We flew into Tbilisi, Georgia and drove to Sighnaghi for a few days to explore the wine region with Jo before she is back at work. Wine production is said to have begun in Georgia, and we had the opportunity to visit wineries which were still using traditional as well as modern methods to make millions of litres per year.

Our guesthouse host, George drove us to the wineries which were located along a wine trail over an hours drive from Sighnaghi. The fields were covered in vineyards as well as beautiful blossoms in pink and white. In the distance the snow capped Caucasus Mountains could be seen.

Our first stop was Winery Khareba. This winery had underground tunnels that kept the wine at a consistent temperature and housed thousands (or was it millions) of bottles, all with corks and needing to be turned twice a year! What a task!

Our next winery was a corporation which exported to many countries, but not Australia…yet. Our guide Maia, showed us the traditional clay pots which are buried in the ground and covered to allow fermentation to occur. Amazing. They also had a cellar where people kept their purchased wine and collected it as required ( sometimes to sell when the price increased significantly).

Our third, and most interesting stop was at a Wine Museum, it was full of wine implements and all sorts of everyday items from the past. I loved it. PS. We did taste a few wines along the way…