We had a cozy two-night stay at Schuchmann Wine Chateau, located in the Kakheti Valley just outside the town of Telavi, Georgia. We had a lot of family laughs playing UNO: Show’em No Mercy card game and enjoying their fine wines and French fries. Nadia and I worked out in the adequate gym in the morning before we left to explore more of the area. Housekeeping and reception took good care of us and the rooms were comfortable with beautiful balcony views of the snow-capped mountains. I highly recommend staying here if you are visiting the area.
In the afternoon, we drove to the tourist town of Sighnaghi. It is located on a steep hill overlooking the Alazani Valley in the heart of Georgia’s wine-growing region. King Heraclius II of Georgia commissioned a fortress on this high ground in 1762 to protect the town from marauding Dagestani tribesmen coming over the beautiful Caucasus Mountains. The town is probably nicer in the summer. It was cold and muddy, but we did have an exquisite meal at the Pheasant’s Tears Winery.
We finished our tour by visiting the Badbe Monastery. It is the burial site of Saint Nino, who died between 338 and 340 CE. King Mirian III built a monastery on the site. Georgian kings chose the site for coronations during the medieval period. The atheist government of the Soviets converted it to a hospital. It has been restored since independence and is a tourist and pilgrimage site today. It looked to be a functioning monastery with brothers and sisters living, working, and praying on the grounds. We made it there near sunset in time for lighing perfect for photography.
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