Racha Wine and Mountain Cuisine
Four days around Shaori, Khvanchkara, Ambrolauri and Utsera.
- days
- 4 / 3 nights
- Total distance
- 560 km
- Total driving
- 11:40
- Car needed
- Crossover / SUV
- Season
- May–October
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Click a marker for details. Coloured lines are ready-made road trips.
A slow route linking Racha wine, mountain cooking, churches and mineral springs.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Nakerala → Shaori → Nikortsminda. Day 2: Khvanchkara → Ambrolauri. Day 3: Barakoni → Oni. Day 4: Utsera → return.
Stops on this route
Nakerala Pass
A pass above 1,200 metres between Tkibuli and Racha, with a limestone wall and two valleys in view.
1 h
Nikortsminda Cathedral
An 11th-century cathedral covered in exceptional stone carving, with late medieval frescoes inside.
1 h
Khvanchkara Wine Zone
The narrow right-bank vineyards between Tola and Sadmeli, where Georgia's best-known naturally semi-sweet red wine is made.
3 h
Ambrolauri
Georgia's smallest regional capital, on both banks of the Rioni — the practical base for Racha and the edge of the Khvanchkara wine zone.
2 h
Barakoni Church
A domed church of 1753 at Tsesi, above the meeting of the Lukhuni and the Rioni — the last great work of medieval Georgian architecture.
1 h
Oni Synagogue
An 1895 synagogue in Oni's old Jewish quarter — among the largest in Georgia, and still in use.
1 h
Utsera Mineral Springs
A village and small mineral-water spa in the Rioni valley between Oni and Shovi, just above 1,000 metres.
1.5 hTips
- Reserve tastings ahead.
- Avoid driving after dark.
Best car for this trip
Cars in this category
Guides
- The Best Time to Visit Georgia, Counted Month by Month Georgia does not have one season. It has two countries: a 60% country from November to April and a 99% country
- Driving in Georgia: What the Distances Actually Cost You Georgia is a small country with slow roads. Here is what 267 measured drives from Tbilisi say about how long y
Pickup locations
Car Rental in Kutaisi — 30 km (straight line)
Booking and enquiries
The easiest way to reach these places is by car — you pick the route and the stops.