The Alazani Valley is the agricultural heart of Kakheti — a broad, flat plain between the Greater Caucasus to the north and the Tsiv-Gombori ridge to the south. In autumn, when the harvest is underway, it is one of the most atmospheric landscapes in Georgia: the vines turn gold and red, the air smells of fermenting grapes, and every village with a winery is in motion.
The valley floor is largely under viticulture, with Rkatsiteli and Saperavi vines producing the region's signature whites and reds. The main road east from Telavi passes through the towns of Gurjaani, Kvareli, and Lagodekhi, with constant views of the snow peaks. Cycling the valley is possible on a calm day; a car gives you more flexibility for monastery stops. The Alazani River itself, forming the border with Azerbaijan to the east, is good for birdwatching in the riparian forest along its banks.