In Shilda, wine experiences meet historic buildings: Jobava Winery is located in the Kindzmarauli micro-zone, alongside the late medieval Ghvtaebis Church and the fortress on the left bank of the Chelti. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip—from tastings and Georgian cuisine to church architecture and the history associated with a historic fortress.
Wine Experiences and Georgian Cuisine
Jobava Winery brings together several experiences in packages, including guided tours of vineyards and cellars, as well as wine and chacha tastings. Seasonal activities for grape harvesting and winemaking are also part of the offer. If you are interested in Georgian cuisine, you can prepare traditional dishes yourself in masterclasses and sample the handmade food. The winery's restaurant serves Georgian dishes; forest picnics and qvevri-opening ceremonies are also offered. Package components and the availability of individual activities may change; confirm the details in advance.
Chubini Wine Cellar is a small, family-run winery that produces natural, authentic qvevri wines. Guests can learn more about Georgian winemaking traditions and take part in a meal with the family. Shaverge offers wine tastings and masterclasses on baking bread and preparing khinkli. The cellar contains both new and two-hundred-year-old jars. Shaverge's qvevri wines are made using the traditional Georgian method and are listed under the names Saferavi, Rkatsiteli, and Kisi.
During the grape harvest, guests at Shaverge can pick grapes and press them in a wine press. Together with Jobava's seasonal harvesting and winemaking activities, this gives you a clear choice: you can focus on tasting or take part in some of the production process yourself. Harvest experiences are tied to the grape-harvesting season; ask about dates before your trip. Shaverge also offers seasonal dinners featuring Georgian dishes.
Accommodation and Visit Planning
Chubini offers accommodation, while Shaverge has comfortable cottages for overnight stays. Check availability before your trip. Chubini's visiting arrangements may change; advance confirmation is recommended for tastings at Shaverge. This lets you plan your accommodation separately from changing programs, rather than assuming a tasting or seasonal activity will definitely be available.
Church and Fortress in Shilda
The Ghvtaebis Church is a late medieval hall church. Its masonry alternates between river stone and brick; it is considered part of Kakheti's cultural heritage. The visit is described as easy to access, and 30 to 60 minutes is considered sufficient for exploring it. This makes the church a manageable cultural stop in its own right.
Shilda Fortress stands on the left bank of the Chelti. According to local tradition, it belonged to the Vakhvakhishvili family and was built between the mid- and late 18th century. The fortress is badly damaged. Its historic layout is described as having cylindrical corner towers and rectangular towers in the middle of the south and west walls. Its historical associations and riverside location give a visit a different focus from the architecture of the late medieval church.
Kakheti in a Broader Context
As part of the wider destination of Kakheti, Shilda sits within a broader wine and cultural context. Kakheti is Georgia's leading wine-growing region and is especially known for large qvevri, including vessels with a capacity of 6,000 to 8,000 liters. Well-known regional dishes include mtsvadi, chakapuli, khashlama, churchkhela, and tatara made from grape juice. Wine traditions and regional cuisine together shape Kakheti's culinary profile.
Kakheti's natural areas also offer their own themes for a broader trip. The Vashlovani Protected Areas include a nature reserve, a national park, and three natural monuments; their network of trails offers one- and two-day tours by car, bicycle, and on safari. The Lagodekhi Protected Areas have five marked hiking trails, as well as educational, horseback-riding, and cultural tours.
Discover more destinations: Omalo, Napareuli, Sasadilo, Kachreti, Sighnaghi, Ikalto Monastery, Kvareli Municipality, Dedoplis Tskaro
See the wider travel overview: Kakheti.
