Hit the ground running – spend your first day in Kakheti exploring the wineries and monasteries that surround Sighnaghi.

Perched perilously high on a forested slope, parts of this monastery date back to the 4th century. To reach the basilica, take the chartered marshrutka up the hill. Hunt around for the wine room where you can see a set of qvevris embedded in the floor.

Built in the 8th century, this is the only double-domed church in Georgia. It’s not the most spectacular church you’ll ever see, but the short walk through the forest to get there is delightful.

An impressive 16th-century church, also at high elevation. This time you’ll have to climb the stairs. For a few extra GEL, you can see a small museum display and climb up the bell tower for excellent views over Kakheti.

Continue on foot through town, following the reconstructed old city walls and climbing up the lookout towers for views of the low-lying town of Tsnori.

A very slick operation, Kindzmarauli offers group tours where you can see the wine making and bottling process. Tastings are reasonably priced and there’s an opportunity to buy a bottle or two at the end.

The most impressive cellar door you’ll visit in Kakheti is also the most expensive. You’ll need to fork out around 10 GEL to tour the huge tunnels cut into the mountainside – originally they were intended as bomb shelters but since the war finished before construction did, they were co-opted for storing the local community’s wine instead. Wine label Khareba eventually bought them out. The temperature in the tunnels is a chilly 12-14 degrees year-round.