00:00In Europe, most of us live in urban areas where life moves fast. I came here to Ismaili to enjoy
00:10a slower pace and some of life's finer things. Good food and wine, gorgeous nature, and quiet.
00:17Join me on this weekend trip through Azerbaijan's countryside. We won't get anywhere fast,
00:22but I promise you'll enjoy the ride.
00:30Welcome to Ivanovka, home to what was once the last cocos in the Caucasus. Now
00:36labeled as an agro-park, Ivanovka remains a collective farm, where farmers share their
00:41crops and earnings. This village has a fascinating history, and a good place to
00:45learn about it is the Molokin Cultural Center.
00:50This remarkable collection of personal memorabilia tells the story of the
00:58Molokins, a Russian Christian minority whose religious views got them banished
01:03to the Caucasus. They founded Ivanovka in 1847, and the community still maintains its strong identity.
01:09In our museum, there are more than 2,000 exhibits. But it's still more and more. It's been
01:16more and more. Every time it's been filled with our old exhibits, which give us a look at how our ancestors lived,
01:26how they worked, and in this case, to leave a memory of the history of the village of Ivanovka.
01:32But Ivanovka isn't living in the past. Its contemporary culture is very much alive,
01:38in this beautiful auditorium that hosts dance troupes and concerts, and the newly renovated
01:43Dimir Art House, where young artists from Baku come to create in an idyllic setting.
01:52New residents are settling in, opening guest houses and cafes for tourists,
01:57like the Ohio Inn & Cafe run by Hasan.
02:01So this is getting popular, this village getting popular. People come here, they love the quietness
02:08of this place. Nice food, organic foods.
02:13I've heard a lot about the quality of the local products in this region,
02:16so I'm off to meet a farmer to taste some of Ivanovka's famous honey.
02:22Andrei Antifev is a third-generation beekeeper in Ivanovka. His honey has won awards at
02:27international competitions. The secret is the wide variety of fragrant plants and flowers that his
02:32bees pollinate, made accessible by these giant portable beehives. He organizes tours and tastings for visitors.
02:39Here are two types of honey. This is May's honey and the beginning of the summer.
02:47They are different flavors, smells different, and colors. Let's do a test.
02:56Yeah, I really like this one. It tastes different.
03:02Agro-tourism is thriving in the East Miley region. In September, harvest time is one of the most
03:08exciting times to visit. I'm getting in on the fun at Chabiant Winery, which invites visitors to help
03:13with the grape picking and stomping. It's a convivial moment that brings consumers and producers
03:19together. Now it's my turn. I've got my basket. I've got my clippers. I've got my boots. Let's pick
03:24some grapes. Chabiant's grapes benefit from Chirvon Valley's unique microclimate and the volcanic nature
03:31of the soil. Italian winemaker Marco Catalani is the mastermind behind Chabiant's unique philosophy.
03:37Our philosophy is to bring our knowledge and adopt them to the world at zero.
03:46The world at zero means traditions, landscapes, discover people who can give us all the
03:54spunti possibili per aumentare il potenziale della viticoltura. Marco gave me a peek at the production
04:03process. The grapes mature in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, which give the wines a complex
04:09aroma and taste. I couldn't leave before enjoying the fruits of my labor, poolside at Chabiant's guesthouse.
04:16We have our own grapes, 2,050 hectares, and six varieties. And we want to take off the local varieties,
04:24such as Bayan Shara and Madrasa. Bayan Shara has a lot of the fruity, maracuja, citrus aromas,
04:31and vanilla. The second one is Madrasa. This wine is a deep intensity color, deep like a garden,
04:38deep ruby. Local dishes pair perfectly, highlighting delicious late summer produce from this mountainous
04:44region. There was even cheese made in Ivanovka. It feels like farm to table is just standard living
04:49out here. And it's been a delicious journey learning how to enjoy the slow life in East
04:54Miley and Ivanovka.
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