Legends of Fall in Kakheti! Autumn Trips with Caucasus Travellers' Club 15.11.2006 Kakheti. Wine-making has always been a traditional occupation of the Georgian people. Georgian wines from Kakheti were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. This is here - the tradition of vine-growing and wine-making have remained intact passing from forefathers. This is here we say - "in vinas veritas" - the truth is in wine. Geography: South-eastern province of Georgia which borders the Great Caucasus Range. Rivers:the Alazani river, the Iori river. Climate: the climate and soil conspire to make the grape king in Alazani river Valley, while in the Iori Plateau a dry climate predominates and is grown corn and wheat. Transportation: Roads are smooth in most Kakheti, only David-Gareja and Kiziki are to be reached by 4x4 in bad weather. Accommodation facilities: Private houses in Telavi, / shared facilities, hotel "Rebi" in Gurjaani. Season: Autumn, "Rtveli" time throughout the country, is of particular importance here as every family has its secrets of wine-making. Catering facilities: restaurants and cafes in Telavi, Gurjaani and Signagi. Highlights and History: Kakheti formed a part of Kartli-Iberia and was governed as a separate duchy. During the centuries the province changed hands of invaders from different countries. But anyway, the history of Kakheti as well as the history of Georgia has been interwoven with the roots of vine. David-Gareja. Cave-monastery of David-Gareja. Monastery of the Lavra, where monks live at present, founded in the 6th c. and extended in the 9th c. and in the 11-12th cc. A large number of wall-paintings created by the school of artists resident here in the Middle Ages are still to be seen in the caves and are a record of specifically Georgian iconography and are picked out in brilliant splashes of colour. The front parts of the rooms have collapsed Ninostminda ( 6th c.). Beside the church is a tall brick bell-tower built in the 16th c. The tower has living rooms on three floors. The brickwork on the facades is remarkable. Signagi. The Royal town (18th c.) surrounded by a defense wall with 23 towers. The town has many gates through which Georgia was connected with Asia and Europe by various trade routes. Tsinandali. Museum of Kakhetian prince of the 18th c Chavchavadze, beautiful park, one of the oldest wine cellars (19th c) founded by the Chavchvadze family. Basilica at Gurjaani. Two-domed 8th c. brick and rock basilica at Gurjaani is the only Georgian church with two domes and palace architecture. Gremi. Kakheti is particular rose to prominence in the 16th c., in the reign of Leon I. Gremi became the capital, and remained so up to the time of the devastating military incursions of Shah Abbas I, when the distinction passed to Telavi. The best preserved part of Gremi is the citadel, which includes the church of the Archangels and a dwelling tower. The remains of business establishments, a public bath-house and several parish churches survive in the town itself. The church was built in 1565, the wall-paintings decorating the interior date from 1577. The dwelling-tower is on three floors, with living and reception rooms, and terminates in the in a belfry which was added later. Nekresi. Monastery complex with 4th c. church, 7th c. triple-church basilica, and domed church and bishop's palace from the 8-9th c. ; the tower of the palace was added in the 17th c. Alaverdi. Built in the first quarter of the 11th c., the church of Alaverdi stands proudly in the broad Alazani valley against the backdrop of the Caucasus foothills. Inside, the church was painted and the fragments of painting survived on some walls. A high defensive wall surrounds the church, enclosing also the palace which was on two floors. After doing the tour you will definitely think: "Blessed be these hands and people which squeezed the juice for this wine" Itinerary: Option 1. 2 Days Trip to Kakheti Day 1: Tbilisi - David-Gareja - Signagi - Bodbe - Telavi (290km) Day 2: Visiting Alaverdi, Ikalto, Gremi, Nekresi, Tsinandali, Ninotsminda. David Gareja and Nekresi complexes are accessible on foot. Option 2. 1 Day Trip to Kakheti Tbilisi, Bodbe, Signagi, Alavrdi, Telavi, Tsinandali - Tbiliisi. Note: 1 day trip requires early departure from Tbilisi and full day excursion. Round trip 9-10 hours. For more details contact Caucasus Travel New office at online@caucasustravel.com, Address: #3, Lesia Ukrainka str., 3rd fl. Tbilisi, Georgia, Phone: 995 32 987400/931175, Fax: 995 32 987399 By Ia Tabagari <<Previous Back to STORYS Next>>