Tsinandali
Updated: November 6, 2026
Kakheti · 10 km from Telavi
Tsinandali is a village in the Alazani Valley and the estate of the prince and poet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846). It is 10 km from Telavi and 79 km east of Tbilisi.
The palace is built in the Italian style and surrounded by Georgia’s first European-style garden. In 2019 the garden joined the European Historic Gardens network.
In the 1830s Chavchavadze built a wine cellar. Today its enoteca holds more than 16,500 bottles dating back to 1814, among them an 1841 Saperavi — the oldest bottled Georgian wine.
- WhereAlazani Valley, 79 km east of Tbilisi
- Ownerpoet Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846)
- Cellarbuilt in the 1830s
- Enotecamore than 16,500 bottles since 1814
- Museumsince 1947
Tours that include Tsinandali
9.4164 reviewsWine tasting in Kakheti
9.6399 reviewsThe Alazani Valley wine route 2026
9.6793 reviewsKakheti Day Trip from Tbilisi
9.6793 reviewsRtveli — the grape harvest in Kakheti
9.6793 reviewsKazbegi + Kakheti in 2 days
History of Tsinandali
Alexander Chavchavadze inherited the estate from his father, Garsevan Chavchavadze, who had been granted it by King Erekle II. Alexander turned the estate into a salon where guests from different countries gathered. Alexandre Dumas compared Tsinandali to paradise.
On 2 July 1854 the estate was raided by a detachment of Imam Shamil, who took hostages; they were exchanged on 22 March 1855. Later the estate passed to the imperial family; in 1947 a museum opened here, and since 2019 it has hosted the Tsinandali classical music festival.
What to see
- Palace — the Chavchavadze house in the Italian style, now a museum.
- Garden — Georgia’s first European-style garden, now about 12 acres.
- Old wine cellar — 19th century; the enoteca holds wine dating back to 1814.
Best time to visit
As elsewhere in the valley near Telavi, the best time is September and October, rtveli. Summer can reach 35 °C.
How to get there
- By car: on the road to Telavi over the Gombori Pass; the estate is 10 km from Telavi.
- On a tour: Tsinandali is part of Kakheti wine tours — more in the article about Kakheti in 1 day.
Tips
- Easy to combine with Telavi: the town is about 9 km away as the crow flies.
Tsinandali photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons
What’s near Tsinandali
Telavi≈ 9 km as the crow flies, the palace of Erekle II
Gremi Castle≈ 14 km as the crow flies, 16th century
Alaverdi Cathedral≈ 22 km as the crow flies, 11th century
Where to stay nearby
TelaviChateau Mere is a hotel in Telavi. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, a garden, a shared lounge and a terrace. The restaurant serves local cuisine. Free private parking is also available.
TelaviTinikos Guest House is a guesthouse in Telavi. Guests can enjoy a garden, a shared lounge, a terrace and free Wi-Fi. Guests can use the shared kitchen or the children's playground.
TelaviTrip.com prices per night for 2 adults, check-in 07–08.11.2026, data as of 31.10.2026; Trip.com shows hotel prices in US dollars. Booking and payment — on Trip.com, our partner.
Tsinandali on the map
Tsinandali FAQ
Where is Tsinandali?
In the Alazani Valley of Kakheti, 10 km from Telavi and 79 km east of Tbilisi.
Whose estate is it?
It belonged to the poet and prince Alexander Chavchavadze (1786–1846); he inherited it from his father, Garsevan.
What is there to see in Tsinandali?
The palace museum, Georgia’s first European-style garden and an old 19th-century wine cellar.
What wine is kept in the cellar?
More than 16,500 bottles dating back to 1814, including an 1841 Saperavi — the oldest bottled Georgian wine.
What is the Tsinandali Festival?
A classical music festival held at the estate since 2019.
Are there tours to Tsinandali?
Yes — wine tours and Kakheti excursions. They are listed above on this page.
Photo sources
- nourdarwish4, Pinterest
- preview_latimes_com, Pinterest
- Weltalf, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Donovan Driver from Texarkana, Texas, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Sosomk at Wikipedia, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Roberto Strauss from Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Roberto Strauss from Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Image by falco from Pixabay, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
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