Foreword

Wine is a sunny nectar that appeared in ancient times and today is an invariable attribute of the festive table and a unique value for lovers and experts of wine. We invite everyone to hospitable Azerbaijan – the country where you will find an amazing drink in your glass. What is most importantly, we invite you to participate in the magical process of doing wine. Oh, that will be truly unforgettable!

Who is this tour for?

This fascinating journey will open the wonderful world of Azerbaijani winemaking. It is suitable for those who do not think of a good dinner without a delicious glass of wine, and who want to spend time not only with pleasure, but also with benefit. After all, this wine drink is distinguished by both interesting taste for certain dishes, and its useful properties for maintaining health

The taste and smell of true wine

Acquaintance with wine should first begin with the “roots” in order to truly imbue a fragrant drink. This is in the truest sense of the word. After all, fabulous walks through long vineyards are not only your beautiful photos in social networks. This is an opportunity to understand how the sun's rays, saturated soil, temperature variability, and rainy weather affect the taste and color of the future drink. You will find out when it is better to pick grapes - in the early morning, late evening, or at the very height of the day, which grape variety is used for dry wine, and which for sweet. As a person at an early stage of ripening grape berries can affect the result of the creation of wine. A tour of the vineyard – it is beautiful views, fragrant berries, and an educational trip.

Wine tour - an opportunity to reveal the secret of the birth of the drink of the Gods

A visit to a real winery is a unique opportunity to personally observe all stages of wine production. In addition, you can see how it is stored in one of the hugest cellars in the whole country, be inspired by the calm atmosphere in which a popular drink acquires its main flavoring features.

The tour program includes a tasting of Shabiant wines produced in the area.

If you get hungry, you can have a terrific lunch right at the winery in the middle of the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains.

Especially for you, dishes of national cuisine will be prepared from environmental ingredients and products with a generous addition of seasonings and spices, the aroma of which excites and accelerates the appetite.

Fascinating fishing and the famous "grape" dances of Chelentano

In addition, you can independently choose either a visit to the amazing canyon of the expressive Girdimanchay River, or a trip to a nearby picturesque lake with the opportunity to go fishing. A real surprise awaits for those who plan to go on a tour from late summer to mid-autumn. During this period that the harvest occurs you can crush grape juice with your feet, like the legendary Adriano Chelentano. A fun and funny adventure will leave an indelible impression and incredible feeling. After all, it is an intrigue - to take part in the creation of wine yourself, then return after a while, and try the drink, you personally took part.

Legends of the Shamakhan shrine

On the way to the winery, we will go to Shemakha, the city that was capital of the Shirvanshahs until the end of the 12th century, where we will visit the Diri Baba mausoleum. This is a unique structure. The most amazing thing is that it is still not known who is buried in the mausoleum.

I will talk about the secrets and mysteries of the sanctuary and show the caves in the rock, reminiscent of the cells of hermits. It is believed that this place has tremendous energy power.

In ancient times, Shemakha was the center of carpet weaving; this tradition has been preserved to this day. Besides that, the city repeatedly found itself in the heat of battle, which affected the architecture. The walls of stone fortresses and mosques for centuries saved people from raids by enemies.

Русское село Ивановка

On our way, we will meet the Russian village of Ivanovka. It was founded in 1840, and its inhabitants were peasant immigrants from Russia, supporting morality in the Orthodox religion.

All signs here are written in Russian, including on the building where the board of the collective farm was located.

The collective farm has existed since Soviet times and is successfully developing. Here we will be guests of the village’s residents. They will treat us with aromatic tea, hot cakes, local wines, and intimate conversations.

There is a guest house in the village where you can spend the night if you wish, and the next morning, backed up with farm products, we may go to the amazing villages of Lagich and Baskal, where craftsmen and artisans live.

Lagich - the village of craftsmen.

The streets of Lagich are homely and clean. Here, everyone, young and old, is engaged in some kind of business. The main "craft" is the manufacture of copper and leather products. You will not only see the skillful work of local artisans, but you can also buy your favorite little thing as a souvenir

You will try the local cuisine, listen to stories about people who lived and worked here many centuries ago

Baskal and Sheki - the birthplace of silk scarves

On our way, we will visit the village of Baskal and the city of Sheki.

Here you can watch how the kalageyi is created - a thin silk scarf decorated with beautiful patterns.

By the way, one can quite easily determine where it is woven - in Shemakha, the kalagayi were decorated with small ornaments, for the Absheron manufactories a large pattern is characteristic. Many foreigners specially come to Baskal to order an exclusive kalagayi. Along the fabulous forests, we will go to the city of Sheki, the city that was the center of the Sheki Khanate in the 17-18 centuries. I will show you the most interesting monuments: the palace of Sheki khans, caravanserayes, and the Christian church of the beginning of our era in the village of Kysh.

Information for Guides

The text of the tour is patented, any use will be appealed in court.