nights 4* hotels and 4 nights 3* (some unclassified) hotels, breakfasts.
14 meals (some picnics), with wines.
Visits and tastings as per the itinerary.
Guided tour of Tbilisi & Mtskheta, entrance to 2 UNESCO sites and various historical sites.
Tim Clarke as Arblaster & Clarke Wine Guide and local Tour Manager.
No Flight Discount: £320 per person.
Upgrade to Business Class flight: £1400 per person. (Limited availability)
Travel: Return Flight London - TbilisiSole Occupancy: £350.00
Deposit: £500.00
Room Upgrade: n/a
Georgia
Outline Itinerary
Day 1. Morning departure London Heathrow, British Midland flight (BD929), 11.10, arriving 21:45, late evening arrival to Tbilisi, transfer to hotel. Overnight 4* hotel, Tbilisi.
Day 2. Sightseeing tour Tbilisi. Visits to historical sites. Lunch at restaurant in Tbilisi. Free afternoon in Tbilisi or guided shopping or walking tour Tbilisi. Introductory tasting at wine centre. Dinner in Mtskheta. Overnight 4* hotel, Tbilisi.
Day 3. Drive east from Tblisi to Kakheti, the main wine region where you are based for the next three days. Visit the Alaverdi Monastic wine cellar. Lunch at restaurant in Shuamta Forest tasting the fine wines wines of Orovela. Architectural visit in Ikalto. Check in to Telavi hotel. Dinner and wine tasting at the Schuchmann winery. Overnight 3* hotel, Telavi.
Day 4. Visit historical site. Wine visit at the Kindzmarauli winery. Tasting & lunch at Khareba winery. Travel to Sighnaghi and check in to hotel. Free time in Sighnaghi. Tasting and ‘supra’ dinner at the traditionalist Pheasant’s Tears winery. Overnight boutique hotel (3* equivalent), Sighnaghi.
Day 5. Sightseeing and museum visit in Sighnaghi. Travel to Tibaani vineyards and tasting (with vineyard tour). Visit wine cellars with Qvevri. Picnic lunch and tasting in vineyard. Free time in Sighnaghi (or carpet studio visit). Visit to castle. Dinner with traditional dishes from the Megrelian region. Overnight boutique hotel (3* equivalent), Sighnaghi.
Day 6. Check out of hotel and travel west to Kutaisi. Visit to Iago Wine Cellars including lunch at the winery. On to Kutaisi and check in to Guesthouse. Free time in Kutaisi. Tasting of artisan producers of Imeritan wines, including dinner with winemakers. Overnight guesthouse (3* equivalent), Kutaisi.
Day 7. Depart for Kartli, with a quick historical visit en-route. Lunch and tasting of the best West Georgian wines. Travel to Uplistsikhe, guided visit of the Uplistsikhe Cave monastery. Return to Tbilisi, check in to hotel. Relaxed evening with mezze dinner in Tbilisi. Overnight 4* hotel, Tbilisi.
Day 8. Guided walking tour of Mtskheta. Travel to Dzalisa, visit the Roman site with Mosaics of Bacchus. Tasting and lunch at Chateau Mukhrani. Return to Tbilisi for free time in the late afternoon. Farewell dinner. Overnight 4* hotel, Tbilisi.
Day 9. Early morning flight (BD928) Tbilisi departing 05.25, arriving London Heathrow at 10.30.
All flight/travel information is correct as of December 2011. This is not automatically updated throughout the year when timings change. Please check at the time of booking for up to date travel information.
Please note: More details on travel and hotel descriptions are to be confirmed, please call for more details.
