Inaugural Wine Days festival celebrates winemaking traditions, cuisine

The festival, opening on Sunday and set to run through October 15, kicked off in the city of Telavi in the eastern winemaking Kakheti region, where the event was launched in the courtyard of the historical King Erekle palace. Photo: PM's press office

Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili hosted foreign diplomats in the historical vineyard of Tsinandali in Kakheti, and introduced them to the local tradition of grape harvesting while highlighting the importance of winemaking for the country. Photo: PM's press office

The diplomats picked grapes and took part in events of the harvest, including a demonstration of preparation of khinkali dumpling and churckhela snacks, and baking of bread. Photo: PM's press office

Meanwhile in capital Tbilisi, the Wine Days festival was hosted in the Alexander Garden recreation park. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A fair featured products by over 50 Georgian winemakers, along with a wine tasting session. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Tbilisi restaurants and eateries hosted a barbeque grill and brazier grill run by celebrity chefs, with meat dishes complementing wine, and a snacks corner welcoming visitors as part of the fair. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Wine Days also offered a sommelier masterclass. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Hundreds of people, tourists as well as locals, attended the inaugural Wine Days festival in Tbilisi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

The churchkhela snack, traditionally made in autumn when grapes and nuts are harvested, was also on the tables of the festival in Tbilisi. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Cheese selected to be paired with wine was also offered to the visitors. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

No Georgian feast would ever be complete without a good portion of Georgian cheese, be it fresh and soft - such as sulguni and imeruli - or gouda, a hard mountain cheese made from sheep milk and traditionally aged in sheepskin. This particular cheese is aged in honey or Saperavi - a finest Georgian red wine variety. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Visitors of Wine Days tasted some Georgian wine and also enjoyed entertaining activities as part of the festival. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

This map of Georgia illustrates regions of the country known for winemaking history and traditions. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Wine Days will celebrate the 8,000-year-old tradition of Georgian winemaking next year again. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge