Our first winery. A small, family run winery. Nikolai, affectionately called Coco, was our driver and de facto guide for the day.The landscape is beautiful this time of year. It is autumn in the Kakheti region too.Mike strolling around the property.Qvevri.The harvest is complete. These grapes are for the birds. Here we were introduced to the ancient Georgian wine making process.The people of Kakheti love Erekle II. Heraclius (Erekle) II, King of Kartli and Kakheti, was born in 1720, in Telavi. During his reign he achieved many victories and became a legend. He first participated in a battle at the age of 15, and appeared to be a great warrior despite of being not tall or too athletic, which is why the people lovingly referred to him as “The Little Kakhetian”. In Georgia, thrown into chaos by conquest, there had not been a Christian king on the throne of Kartli since 1632, about a century before, when, on the first day of October in 1745, Erekle’s father, Teimuraz II, was crowned King of Kartli in Svetitskhoveli. Erekle II was proclaimed King of Kakheti. And the love affair began.Many traditional winemaking tools are still in use today here in Georgia. Wooden pitchforks, gourds, slabs of cherry bark and other tools are still in use when it comes to winemaking using qvevris. Check out this antique grape press.Chacha pot.Qvevri room. The ones with wicker tops are in the fermentation process and need to be stirred every few days.
I’m a honorary Georgian.Mike and I enjoying our first tasting. Rkatsiteli white; saperavi, red/black with cheese and bread. In the lovely decanter was their homemade brandy (amber color) and chacha (clear).On our way to the second winery. Sheep herding. It’s a real thing in Georgia.Khareba Winery. An award winning winery about 40 minutes from Sighnaghi. Three of their award winning wines. Two were blends. Monastery qvevri wine. All delicious!
Kvareli Wine Cave is built on the edge of Alazani Valley. The cave, carved into the Caucasus rock massif, was opened in 1962 specifically for the World Congress of Vine and Wine. Stunning.
We loved the mushrooms so much, we decided to end our day back at Pheasant’s Tears for more and this time accompanied them with a beet salad.
Back to Tbilisi late. Mike has to work tomorrow—somebody’s gotta work. 😉
Dream to Travel from NCM 