Off to Khakheti, The birth place of Georgian Wine

Temo was on time to pick us from the hotel. It was another long drive to Telavi. But a different one. For the first time we could see acres and acres of vineyards all over the place. But winter is the season where the Georgians enjoy the wine made out of their own harvest. So it was less greens in the vineyards.

And then we arrived at Tinikos Guest House. The Guest house is owned by Tarieli and Tiniko after whom the hotel has been named, "Tiniko's Guest House". We were offered a beautiful room made up in royal style. The purple wall papers and the purple bed linen and the super comfy massive bed made us love the room. Tiniko's daughter Diana and grandson Guga helped us to move our luggage and then we were offered tea with cakes and biscuits in the warm and cozy kitchen at Tiniko's Guest House.

Later another couple who were also guests joined us. Nora was from Chile and Roman was from Kazakhstan. They were so thrilled to hear that we were from Sri Lanka as they have visited Sri Lanka before. They were so cheerily telling us about their experience in Sri Lanka. Diana was helping us out with the tours and places to see as she works for the Telavi tourist help desk. And her dad takes guests on tours for very very affordable prices. So we decided to visit the Twin's old cellar in Napareuli today itself so that we could go to Sighnani the next day with Roman and Nora.

The drive to Napareuli was so beautiful with the lush green valleys, lakes and herds of sheep enjoying the sunlight.

It was another disappointment as Twin's old cellar was closed due to less tourists. So we decided to go to Kvareli Kindzmarauli Wine corporation. on the way Baby wanted to take a picture with the sheep so we stopped at one point. We slowly walked towards the shepherd and showed him in sign language that we want to carry one. With a grin on his face he caught one sheep for us. Oh my God it was so lovely to hold that wooly wooly creature. Baby thoroughly enjoyed the sheep holding moment.

On the way to Kvareli we saw the Gremi church. Upon arriving at the Kindzmarauli Wine corporation we were given a tour guide to assist us through the Wine cellar. We were told about the traditional method of Georgian wine making which is in a qvevri buried underground so that the fermentation process happens naturally. After the wine cellar tour we went in to the restaurant for wine degustation. We tasted Kisi, a semi sweet wine the name of which i don't remember and 16/16. After purchasing so many bottles of wine we came back to the guest house.

And then we went out to a restaurant recommended by Tarieli for dinner and once again the Georgian pot pie satisfied our taste buds beyond expectations.

After going back home Tarieli wanted us to join in for dinner with them and a gallon of wine was served. It was a happy unison of Nora, Roman, Tarieli, Tiniko, Booboo and Baby.