Wine tour in Armenia

Breakfast at the hotel. Start city tour in Yerevan including City center, Republic square, State University, City panorama, Mother Armenia Monument, Parliament, President’s Palace, Opera, Sports & Concert Complex. Visit to the Genocide Memorial, dedicated to the Victims of 1915 and the Genocide Museum.

Visit to Matenadaran (depository for ancient manuscripts, the collection of which is one of the biggest in the world). This outstanding collection includes manuscripts dating from 7th century and is widely appreciated by history and art amateurs and professionals.

Visit to Cascade complex, the modern art center of Yerevan, with art pieces displayed throughout the whole area: the boulevard and up the stairs, from top of which you can enjoy the panoramic view on the city and Mountain Ararat.

Visit to Armenian brandy factory ,,ArArAt’’ which keeps the tradition of the legendary Cognac since 1887. Degustation of 2 types of Armenian brandy (possible to order upgraded package including degustation of 3 types of brandy).

Optional: Armenian wine spa center where you can  have different spa treatments like Wine Steam Bath, body peeling with grapeseed and fruit pul, Hydromassage bath with wine, Massage with grapeseed oil.

In the evening stop at the cosy winebar “In Vino”, the first wine bar of Yerevan. Here you will have the chance to discover wines from different regions of Armenia. You will try  white, rosé and  red wines.

O/n in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the monastery complex Saghmosavank, located  on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh river. Saghmosavank is one of the main Monasteries of Armenia: the Church of Zion in Saghmosavank (1215 y.) was erected by Prince Vache Vachutyan. The book depository of Saghmosavank located on the territory of the Monastery, was built in 1255 A.D. under Prince Kurd Vachutyan. Many richly ornamented stone crosses have been preserved on the territory of the monasteries.

Drive to Sasunik village,  visit ,,Armenia wine’’ family owned winery. It’s one of the most beautiful wineries of the Historic World of wine. Constructed in accordance with the best traditions of Armenian architecture, the winery resembles medieval Armenian fortresses. Its beautiful orange walls of volcanic tuff have the most welcoming and exciting effect on the visitors. The excursion will start by visiting the biodynamic vineyards of the company, followed of tasting of different wines in well equipped degustation room.

The company produces still red, rose and white, dry and semisweet wines, as well as sparklings under different brands: ,, Armenia’’, ,, Yerevan’’ ,,Takar’’, and ,,Tariri’’.  Local Kangun grape variety is used for still white and sparkling wine production, and Arnenian Areni, as well as  French Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are used for reds.

Next discovery will be at ,,VanArdi’’ family boutique winery. Excursion on the winery overlooking the winyards with Ararat biblic mountain on backround. Tasting from the barrels 3 types of wines: red, white and rosé.

Lunch at the winery.

Continuation of the trip to  “Voskevaz” winery, established in 1932 and with a long tradition of wine production. It is one of the few wineries of Armenia, representing wines fermented and aged in traditional clay amphoras – karases. The winery makes 11 different types of wines, including fruit wines made of pomegranate and strawberry. Tasting 2 wines from Classic line and 1 from Vintage line.

Drive to ,,ArmAs Winery’’ which was founded in 2007. The company produces white, red and rose wines. The aging of the wine is made in  French and Karabakh oak barrels . Tasting of 3 types of wines.

Drive back to Yerevan.

O/N in Yerevan.

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Ararat valley. First visit family owned “Tushpa winery”. Visit Khor Virap church, the holy place of imprisonment of St. Gregory the Illuminator accused by Armenian king of preaching Christianity. Here you can also see the closest and most spectacular view of the gorgeous biblical mountain Ararat shining with its two white peaks.

Departure to the region of Vayots Dzor, one of the great wine centers in Armenia. Following the excavations carried out in Areni a 6,100-year-old 5 winery and wine cellar with a wine press for stomping grapes, fermentation and storage containers, drinking cups, grape vines, skins, and seedswere found. This is the earliest winery and wine cellar found to date. The findings indicated large scale wine production, quite possibly one of the earliest retail winery. The new generations of Armenian winemakers continue the traditions of viticulture with great dynamism by cultivating the uniqueness of their vineyard. Short tour in the cave.

Drive to Aghavnadzor village to ,,Trinity Canyon Vineyards’’. Situated  on 1300 m above sea level the vineyards are divided in 3 plot, planted in 2003, 2009 and 2013. The company use mix of Armenian and international grape varieties such as Voskehat, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. This is unique company that produces organic wine in Armenia with brand ,,6100 Trinity Ancestors Orange Wine’’ using traditional wine making techniques of thousands years and the fermentation is making in terracotta vessels ,,karases’’ without any sulfur addition.

Tasting of 3 types of wine with Mr. Hovakim Saghatelyan, who will present the history and traditions of viticulture in Armenia, as well as the gastronomy appropriate to the wines offered. The tasting will be followed by lunch.

Then route goes through incredibly beautiful scenery toward  to Noravank monastery (13-14 cc.), that the visitors can not resist stepping out of the vehicle and walk all the way to the Monastery with their cameras to enjoy and record the unique bizarre-shaped precipitous red cliffs.

The last discover for this day will be  in small family winery “Old Bridge”. It was established in  1998. The vineyards are located in five different geographical locations on the banks of the river Arpa,  1200-1300 m above sea level. This boutique winery is specilaised in producing wine using Armenian grapes such as Areni, Voskehat, Kakheti  varietals.

Drive back to Yerevan.

O/N in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Sevan, one of the greatest high mountainous freshwater lakes of Eurasia. Visit Sevanavank monastery, which stands in its greatness on the peninsula overlooking the lake for centuries. Drive to mountanieus resort Dilijan, or so called “Armenian Switzerland”, which is well-known for its forests as well as for its mysterious flora and fauna. During the drive one can enjoy the unbelievable change of the surrounding environment and landshaft from the mountainous lake to the green and rich forest mountains. Visit to Haghartsin Monastery complex, located in the secluded place of the forest. The place is so unique and the scenery with the nature surrounding it is so breathtaking that most of visitors are in awe. Appearing unexpectedly, out of the dense forests, in front of the visitors, the Monastery creates a magical impression of a lost world.

Drive to Ijevan,  city in the Tavush region, surrounded with high mountains covered with thick forests, turning into alpine meadows in certain areas.

Visit to ,,Ijevan wine and Brandy factory’’. This is one of the ancient wine factories in Armenia. Founded in 1951 the company produces 40 different types of wine, such as ,, Ijevan white dry’’, ,,Ijevan Saperavi’’, ,,Ijevan blackberry’’, ,,Haghartsin sparkling wine’’, as well as brandy and vodka. Tasting of different types of wine.

Drive back to Yerevan.

O/N in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Zvartnots, a temple of Vigil Forces, built in 641—661 A.D. and is considered one of the architectural wonders and unique example of Armenian architecture of early Christian period. It was damaged by an earthquake in the 10th century. Тhe ruins of this cathedral still speak about the rare beauty of it. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000).

After continuation to Etchmiadzin, the spiritual and administrative center of Armenian Apostolic Church. Visitto Etchmiadzin Cathedral, one of the ancient churches in the Christian world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2000).

Drive to Musaler village, visit ,,Maran Winery’’. The origins of Maran dates back to 1830s, when Sargis, the son of Eynat, the Prince of Khoy, and his wife Maran repatriated from Persia to the Armenian province of Vayots Dzor. Maran is the first company that produces wine in Republic of Armenia after independence. The winyards are located in Vayots Dzor region in Aghavnadzor  village 20 hectares, 5 km north from Arpa gorge. Tasting of different types of wines.

Next discovery will be  ,,Karas Winery’’. The visit starts in the viewpoint of vineyard. Starting the tour around reservoirs greenhouses and winery.  Wine tasting including Classic Red, Classic White, Sparkling Extra Brut and Rose/Sparkling Semi-Sweet Dyutich.

 Continuing tour to expagt family owned ,,Voskeni Winery’’. The family  moved to Armenia from Boston in the early 1920s. Tasting delicious wine, sample gourmet Armenian food and savor stunning scenery and vine-drenched horizons just one hour from Yerevan.

Drive back to Yerevan.

O/N in Yerevan

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the only remaining pagan temple in Armenia devoted to the God of Sun – Myrth, in Garni, built in 77 AD by King Trdat (Arshakid Dynasty). Photo stop at Charentc Arc. The temple is Greco-Roman style with characteristic pillars. It stands proudly on a rocky ridge with a deep canyon presenting a beautiful view. The temple was a summer residence for Arshakid dynasty. Visit to the ruins of Royal Palace and Royal bath-house nearby. The Garni Canyon is a breathtaking natural wonder, featuring majestic basalt columns that resemble the pipes of a grand musical organ. This awe-inspiring landscape, with its dramatic cliffs, is aptly named the “Symphony of Stones” for its stunning visual harmony. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination.

Optional: take 4×4 wheels tracks to visit the impressive Garni Canyon – magnificent and outstanding scene, which creates the image of falling crags. It obtained the name “Symphony of Stones” due to its view. The fantastic landscape of Garni canyon shakes the human imagination.

Optional: Enjoy a private performance of the Armenian national musical instrument, the duduk (known as Tsiranapogh, which means “apricot trumpet”) at the ancient Garni Temple. Following the performance, a local musician will share insights into the duduk’s origins, its cultural symbolism, and the unique qualities that give this instrument its rich, evocative sound. The duduk’s haunting melodies, famously featured in the movie Gladiator, will leave you with a deep appreciation for Armenia’s musical heritage.

Then a family hosted lunch in village house with watching of “Lavash” (Armenian traditional flat bread baked in stone-make oven) making process, tasting authentic Armenian food, get acquainted with local village life. Tasting of homemade vodka made from different fruits (apricot, grape, pitch, apple or mulberry) and homemade wine.

Drive to the unique caved temple St. Geghard (12th -13th cc.), the name of which means “holy spear” in the honor of the long-preserved spear, the same spear that pierced the body of crucified Christ. It is now exhibited in the museum of Etchmiadzin Cathedral. Geghard Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list (2000).

Optional: Concert of liturgical songs in the monastery Geghard where amazing acoustics allows everyone to enjoy crystal-clear sounds.

Drive back to Yerevan.

O/n in Yerevan.