Did you know that Armenia has a thriving wine tourism industry?
Turkey is renowned for its food, and Georgia’s famous for its wine. But nestled between these two neighbours is a country well-placed to bring together the best of dining and drinking experiences. That fortunate destination is, of course, Armenia. Kamila Erkaboyeva discovered its wine tourism delights for The Travel Magazine.
What you need to know about Armenian wines
Since Armenia gained independence in 1991, the country’s wine industry has undergone a remarkable renaissance. Much of this revival has been driven by the return of the Armenian diaspora, whose passion for quality winemaking has propelled Armenia onto the global wine stage, earning it a fitting moniker: “the youngest oldest wine industry in the world.”
For a country of modest size, Armenia offers a surprisingly diverse topography and terroir, boasting over 400 catalogued indigenous grape varieties. Many of these varieties – such as Areni for red and sparkling wines, and Voskehat for white – are rarely grown anywhere else. Traditionally made wines are aged in karas, terracotta vessels akin to a Georgian qvevri, and this technique plus the native grape varieties give Armenian wines their unique flavours.
Armenian wine regions every wine lover should know
The Vayots Dzor region is a hub for Armenian viticulture, where grapes thrive in volcanic soils and a cooler climate. This region’s vineyards, some perched at nearly 1,800 metres above sea level, remained largely untouched during the Soviet era, preserving them from the ravages of phylloxera. Here, vineyards are planted on their own roots, a rare and precious characteristic in the world of wine.
Aragats, in the northwest corner of Armenia, has seen significant investment in recent years, transforming its landscape with new vineyards and modern wineries. Located within easy reach of Yerevan, Aragats offers an enticing day trip for wine lovers. The region’s vineyards, at elevations of 1,100 to 1,400 metres, are planted in soils shaped by ancient lava flows from Mount Aragats. Grapes like Areni, Voskehat, Rkatsiteli, and the lesser-known Kangun, Haghtanak, and Karmrahyut flourish here.
Visit a winery in Armenia
The standout wine experience in Aragats is a visit to Van Ardi, a family-owned winery established in 2008. With sweeping views of Mount Aragats, guests can savour a meal of lake trout or lamb on the patio, paired with glasses of Syrah (grown from California cuttings), Areni, Voskehat, and Kangun — a local white grape known for its floral and tropical aromas. This blend of tradition and modernity exemplifies the unique charm of Armenian wine tourism.
Varuzhan Mouradian is the visionary founder, winemaker, and driving force behind this ambitious and highly successful winery. Once settled in Los Angeles with a thriving career in finance, Mouradian harboured a deep-seated dream: to return to his ancestral homeland and craft wines that would capture its land’s character and beauty in every bottle. For years, Mouradian immersed himself in the study of viticulture, wine production, and winery management. He persuaded his wife and four children to join him on this bold new adventure, trading their comfortable life in LA for the rugged terrain of a small village far from Yerevan. Even the name “Van Ardi” carries a personal story: it means “Sun of Van”, a nod to the city and lake in eastern Turkey from where Mouradian’s ancestors hailed.
Educate yourself at Armenia’s top wine museum
Only 10 minutes drive from Van Ardi is the Wine History Museum of Armenia. Located in the Armenian Highlands, it offers a captivating journey through the rich history of viticulture and winemaking, blending historical interpretation with cutting-edge interactive experiences. Here, visitors don’t just learn about facts: they engage with the centuries-old Armenian culture in an immersive and innovative way.
The museum’s main exhibition hall is a marvel, located 8m deep within the ancient basalt rock. This underground space takes visitors through the chronological evolution of winemaking in Armenia. One of the museum’s standout exhibits tells the tale of an 8,000-year-old grape pit unearthed in the Aratashen dig site in Armavir Province by an Armenian-French archaeological team. A replica of this ancient pit is proudly displayed, offering a tangible connection to the distant past.
To enhance the experience, guests can explore the exhibits while savouring a glass of fine wine. Hayk Gyulamiryan, a researcher at Armenia’s Institute of Archeology and Ethnography and the museum’s director, envisions this museum as a vibrant space, much like a well-aged wine that breathes and evolves. His goal is to move away from the traditional, quiet museum setting, fostering an environment where visitors’ reactions and interactions with the exhibits are as important as the artefacts themselves. “In this museum, people matter,” Gyulamiryan emphasises. “For example, observing their reaction to this ancient vessel is fascinating. It’s this dynamic that brings the museum to life.”
Celebrate everything about wine at a festival in Yerevan
If you find yourself in Yerevan during the summer, you’re in for a treat. Three of the capital’s most vibrant streets – Saryan, Moskovyan, and Tumanyan – become the backdrop for lively celebrations during the annual Wine Days festival. These bustling thoroughfares are closed to traffic, so locals and international visitors can safely wander and indulge in the finest wines from Armenia’s diverse vineyards. The event has become increasingly popular, drawing over 150,000 attendees in 2024, nearly a third of whom came from abroad.
Yerevan Wine Days isn’t just a festival; it’s a cultural phenomenon and a significant driver of economic growth in Armenia. By reviving and showcasing ancient Armenian winemaking traditions, the festival aims to cement Armenia’s reputation as one of the world’s cradles of wine.
The festival is an immersive experience, divided into four distinct zones: wine, gastronomy, music, and charity. The music zone features two stages where a diverse lineup of Armenian and international artists perform, setting a lively soundtrack for the festivities. Beyond tasting wine, visitors can also participate in a variety of activities, including raffles with prizes ranging from wine packages and branded items to trips abroad and high-end smartphones. Flash mobs, dance performances, and interactive games add to the festive atmosphere. The event also offers a platform for dozens of food companies, giving them a chance to showcase their products and gain visibility among the large crowds.
Fact File
FLY: The fastest way to fly from London to Yerevan is via Istanbul with Pegasus Airways, although Wizz Air has cheaper tickets (but longer travel time) via Vienna.
STAY: The Courtyard by Marriott Yerevan, where rooms start from £94 per night.
Do I need a visa to visit Armenia?
British and EU passport holders can visit Armenia without a visa, staying for up to 180 days within any calendar year.
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