Explore Georgia’s history, culture, and identity through one of its oldest and most enduring traditions: wine.

This intensive program examines Georgian wine not simply as a product, but as a lens through which to understand the country’s history, religion, agriculture, hospitality, and national identity.

Through lectures, tastings, workshops, and excursions, participants trace Georgian winemaking from its ancient archaeological origins and traditional qvevri methods to contemporary production and international markets. Meet historians, archaeologists, winemakers, and other specialists while exploring Tbilisi, archaeological sites, and the wine-producing region of Kakheti.

Along the way, examine how wine has functioned as a marker of Georgian identity and resilience, how traditions have adapted to political and economic change, and how producers today balance heritage with innovation and global markets.

If you are a current student: it is your responsibility to check the academic calendar of your home institution to ensure you do not miss class and/or have the necessary approvals in place for participation. If you are interested in another spring break (or other) period and have a group of at least 4 participants, contact us. Applications received after the session deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Details

 

Temperatures in March in Georgia are moderate, averaging 50-60F during the day, falling to around 35-40F at night. Please pack and dress appropriately!

Itinerary currently being updated for 2027.

Day 1 (Saturday):Arrival in Tbilisi, introduction to the neighborhood of your very centrally located hotel. We anticipate arrivals throughout the day so we will take it easy today while you acclimate to your new time zone. Depending on overall arrival schedule, we will have a program orientation in the evening.

Day 2 (Sunday): Introduction to Georgia: The First Sip

  • Walking Tour of Tbilisi
  • Welcome lunch
  • Guided tour of the Wine History Museum
  • Dinner (on own)
  • Evening Map Activity & Degustation – Georgian Terroir & Grape Varietals
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, L

Day 3 (Monday): Communion: Faith, Resilience, and Identity

  • Lecture: Faith, Wine, and Identity in Georgia
  • Lecture: Wine as a Tool of Resistance
  • Lunch (on own)
  • Documentary Film Viewing: “Our Blood is Wine”
  • Dinner (Georgian Supra)
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, D

Day 4 (Tuesday):Wine Origins: The Case for Georgia

  • Day Trip to Kvemo Kartli
  • Bolnisi Archaeological Museum – artifacts from finds from the first gold quarry in the Caucasus and evidence of the country’s ancient winemaking traditions
  • Dmanisi Citadel
  • Orozmani Archaeological Excavation Site
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, L

Day 5 (Wednesday): From Vine to Vessel: Winemaking and Georgian Culinary Traditions

  • Lecture: How Wine Is Made – From Vine to Vessel
  • Lunch (on own)
  • Dezerter’s Bazaar Tour
  • Cooking Workshop
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, D

Day 6 (Thursday): Kakheti: Georgia’s Winemaking Heartland

  • Visits to conventional and natural winemakers
  • Breadmaking
  • Churchkhela making
  • Lunch
  • Cheese tasting
  • Visit to qvevri maker
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, L

Day 7 (Friday): Going Global

  • Lecture: Contemporary Opportunities and Challenges for Georgian Wine
  • Lunch (on own)
  • Marketing workshop: Wine label design
  • Degustation: Foreign vs. Georgian wines
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B

Day 8 (Saturday): Final Toast

  • Course Reflection Roundtable
  • Lunch (on own)
  • Short Essay Assignment & Course Survey
  • Certificate Ceremony
  • Sulfer baths (optional)
  • Farewell Dinner
  • Overnight in Tbilisi; Included meals: B, D

Day 9 (Sunday):Transfer to airport for departure.

Included meals: B

Schedule is subject to change.

SRAS Certificate Courses are location-based, intensive, and interdisciplinary in nature. Through lectures, workshops, dialogues, and other experiences, we address current and global issues that are even more relevant and visible in our host country. Upon completion, you gain a certificate, many contacts, and experience to share on your resume.

Participants stay in a centrally located small hotel or guesthouse in shared twin/triple rooms. A single-room supplement is available for $140. Breakfast is included daily, with additional meals included as indicated in the itinerary.

Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs can generally be accommodated. Georgia is particularly well suited to vegetarian diets..

Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital and largest city, reflects many of the historical influences that have shaped the country. Its Old Town brings together medieval churches, Persian-influenced architecture, nineteenth-century neighborhoods, Soviet-era development, and contemporary urban life.

The city also provides an excellent base for studying Georgia’s food and wine traditions. Markets, restaurants, wine bars, museums, and historic neighborhoods offer opportunities to examine how traditions remain part of everyday life while continuing to evolve. From Tbilisi, excursions connect participants with archaeological sites, religious traditions, agricultural landscapes, and wine-producing communities elsewhere in Georgia.

Find out more about:

This program uses a short application and a simplified payment schedule. A $50 non-refundable application fee is due when you apply and is applied toward the total program cost. Once your participation is confirmed, a $450 non-refundable deposit is due within seven days to reserve your place. The remaining program balance is due 45 days before arrival.

Cancellation: If SRAS receives written cancellation at least 20 days before the program begins, 20% of the total program cost is refundable. For cancellations received fewer than 20 days before the program begins, no refund is guaranteed.

If SRAS is able to recover costs or fill a vacated place, we will endeavor to refund additional amounts where possible. Participants are encouraged to consider travel insurance that provides appropriate cancellation or interruption coverage.

Funding & Discounts

SRAS Ambassadors awards and SRAS Online Research Internships awards may be applied toward eligible future SRAS programs and study tours.

Group Discount: Participants who bring two or more friends may each receive a $150 discount. All participants must identify one another in their applications. The discount does not apply to participants already receiving special group pricing, including affiliate discounts.

Interested in adapting this program for your own students? SRAS can work with faculty to develop a custom program in Georgia focused on food and wine, history, culture, sustainability, chemistry, or related themes.