Tsinandali Palace

Our first stop will be Tsinandali Palace, Tsinandali Estate located in the heartland of wine producing region of Kakheti was among domains of Chavchavadze princely family for centuries, but true revival of the Estate is linked with the name of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786-1846) son of diplomat and statesman Prince Garsevan, he turned this picturesque Estate into the center of cultural life of Georgia. Princely family famous for fostering European culture was first to produce European style wine and first to encourage European classical music; First ever grand piano in Georgia is still on display in Tsinandali. Estate was frequented by men of arts and sciences, visited among others by Alexander Dumas Sr. and Alexander Pushkin, as well as virtually every Georgian poet of the period. Prince Alexander, poet, wine enthusiast and occasional rebel was active in all social developments of the epoch. His involvement in anti-Russian rebellions was treated with far more mercy as a result of him being godson of Empress Catherine the II, which made him engage in one rebellion after the other. Father figure of Georgian Romanticism and founder of modern Georgian winemaking he was a member of Légion d'honneur and received numerous other honors and decorations for his civil and military career.

Telavi

Telavi, the capital of the Eastern province of Kakheti, is home to several of the region’s world-famous wineries, art museums, castles and a theater highlighting folk singing and dancing. Telavi is located at the crossroad of the region and is an ideal place to stop for lunch.