Roam
Georgia
Tbilisi and the Western Winelands 2024
June 8-16, 2024
Feast your way from the riverine capital Tbilisi to the miracles of Western Georgia, where cave monasteries and an ancient wine culture collide. Hosted and inspired by the adventure, curiosity, and connections of Georgia’s most celebrated chefs and winemakers.
Our Host
Activist, Bon Vivant
Natia Svanidze
Trip Guide
R&K Co-Founder
Nathan Thornburgh
R&K Trip Itinerary
There are few countries on earth with as fierce a hospitality culture as Georgia. Come experience the most well-connected week of insider access you can have to this incredible cuisine, shaped by the Silk Road and thousands of years of pride and innovation.
June 8-16, 2024
Day 1
Jun 8 Sat
A Tbilisi Welcome
- Stamba Hotel
- 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
- +995 32 202 11 99
- Welcome cocktails with Tekuna Gachicheladze and your hosts in the Ground Bar at the ultra-stylish Stamba Hotel
- Head to the village of Garikula, a rural escape for Tbilisi artists and creatives
- Our first dinner at the Nadimi Fire Food Feast, a gastronomic performance featuring five authentic open fire cooking methods, with a concert by the renowned contemporary Georgian artist, Tamada
Day 2
Jun 9 Sun
Tbilisi’s Finest
- Stamba Hotel
- 14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi, Georgia 0108
- +995 32 202 11 99
- Languorous breakfast at Stamba Hotel
- A walk through Dezerter Bazaar Market with writer Paul Rimple
- Lunch at the Shavi Lomi restaurant, under the celebrated chef Meriko Gubeladze
- Deep all-regions wine tasting at Stamba’s new wine bar
- Dinner at Salobie Bia hosted by Chef Giorgi Iosava featuring Georgian bean mastery (yes, it’s a thing here) and Jonjoli salad
Day 3
Jun 10 Mon
Into the Winelands
- Vazisubani Estate
- Vazisubani Estate Kakheti Region, Vazisubani, 1504
- 0353200222
- Private adjaruli khachapuri breakfast at Cafe Stamba
- Transfer to Kakheti wine region
- Wine tasting with Vincent Julliens at Lapati Wines, showcasing the art of making Qvevri wine
- A relaxing late lunch at Pheasant’s Tears in Sighnaghi with chef Gio Rokashvili, accompanied by one of Georgia’s best revival polyphonic choirs, Zedashe
- Check-in at Vazisubani Estate, an aristocratic rural retreat in Kakheti
Day 4
Jun 11 Tue
The Mighty Supra
- Vazisubani Estate
- Vazisubani Estate Kakheti Region, Vazisubani, 1504
- 0353200222
- Free morning for swimming, relaxing, or hiking
- Head out to Nekresi Monastery for a private tour and lunch at Nekresi Estate, hosted by Chef Tekuna Gachechiladze
- A mid-afternoon supra feast in wine country with Tekuna Gachechiladze and Irakli Bluishvili, winemaker behind Blui’s wines
Day 5
Jun 12 Wed
Kakheti to Vardzia
- Vardzia Resort
- Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi, Georgia
- +995 591 32 15 15
- Leisurely morning at Vazisubani Estate
- Lunch in Artana with Winemaker Keti Berishvili
- Transfer from Vazisubani to the western winelands of Vardzia: ROADTRIP
- Dinner of grilled seafood and cold beer along the Mtkvari River at Valodia’s Cottages
- Check-in and rack out at Vardzia Resort
Day 6
Jun 13 Thu
God is Good
- Vardzia Resort
- Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi, Georgia
- +995 591 32 15 15
- Morning trip to the legendary Vardzia cave monastery complex
- Hike to Chachkari village, the ancient wine-suppliers to the monastery below
- Aluda’s in Chobareti for tenili cheese-making, a chance to help make Meskhetian dumplings, and a supreme Meskhetian village feast
- Riverside picnic with the wines of Giorgi Natenadze, renowned winemaker recovering the roots of Meskhetian wine
Day 7
Jun 14 Fri
Return to the capital
- Stamba Hotel
- 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
- +995 32 202 11 99
- Returning to Tbilisi through the Dukhobor village of Gorelovka
- Lunch with the nuns at Phoka Nunnery
- Dinner at the restaurant OtsY hosted by chef Giorgi Ninua
Day 8
Jun 15 Sat
A last touch of Tbilisi
- Stamba Hotel
- 14 Merab Kostava St, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
- +995 32 202 11 99
- Free morning of shopping or coffee in Tbilisi’s ancient center
- A visit to Tbilisi’s historic baths and their pools of hot, sulphur-rich water
- Lunch at Keto & Kote for a modern twist on Georgia’s unrivaled cuisine
- Farewell dinner at the historic mansion that houses Café Littera
Day 9
Jun 16 Sun
Farewell
- Last breakfast at Stamba Hotel
- Private transfer to Tbilisi Airport