Kakheti: Sighnaghi, Bodbe & Telavi Wine Tour from Tbilisi

Summary

Wander pastel streets in Sighnaghi, taste Kakheti wine, visit Bodbe Monastery & Telavi with a local guide

You’ll taste warm Georgian bread in Badiauri, wander Sighnaghi’s pastel streets, visit Bodbe Monastery’s peaceful grounds, and sample Kakheti wines in Telavi with a local guide. Expect laughter over homemade chacha and views across Alazani Valley that linger long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect the smell of baking bread to hit me so hard when we rolled into Badiauri village. Our guide, Nino, waved us over to this little bakery where the oven looked ancient and the baker’s hands moved so fast. We tried warm bread with salty cheese (I think it was sulguni?), and honestly, I could’ve just stayed there all morning. But she nudged us on — “there’s more to see!”

Bodbe Monastery was next, tucked into green hills above the Alazani Valley. It felt quiet, almost heavy with history. Nino told us about Saint Nino (same name as her — she grinned), and how people come here to make wishes. The air smelled like wet stone and grass after a short rain. I’m not religious but there was something about it that made me pause a bit longer than usual.

Sighnaghi is called the City of Love but what stuck with me were its faded pink houses and the way old men played backgammon on the steps. We walked along part of Georgia’s “Great Wall” — not as high as I’d imagined but you can see all across the valley if you squint past the haze. Lunch wasn’t included but we found a spot where they poured homemade wine in mismatched glasses. The wine tour part really kicked off in Telavi; we tasted three kinds of Kakheti wine and chacha in a cool cellar that smelled faintly of earth and apples. Someone tried to teach me a toast in Georgian — I definitely got it wrong but everyone laughed anyway.

The drive back through Gombori Pass was quiet except for churchkhela (those nutty sweets) sticking to my teeth and Nino humming softly up front. There’s something about watching vineyards slip by at dusk that makes you want to come back someday, even if you’re not sure when.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kakheti wine region and sights

• Visit local bakery and taste bread
• Tour Bodbe Convent and take photos
• Walk in Sighnaghi and see Great Wall
• Visit Sighnaghi Museum
• See 900-year-old tree in Telavi
• Taste wine and chacha in cellar
• Lunch with views of Caucasus Mountains

Top questions

How long is the Kakheti wine tour from Tbilisi?

The day trip lasts around 10-12 hours including stops at Badiauri village, Bodbe Monastery, Sighnaghi, Telavi, and local wineries before returning to Tbilisi.

Is lunch included on this Kakheti day trip?

No, lunch is not included in the price but there are opportunities to buy lunch during the tour at local restaurants or cafes.

What kind of wine do you taste on this tour?

You’ll taste several types of traditional Kakheti wines plus chacha (Georgian grape spirit) at cellars in Manavi and Sighnaghi.

Does this tour include hotel pickup from Tbilisi?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation in Tbilisi is included for this Kakheti wine tour.

Are entrance fees covered on this day trip?

All entrance fees for monasteries, museums or tastings are included in your booking price.

Can children join this Kakheti wine tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Do you visit any monasteries or historical sites?

Yes, Bodbe Monastery near Sighnaghi is included along with stops at Ujarma fortress ruins and other cultural sites depending on timing.

Is public transportation available nearby if I don’t want hotel pickup?

Public transportation options are available near some meeting points; check when booking for details.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Tbilisi, all entry fees for monasteries and museums along the route, free tastings of Kakheti wine and chacha at cellars in Manavi and Sighnaghi (plus churchkhela sweets), WiFi onboard your vehicle, guidance from a knowledgeable local host throughout the journey — then return transport back to Tbilisi by evening.