Kakheti Private Wine Tour: Signagi, Bodbe & Telavi Experience

Summary

Discover Kakheti: Wine Tasting, Georgian Cuisine & Historic Sights

You’ll walk ancient monastery grounds, taste homemade wines in family cellars, learn to cook khinkali with locals, and soak up mountain views—all in one day across Kakheti’s sunlit valleys.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Kakheti always smells a bit like wildflowers and fresh bread. We started at Bodbe Monastery, where Saint Nino rests—our guide Tamuna shared stories about her childhood visits here and the legend of why Nino chose this spot. There’s a quiet hush inside the church, broken only by soft prayers echoing off the stone walls. I dipped my hands into the spring water outside—cold enough to wake you up fast—and watched a few locals filling bottles to take home.

Signagi feels like it belongs somewhere between Tuscany and a Georgian fairy tale. Cobbled streets twist past pastel houses with wooden balconies. You’ll hear birds and maybe an accordion player near the main square. We wandered along the fortress wall (it really does go on forever) and caught our first glimpse of the Alazani Valley—patchwork fields stretching out under a big blue sky. Lunch was at Nana’s place; she let us help shape khinkali dumplings while her husband poured homemade wine into mismatched glasses. The table filled up with cheese, tomatoes that tasted like sunshine, and warm shoti bread straight from the tone oven.

On our way to Telavi, we stopped at a roadside bakery where you can watch shoti bread slapped onto clay walls—it smells nutty and earthy when it comes out. There was also a quick cheese tasting; salty, crumbly stuff made right there by a family who’s been doing it for generations. The real highlight? The winery visit. Local winemakers explained how they use qvevri—those huge clay pots buried underground—to make wine just like their grandparents did. We tried six kinds: some bold reds, crisp whites, even chacha (that’ll warm you up). I liked listening to their stories as much as sipping the wine.

Before heading back, we drove up to Gombor Pass—1620 meters high—and stepped out into chilly mountain air that smelled faintly of pine needles. There’s a tiny stall where you can grab hot tea or coffee while looking out over rolling hills dotted with sheep. On the way down, we got to see how churchkhela is made (the grape juice and nuts treat) and had another go at baking shoti bread ourselves—my loaf came out lopsided but tasted perfect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kakheti Wine and Cultural Tour

• Visit Bodbe Monastery and holy spring
• Explore Sighnaghi Italian-style streets and lunch
• See Georgian bread and cheese making
• Wine tasting at local winery
• Enjoy views and tea at Gombor pasture
• Attend Churchkheli and bread master classes

Top questions

Is this private tour suitable for families with kids?

Absolutely! The pace is relaxed and there are hands-on activities like bread making that kids usually love. Specialized infant seats are available too.

Can I join if I don’t drink alcohol?

No problem—you can skip tastings or try local juices instead. There’s plenty to enjoy beyond wine.

How much walking is involved?

You’ll stroll through towns and monastery grounds but nothing too strenuous. Most places are accessible for all fitness levels.

Do guides speak English?

Yes! Our guides are fluent in English (and other languages if needed), so you won’t miss any details or stories along the way.

What’s included

This tour covers private transport with WiFi onboard, an expert local guide throughout the day, all tastings (wine, cheese), lunch at a family-run restaurant, plus hands-on masterclasses for shoti bread and churchkhela making. Tea or coffee at Gombor Pass is included too.