The Lost Ridge Inn, a beautifully renovated country house on two floors, is the perfect blend of old and new. You will enter the cozy living room through a covered patio. The area has soft seating, tiled flooring and a large fire place. You’ll see the bar and a few friendly faces greeting you. Two bedrooms are located on the first floor, and four more are located upstairs. A lawned garden surrounds the house, with a summer kitchen and hammocks. It is tranquil.
The house has a small brewery attached. Through the glass, you can see the shiny metal tanks that are used to ferment the Inn’s own craft beer. It is inspired by the herbs and fruits from the region.
The Accommodation
You’ll immediately notice the warmth of the cedar scent, the wooden furniture and floors, and the tastefully selected bedding when you enter your bright, spacious room. The bathrooms are also tasteful – warm colors, modern fittings and Mediterranean style tiles. The room includes bathrobes, slippers and drinking water. Toiletries, hairdryer, and toiletries are also included. The rooms are equipped with central heating, A/C and WiFi, but no TV.
You can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and garden from your stone-tiled terrace or balcony, which is surrounded by grapevines. The Lost Ridge Inn is located on a hill. The room I stayed in overlooked the rolling hills, the medieval Bodbe St. Virgin Mary Temple (currently under renovation), and just up the street, the Lost Ridge Inn corral, where we would be riding horses later that day. The horses were free-roaming in the rear garden, chomping on the sweet grass.
The Food
Without exaggerating, I can say that this was the juiciest and tastiest selection of vegetables, salad greens and beans I have ever tasted – sliced cucumber and tomato salads with sunflower seeds, spicy Mexican bean, Spinach Pate with pomegranate seed, and soft Georgian Bread to smear on. The taste was beyond description. The Lost Ridge Inn sources its ingredients from local farmers whenever possible, and adds home-grown herbs into the mix. They also serve their own eggs for breakfast, as well as honey, jams, cheese, and natural yoghurt from the Nukriani village nearby.
The Brewery
It is a shame that I am not a beer drinker. I prefer wine. But it would be a sin not to mention a very special feature about this boutique hotel: they brew their craft beer! Let them tell you more about it.
“Using pure water, hops, and grains from the best beer nations in the world, as well as local seasonal ingredients, our small-batch ales reflect the wildness of Georgian village life.” We experiment with herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in our orchard, and the surrounding area. Occasionally, we get inspired to gather these in alpine Tushetian pastures, Alazani Lowlands or Gombori Pass.
Lost Ridge offers classic styles made in Georgia, such as Tripels, Saisons, and Pacific Northwest-style IPA. Our special brews, aged in our onsite cave, are bottled.
The natural wines Pheasant’s Tears, and Lurjibani are also available.
The Living Roots Horse Ranch
The ranch is only a few minutes’ walk from the Inn and is clearly marked on the road. Nika, our tour guide, welcomed us to the stable yard where she introduced us to the new member of the family, a 2-week-old foal, and his mother. Except for the one female horse, all of the horses are castrated males that were purchased from around Georgia at around 6 years old. The Ranch only chooses horses that are used to being ridden and have a calm temperament.
There are six horses for beginners and two for more experienced riders. The six horses are all 13 years old or younger. They are in excellent condition and have a lovely patient character.
After letting my children brush the horses and saddle them up, I took off on our 1-hour loop trail. It took us along a ridge to get a view of Alazani Valley, and the nearby villages. Then, along another hill, we got a beautiful eye-level view from the opposite side the gorge of the St Nino Monastery. We began and ended our ride along the new asphalt road. However, the majority of the ride was on level dirt roads, some wide enough for cars, others with just enough room for us and the horse to pass. The horses were at ease and knew where to go, having done this hundreds of times. Nika, a guide who has been riding horses and caring for them since she was four years old, was a great guide. She gave us clear instructions in English and was always calm and confident to help if there were any problems. He patiently and enthusiastically responded to my questions and those of the 9-year-old, as well as his, about the stables and the challenges that quality horse-rearing poses in Georgia.
It’s best to call them before you go and discuss what you want. I can tell you that my experience was a beautiful and tranquil one. I enjoyed riding slowly with my children in the sunlit Kakheti Hills. I felt blessed to have been able to do this, and my kids did too.
The Cafe
The Ranch has its own cafe. After a quick wash and rest, we were welcomed to the warm, cozy interior of wood and stone for a delicious dinner, accompanied with wine and lemon water. The cafe is small, but opens up to a garden with seating for many guests. It also offers a beautiful view of Kakheti during the day. While my children played on the swings I was able to sit with other guests and enjoy a glass of wine by the fire pit.
How to Get There
Driving from Tbilisi to Sighnaghi is around 1 hour 48 minute and 108 kilometers east. Take the S-5 out of Tbilisi, and continue on it for 94.4 kilometers. Turn right onto the Sh-40 when you reach Chalaubani. You’ll see signs for Sighnaghi on your right. You will wind along a well paved road for about 15 kilometers, passing through villages with terracotta tiled houses, crumbling stonework and rusty farm machinery. The Lost Ridge Inn, a cream and wood house, is located just off the turn of the road after the Ranch. It’s a short drive up a gravel driveway.
What can I do?
Lost Ridge Inn offers a variety of horse riding tours and wine and beer tastings, as well as all the wonderful activities that Kakheti brought to market first – tone baking, churckhela-making, cooking masterclasses, and more. Bookings should include all of these activities.
Numerous hiking opportunities are available nearby. The Lost Ridge Inn overlooks the Bodbe St. Virgin Mary Temple. It is a few kilometers away by foot through the fields. (Or, you can reach it in 26 minutes via the St Nino Spring Road that loops down to Tsnori before returning up again.) The St Nino (Bodbe), Monastery is less than a kilometer from the Lost Ridge Inn. It boasts a cathedral, 2 churches, a shop, and a large, well-maintained woodland and garden. In the middle-sized old church, you’ll find the tomb of Saint Nino. She was a Cappadocian who brought Christianity to Georgia during the early 300s.
Sighnaghi is a picturesque hilltop town that guards the spectacular Alazani Valley, and the Caucasus Mountains beyond. Sighnaghi is a popular tourist destination for international tourists. Brick and stone buildings with tiled roofs and wooden balconies are lining cobbled streets. There is a small park with play areas and a museum that houses a collection of works by internationally renowned primitive artist Pirosmani. Archeological evidence from the area’s ancient settlements can also be found. There are many restaurants and bars in the town.
The Takeaway
I cannot recommend Lost Ridge Inn highly enough. It is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all, for those who enjoy craft beer, for small families and those who would like to try horse riding, or for small groups of friends looking to recharge. All guests will receive a warm welcome and enjoy delicious food and professional service.
You can book rooms at the Lost Ridge Inn via their website (lostridgeinn.com), by calling + 995 599 795 529, or through Booking.com.
See our interview with the founding members in May’s GT Business magazine.
Review by Katie Ruth Davies
Read More @ georgiatoday.ge