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Weather in Telavi
Wine country heart of the Alazani Valley
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About Telavi
Telavi sits in Kakheti, Georgia's wine region—rows of vines cascade down hillsides; traditional clay kvevri (wine vessels) buried in cellars ferment wine without oak. The region produces 60% of Georgia's wine; homestays offer tasting experiences. The Tsinandali wine estate preserves 19th-century wine traditions.
Best months to visit
June, July, August, September
Language
Georgian, Russian, English
Things to do in Telavi
Wine tasting at Georgian wineries and traditional cellars using kvevri method
Visiting the Tsinandali Estate and museum documenting winemaking history
Hiking through vineyards and meeting vintners during harvest season (September-October)
Eating traditional Georgian cheese, bread, and khash with wine at family tables
Shopping at the town bazaar for locally-produced wine and dried fruit
Staying in village homestays and eating meals prepared by wine families
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
6C
Cold, with occasional showers.
February
8C
Cold, with occasional showers.
March
11C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
April
16C
Cool, with some rainy days.
May
21C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
Recommended
June
25C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
July
28C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
August
29C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
Recommended
September
23C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
October
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
November
11C
Cool, with occasional showers.
December
8C
Cold, with occasional showers.
Telavi is the heart of Kakheti, Georgia's principal wine region, sitting amid vineyards that have been cultivated for roughly 8,000 years using the traditional qvevri clay-vessel method. The town itself has a restored historic centre and a hilltop fortress with views across the Alazani Valley to the Caucasus, but its main appeal is as a base for visiting family-run wineries, monasteries, and the fortified town of Sighnaghi — making it the natural focus for anyone interested in Georgia's wine culture beyond Tbilisi's bars.
Best areas to stay in Telavi
Telavi Old Town & Batonis Tsikhe
The historic centre with the restored royal fortress complex offering views over the Alazani Valley and a museum on Kakhetian history.
Alaverdi Monastery
An 11th-century monastery complex near Telavi with one of Georgia's tallest cathedrals and its own ancient winemaking tradition.
Sighnaghi
A picturesque walled hill town about 45 minutes from Telavi, known for its restored Italian-influenced architecture and panoramic valley views.
Village Wineries (Kakheti countryside)
Numerous small family-run wineries scattered through villages around Telavi, many offering qvevri wine tastings and traditional supra meals.
Getting to Telavi
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Flights
Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and continue by road.
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From London
~5-6 hours from London with one connection to Tbilisi, plus 1.5-2 hours by road to Telavi.
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Getting around
Marshrutkas run from Tbilisi to Telavi; a hired driver or tour is recommended for visiting scattered wineries and villages around Kakheti.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Telavi for wine?
September to October coincides with the grape harvest (rtveli) — many wineries welcome visitors to take part in picking and pressing, an especially atmospheric time to visit. Spring through autumn generally offers good winery visiting weather.
What is qvevri wine?
Georgia's traditional winemaking method, fermenting and ageing wine in large buried clay vessels — it produces distinctive amber (orange) wines and is recognised by UNESCO as part of Georgia's intangible cultural heritage.
How do I get to Telavi from Tbilisi?
By shared marshrutka or private car, roughly 1.5-2 hours along a good road through the Gombori Pass or via Gurjaani.
What else is there to see near Telavi?
Sighnaghi, a beautifully restored fortified hill town nicknamed the 'city of love'; Alaverdi and Ikalto monasteries with ancient winemaking traditions; and Batonis Tsikhe fortress in Telavi itself.
Can you visit family wineries directly?
Yes — many smaller producers in villages around Telavi welcome visitors for tastings and cellar tours, often best arranged through a local guide or tour given the informal nature of visits.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Visited during the grape harvest and ended up helping press grapes by foot at a small family winery — followed by an enormous supra feast with endless toasts. Telavi is the best base for experiencing Georgian wine culture properly.
Levan S. · October 2024
★★★★☆
Sighnaghi was a lovely day trip from Telavi — beautifully restored streets and incredible views over the Alazani Valley. The Alaverdi monastery's cathedral was unexpectedly massive and impressive.
Anna P. · May 2024
★★★★★
Did a day of winery hopping around Telavi with a local guide — every place we stopped insisted on multiple toasts and far too much wine and cheese. Genuinely one of the best food and drink days of any trip I've taken.
Mike R. · September 2023
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