Tour to Chateau Mukhrani from Tbilisi (Saguramo,Dusheti, Bazaleti Lake,Dzalisi)

The museum complex includes the residence, auxiliary buildings, and the family vineyards of the famous Georgian writer and public figure Ilia Chavchavadze (1837-1907). The museum preserves memorial items and manuscripts from the writer, photo portraits of famous XIX century Georgian public figures and photographs reflecting the time period.

Guest will visit Dusheti that is the main town of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of Georgia.

Bazaleti Lake is 5 km south of the town of Dusheti. The surface area of the lake is 1.22 km². and its maximum depth is 30 m. Lake is used for fish culture, irrigation and recreation.

Tsilkani Saint Mary Church was built at the end of the IV century - in the first half of the V century and was a hall church. At the turn of the V-VI centuries it was converted into a new, three-nave basilica. During the developed feudal era, both buildings were part of a new, domed temple. The temple is a central-domed building. Built of sandstone cut square. The neck of the dome is based on four free-standing piers. It is crossed by sails. There are 12 windows in the dome.

Dzalisi is a historic village in Georgia, located in the Mukhrani valley, 50 km northwest of Tbilisi, and 20 km northwest of Mtskheta. It is the Zalissa (Greek: Ζάλισσα) of Ptolemy (AD 90–168) who mentions it as one of principal towns of Iberia, an ancient Georgian kingdom (Geographia; § 10, 3). Archaeological digs have revealed the remains of four palaces and hypocaustic baths, acropolis, swimming pool, administrative part, barracks for soldiers, water supply system and burial grounds. One of the villas is notable for its floor mosaics, which, together with the mosaics of Pityus, are, by far, the oldest ones found in the Caucasus. The style of the mosaic dates to around AD 300. Its central part depicts Ariadne and Dionysus in a banquet scene.

Château Mukhrani is based on the historical tradition of wine-making in Mukhrani region. This is the first and the only true Georgian Royal Chateau, which unites four key components: vineyards, winery, castle and history. In 1512 Mukhrani became the prince’s estate, governed by Bagrationi royal family. Mukhranian wine production was established by Ivane Mukhranbatoni a famous representative of royal family, political and public figure of the 19th century. In 1876, Ivane Mukhranbatoni returned from France with Chateau concept knowledge and since then the history of Château Mukhani’s winemaking starts.