Ancient mountainous nation offers a trip to cloud wine

Magic town

It is said that there's magic in the air in Sighnaghi and that's not just down to its high altitude and the views it has into the valley below. As a matter of fact, Sighnaghi is perhaps Georgia's single most attractive town, with an amazing position on a hilltop facing the snowcapped Caucasus looming across the vast Alazani valley.

The heart of Georgia's ancient viticulture lies in Sighnaghi. The town was originally built as a fortress that played a significant role in protecting the city from invasions. You can still see parts of the old defensive wall.

Sighnaghi Fortress played a crucial role in the defense of the region. The construction of the fortress began in the late 18th century during the reign of King Erekle II, who ruled the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti. He built a 4-kilometer defensive wall with several gates and towers to protect the city from attacks.

The fortress was strategically positioned on a hilltop, offering a vantage point to monitor the surrounding areas and act as a warning system.

Full of 18th- and 19th-century architecture and with a vaguely Tuscan feel, Sighnaghi has seen a comprehensive renovation program in recent years. It has also seen scores of hotels open as the local population reorients itself toward the tourist dollar.

The good news is that despite the tour groups and quad bikes, the town has retained its easy charm and is still a lovely place to spend a couple of days.

You can take a walk along the well-preserved city walls and visit the town museum, which has one of the best collections of paintings by Georgia's most famous artist, Niko Pirosmani.

Afterward, you can settle in at one of Sighnaghi's many wine bars to sample the results of the grape harvest in the country's premier wine-producing region.

Sighnaghi is also the city of love because of its wedding house where couples can get married at any time of day. As a result, it has become a popular destination for new couples.

Kakheti, the region surrounding Sighnaghi, is also renowned for its winemaking traditions. You can visit local wineries and indulge in wine-tasting sessions to savor the flavors of Georgian wines. You can also learn about the winemaking process and the unique Qvevri method, which involves fermenting wine in large clay vessels buried underground.

The local market is one of the fun things to do in Sighnaghi. It is a great place to get a feeling of local life and buy some wine. It's sold in reused plastic soda bottles that look dodgy. Don't be fooled, because the quality is very good.