Tsinandali Estate
19th-century estate of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze near Telavi, with a palace museum, historic garden and one of Georgia's oldest wineries.
Tsinandali EstatePhoto: Archil sutiashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0Tsinandali is the former country estate of Prince Alexander Chavchavadze, a 19th-century poet and aristocrat, in the village of the same name about 10 km southeast of Telavi. His Italianate palace is now a house museum with family furniture, paintings and the story of the many foreign guests he hosted. Around it lies a historic garden of about 5 hectares, laid out in the manner of a 19th-century English landscape garden, with old trees, lawns and shaded paths. It joined the European Network of Historic Gardens in 2019.
Chavchavadze built a wine cellar and winery here in the 1830s, combining European and Georgian winemaking, and the estate gave its name to Tsinandali, the classic dry white blend of Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane. The cellar's collection holds more than 16,000 bottles, the oldest dated 1814, and tastings are offered on site. Since 2019 the estate has hosted the Tsinandali Festival of classical music, and a modern hotel stands in the grounds.
History
Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846) inherited the village from his father, Prince Garsevan, and turned it into a European-style estate and cultural salon. His daughter Nino married the Russian playwright and diplomat Alexander Griboyedov in 1828. In 1854 the forces of Imam Shamil raided the estate during the Caucasian War. Tsinandali became a museum in 1947, and the palace has been restored since 2007.
What to see and do
- Alexander Chavchavadze's palace museum
- Historic landscaped garden
- Wine collection with bottles dating from 1814
- Tastings of Tsinandali and other Kakhetian wines
- Concerts during the Tsinandali Festival
How to visit
Getting there
Tsinandali is about 10 km southeast of Telavi, around 15 minutes by car, and about 2 hours from Tbilisi via the Gombori Pass.
When to go
Spring for the garden; autumn for the harvest. Plan 1.5–2 hours here.
- Ticket options cover the garden, the palace museum and tastings; check what is included at the entrance.
- Check the Tsinandali Festival programme if you plan to visit in late summer or autumn.
- Combine with Telavi and Shuamta on the same day.
Tsinandali Estate: FAQ
What is Tsinandali famous for?
It is the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze, who founded one of Georgia's first European-style wineries there in the 1830s. Tsinandali is also the name of a classic dry white wine made from Rkatsiteli and Mtsvane.
Can you taste wine at Tsinandali Estate?
Yes. Tastings are offered in the estate's historic cellar; ask at the entrance or book ahead in high season.
Tours that include Tsinandali Estate
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Tsinandali Estate.
