Kvareli

Kvareli attracts visitors with its deep-rooted winemaking traditions and dramatic natural surroundings. Located in the Alazani Valley, it is famously the birthplace of the renowned Kindzmarauli semi-sweet red wine. Travelers come here not only for wine tasting but also to experience the serene Kvareli Lake and Ilia Lake, which offer impressive views of the Greater Caucasus mountains. Beyond wine and nature, the town is rich in history. The impressive Kvareli Fortress stands proudly in the town center, and the nearby Nekresi Monastery provides fascinating historical insights along with panoramic valley vistas. Visitors can also explore the house museum of the famous Georgian writer Ilia Chavchavadze, which provides a glimpse into the country's cultural heritage. Reaching Kvareli is straightforward, typically taking about two hours by car or marshrutka from Tbilisi. The region features excellent gastronomy, featuring traditional Kakhetian barbecue (mtsvadi) and freshly baked shoti bread. The best time to visit is during the autumn grape harvest (Rtveli), when the town comes alive with festivities, or in late spring for lush, green landscapes.

Nearby cities

Telavi

Telavi is the historical and administrative center of the Kakheti wine region.

Sagarejo

Sagarejo is the gateway to the Kakheti wine region and a city with an agricultural character.

Gurjaani

Gurjaani is a lively winemaking center in the Kakheti region, surrounded by endless vineyards.

Lopota Lake

An idyllic resort lake in Kakheti, surrounded by forested mountains.

Omalo

Omalo is the principal village of the remote Tusheti region, accessible only in summer.

History & landmarks

Sighnaghi City Wall

The impressive city wall of Sighnaghi stretches for over four kilometers around the picturesque town.

Nature

Alazani River

The Alazani is the most important river in the eastern Georgian wine region of Kakheti.

More places

Kakheti Vineyards

The endless vineyards in the Alazani Valley form the agricultural heart of Georgian wine production.

Gremi Archangels' Church

Gremi was the flourishing capital of the Kingdom of Kakheti in the 16th century.

Mount Diklosmta

Mount Diklosmta rises powerfully on the border between Georgia and Russia.

Tusheti National Park

Hidden on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus, Tusheti National Park is a place of rugged beauty and deep-rooted alpine traditions.

Alaverdi Monastery

The impressive Alaverdi Cathedral in the heart of the fertile Alazani Valley was the tallest church building in Georgia until the 21st ce…

Iori Plateau

The Iori Plateau in southeastern Georgia stretches as a vast steppe and semi-desert landscape between the Kura and Alazani rivers.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas

Lagodekhi is the oldest nature reserve in Georgia, located on the eastern flank of the Caucasus.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas

One of the oldest nature reserves in the Caucasus captivates with its primeval forests and spectacular waterfalls.