Wine Routes Millennia Ago and Today

The morning starts by heading to the Southern part of Armenia. From Yerevan we move towards Areni village.

Visiting Areni-1 Cave Complex - multicomponent site, and late Chalcolithic Early Bronze Age ritual settlement, located near the Areni village. In 2010, archeologists discovered the earliest known shoe (5500 years old) at the site. In January 2011 the earliest known winery (about 6100 years old) in the world was uncovered in the cave. Later, in 2011 the discovery of a straw skirt dating to 3,900 years BC was reported. In 2009, the oldest humanoid brain was discovered in the cave.

Then we will have a nice Lunch and Wine Tasting at “Momik” Wine Cube. Nver Ghazaryan’s family has been growing and producing wine from the endemic Areni grape near Areni village for more than 40 years. The results of their efforts are quality wines, one of which was awarded "Best Homemade Wine" at Areni Wine Festival in 2011. You can taste some of these wines and learn about Armenian winemaking traditions with Nver and his wife Narine. After demonstrating wine production and offering some tastings, Nver and Narine will guide you through their small vineyard to learn more about Areni grapes and micro-wineries. Nestled in one of Vayots Dzor’s many valleys, their vineyard is a wonderful illustration of the natural beauty, winemaking traditions, and hospitality of Armenia.

Then we will continue our tour to Armenian architectural masterpiece Noravank Monastic Complex. Noravank means “New Monastery” in Armenian. However, today this name does not fit, as the monastery is already more than eight centuries old. The beautiful Noravank Monastery was built in the 13th century.

The monastery complex is located on a steep mountain ledge, near the cliff. The territory is “framed” by unusual cliffs of bright red color, which create a very picturesque background for the buildings. Noravank monastery is one of the most visited attractions in Armenia

Back to Yerevan.