Wine tour "The secrets of Armenian wine-making" (7 days /6 nights)

Wine origin is disputed by many countries, including Armenia. It is known that the oldest winery in the world was found in the village of Areni, located on the banks of the Arpa River in the cave Areni-1. It produced wine for over six thousand years ago.

Cognac and wine are part of Armenian heritage - a national treasure, a symbol of rebirth and wealth, and wine tour in Armenia is becoming more and more popular every year.

Wine tour in Armenia - tasting holidays in Armenia - is a great opportunity to enjoy cognac and wine where they are produced. During the wine tour "The secrets of Armenian wine-making" you will not only get acquainted with the traditions of their production, wine cellars, storage and drinking, but also you will learn about a country with rich historical and cultural heritage. You will visit cultural and historical sites, which are under protection of UNESCO, and enjoy the unique and original architecture of Armenia.

Arrival and meeting in Zvartnots airport

The tour starts with a walking trip through the city. Architecture of capital is original and distinctive. Today, Yerevan is a city where there are a variety of architectural styles, with green alleys, numerous fountains. You will be able to see the sights in Yerevan: the square of France, the Opera and Ballet House, Northern Avenue, the Republic Square.

We shall then proceed to the Grand Cascade (open-air museum). It is a 500-meter high staircase (522 steps) with fountains and flower beds, as well as an open air museum, which presents about 30 sculptures by famous masters. Inside the complex Cafesjian Center of Arts is located on 5 tiers.

After that we continue our wine tour in Armenia and visit Yerevan Brandy (cognac) Factory, where we will taste 3 types of brandies - "Akhtamar", "Nairi" and  "Dvin".

Transfer to the hotel / Check in

This day trip begins with a visit to the monastery of Khor Virap - one of the symbols of Armenia. The Monastery is a fortress located just 40 kilometers far from Yerevan, and less than a kilometer from the republic's border with Turkey. Khor Virap is a place of pilgrimage, which is associated with the legend of Gregory the Illuminator (Grigor the Illuminator). According to church tradition, Gregory was imprisoned on the order of King Trdat III for preaching Christianity, and spent there 13 years. Those interested can go down to the prison, which has a depth of 6 m and a diameter of 4.4 m. Right in front of you, very, very close and in all its beauty you will see the symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat.

Then we continue our way to the village of Areni in Vayots Dzor region of Armenia. We visit the "Cave of the birds", where the oldest winery in the world and the world's oldest shoe, which was more than 5500 years old, were found. Village of Areni is famous for its wines till now. Every year in October the annual festival of wines takes place there.

After lunch, we will visit "Areni" wine factory and taste Armenian wine in the tasting room of the factory. The wines of this producer differ in their unique tastes. The bouquet of the fragrance is revealed gradually leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

Next, we go to Noravank monastery complex, built in XIII-XIV centuries, which is located 1.5 kilometers east of the village of Areni. The complex is located on a narrow ledge winding gorge tributary of the Arpa River. The gorge is famous for its steep red cliffs, towering behind the monastery.

Back to Yerevan.

Breakfast in the hotel

On this day we start the tour with a visit to the monastery  Saghmosavank (XII-XIII c.). Located on the right bank of the picturesque gorge of Kasakh River, opposite the mountain Arailer (2600m.). These monasteries provide an opportunity to feel the power and antiquity of Armenian architecture.

Stop at Square alphabet. This is a monument to the Armenian alphabet, which consists of the 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet. There are monuments to Mesrop Mashtots and his disciples.

Visit "Van Ardi" Winery - a small winery located on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mt. Aragats (hence the name of the nearby region, Aragats-otn). This winery was established by Varuzhan Muradian, a former California resident who returned to his ancestral homeland only a few years ago. Here, you will get acquainted with the wine-making process, from the sorting of grapes until the bottling of wine, when its ready to be poured into the glasses.

Next we visit "Armenia" Wine Factory. The factory retains and strengthens its positions in the Armenian and international markets, while maintaining the best traditions in the production of cognac and wines.

Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

A visit to Vernissage - the market of folk art products. Here you will find hand-made chess and backgammon made of wood, ceramic pots, made in national style, handmade ornaments, traditional musical instruments, silverware, paintings and many more things.

Next we visit the St. Echmiadzin - the center of the Armenian Gregorian Church, where the residence of the Catholicos is located. We will visit Echmiadzin Cathedral (301-483 AD), which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, the museum and the treasury of Echmiadzin, which houses the Spear of Longinus (Spear of Destiny, Spear of Christ), a part of Noah's Ark, the patella John Baptist,etc.

We visit the ruins of Zvartnots temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake. In 2000, the ruins of the temple and the archaeological area around it are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Trip to Voskevaz Winery (in Armenian means "golden bunch"). Voskevaz Winery is located in Aragatsotn region of Armenia in the village by the same name. Winery was established in 1932. The renaissance of the winery began in 2004. Today Voskevaz produces wine using both modern wine-making technology and traditional old karases that were made in the 19th century. Karas, a traditional vessel for wine fermentation and aging, was used on the territory of Armenia from ancient times.

Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

The day begins with a trip along the coast of the pearl of Armenia - blue Sevan. Lake Sevan is a freshwater lake in the Armenian highlands. It is the largest lake in the Caucasus. It is guaranteed to be the largest source of fresh water in the region. We will also visit the Sevanavank - a monastery in the north-west coast of Lake Sevan. The monastery is located on a peninsula, which was once a small island.

We continue the tour to the city of Ijevan, where we will have an excursion to the Ijevan winery, built in 1951. The factory is located between the rivers Aghstev and Spitak Jur. Being located in the north-eastern part of Armenia its organic vineyards have favorable climatic conditions for the growth of European grapes. Ijevan winery is one of the leaders in the export of Armenian wines and brandy. And, of course, after the tour we will have wine tasting of 6 varieties of Armenian wines.

The next stop will be Haghartsin Monastery, which was built in the X-XIII centuries, mostly under the auspices of the Bagratuni Dynasty.

Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

A visit to the central market in Yerevan. Dried fruits - a national treasure and the usual accompaniment to cognac. In Armenia, it seems, they can make them of anything you wish. Including watermelon, cantaloupe and even tomatoes!

Next is the pagan temple of Garni. Garni Temple built in the 1st century by the Armenian King Tiridates I and dedicated to the God of the Sun Areg (Mihr). The temple is at the edge of a triangular cliff, which overlooks the ravine of the Azat River and the Gegham mountains.

Next we are going to taste some fruit vodka made from mulberry, cornel, apricot, plum etc. Vodka is a strong alcoholic beverage widely known all over the world. However, few people know that the Armenians started making fruit vodka more than 2000 years ago. Armenia has always been famous not only for wine but for fruit vodka too, which has been prepared since ancient times. First records about making fruit vodka dates back to 2nd century BC. Evidence of this is the cuneiform of the Urartian kings.

Master-class of baking lavash in tandoor

Next stop is Geghard monastery complex (IV century), which is included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. Its full name is Geghardavank, literally it is translated as "Monastery of the spear". The name of the monastery complex comes from Christ Spear (Spear of Longinus), which the Roman soldier Longinus thrust in Jesus Christ. The spear is now kept in the treasury of Echmiadzin Cathedral.

Back to Yerevan

Breakfast in the hotel

Check out

Next stop is the Vernissage - the market of folk art products. Here you will find hand-made chess and backgammon made of wood, ceramic pots, made in national style, handmade ornaments, traditional musical instruments, silverware, paintings and many more things.

Afterwards we visit Yerevan Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory "Noah". After the factory tour, we taste various types of brandy and wine.

Transfer to airport

If you still have questions about the tour organization in Armenia, then it is very easy to contact us! You can order a call on the website, send an email or just SMS. We will get back to you shortly