Telavi is a beautiful city of about 25,000 people nestled in the wine country of the (formerly Soviet)Republic of Georgia. It is located in the eastern part of the country, three hours drive from the capital city of Tbilisi. From its vantage point, one looks over the Alazani River, wending through the scenic Kakheti Valley. The snow-capped Caucasus mountain range provides a spectacular backdrop to this ancient city.

The Napa Valley - Telavi Sister City Project was created in 1987 by my parents and others in order to promote contact between the premium wine-growing communities of the United States and, what was then, the Soviet Union. Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, friendships that have developed over the years persist and the project continues.

Telavi's long history of wine country hospitality makes participation in the Napa Valley - Telavi Sister City Project a most rewarding experience.

Recently, a delegation of Georgians contacted us and wanted to arrange a meeting with Gov. Schwarzenegger. They appently didn't know we were girlie men and could not arrange a meeting with the Governator. But they decide to come anyway. They didn't smile much. They seemed grumpy. I'd be grumpy too if I had no electricity.