In Armenia, wine, cuisine, music, dance and friends are intertwined into one amazing whole, which can satisfy every taste and inflame the soul. The recent discovery of the oldest winery in the world (with more than 6000 years of history) has allowed Armenia to strengthen its right to be called the birthplace of wine. We hope that, thanks to this Wine tour, guests will get close to the wine culture of Armenia!
Day 1 – Yerevan
Arrival at “Zvartnots” International Airport, Yerevan. Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
Lunch (depending on arrival time).
City tour in Yerevan in the evening.
The tourists will have a bit of walking tour in the center of the city, seeing the main square of the city, the Opera and Ballet House, the new avenue called Northern Avenue, as well as other structures.
Further:
The Cascade Complex – The Complex represents a structure made up from huge stairs, while numerous fountains leave the impression of a waterfall. Cafesjian Center for the Arts is also located here. In the Cascade Complex one can see works of modern sculptors like F. Botero, J. Brychtová,S. Libenský, J. Plensa and many others.
After the city tour, we will head to the wine bar-shop “In Vino”, where we will try “Armeau” – the first Armenian brand of ice wine. The fine wine “Armeau” made using the Canadian technology has two varieties – red and white.
Dinner in the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel, the visit will be organized to the Museum of Parajanov:
Sergei Iosifovich Paradzhanov (January 9, 1924, Tbilisi – July 21, 1990, Yerevan) – Soviet film director and screenwriter.
In 2010, the Institute of Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov (Parajanov-Vartanov Institute) was founded in Hollywood to study their work.
After the tourists will be taken to Echmiadzin.
Echmiadzin is the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the Holy See of the head of the church – the Catholicos. The city is considered to be the spiritual capital of Armenia and is located 20km from Yerevan.
Echmiadzin Cathedral was constructed in 301-303 by the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the first Catholicos Gregory the Illuminator. It is considered to be the first Christian church in the world. Inside the church one can find the Treasury (museum) where church relics are kept, among which tourists can see a fragment of Noah’s Ark, Holy Lance that was used by a roman soldier to pierce the side of Jesus Christ and other interesting objects.
Ruins of Zvartnots Temple – Zvartnots was constructed in 643-652, had a unique structure which was different from typical Armenian medieval churches. However, unfortunately, it got destroyed approximately in the 10th century. The ruins of the temple were found at the beginning of the 20th century, and a very little part of it is reconstructed.
Then our path will lie in “Maran Winery”.
Despite the fact that “Maran Winery” is a wine boutique, it occupies a huge territory, which in the times of the Soviet Union belonged to the largest winery in Armenia.
Return to Yerevan. Dinner in the local restaurant.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from the hotel, the way will take us to the region Aragatsotn.
The first stop we will have in the winery “Voskevaz”
“Voskevaz” – A legend with your own hands.
Here we will have a tour and tasting.
Further:
Saghmosavank – Monastery of Psalms. It is located in the Aragatsotn region, north of Mughni. The monastery was built in 12-13 centuries. Vachutyan family and consists of four buildings: the main church of St. Zion, porch, book depository and a small chapel of the Holy Virgin.
Monument of Armenian Alphabet – is located in the village of Artashavan of the Aragatsotn region, on the western slope of Mount Aragats. It was built in 2005, to the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet, designed by architect Jim Torosyan. The monument consists of 39 painted letters of the Armenian alphabet.
For lunch, we will visit the winery “ArmAs” – the newly opened huge plant. Working with leading Italian specialists, “ArmAs” is trying to raise Armenia’s winemaking to a new level. We will try their “Areni” (red), rosé wines accompanied by exquisite Armenian dishes, and enjoy the view of the Ararat valley and Mount Ararat.
Return to Yerevan. Free time. Dinner in the local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Yerevan – Khor Virap – Zorah – Old Bridge – Yerevan
After breakfast tourists start their tour driving to the Ararat region.
Khor Virap is situated on one of the hills of the historic city of Artashat. Gregory the Enlightner, the founder of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was imprisoned here in the pit for 13 years. The monastery is considered to be a pilgrimage site for the Armenians. An incredible view on the symbol of Armenia – Mount Ararat opens up from here. Unfortunately, the mountain now is not in the territory of Armenia.
We continue our tour towards Vayots-dzor region. After driving through the canyon of the river Amaghu we reach the Noravank monastic complex.
After we will go to the winery “Zorah”, which is located in the village of Rind. After 12 years of work in the Fall of 2012, “Zorah” presented its first vintage wine to the world.
Specializing only in the production of wine brand “Areni”, in 2012, the wine “Karasi Areni 2010” of the company “Zorah” was recognized as one of the 10 best new wines of the world according to the magazine “Business Week”.
After lunch, we will go to the town of Areni, to the winery “Old Bridge”. This small winery produces high quality Areni wine in very small batches.
Return to Yerevan. Dinner in the local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5- Ararat Brandy Factory – Vernissage – Fruit Market – Transfer
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will visit to Ararat Brandy Factory and Museum where our guests will explore the 120-year history of one of the world’s most renowned brandy factories, and see the oldest Armenian barrels produced and the awards that Ararat has won through the decades. The visit includes cognac tasting.
Then visit the souvenir market “Vernissage” and the colorful grocery market. (by guests’ request only)
“Vernissage” is not only a place where one can find pictures, but also Armenian duduk, icons, semiprecious stones, daggers, carpets and copper pots and coffee grinders of the nineteenth century can be purchased on the market – so it’s worth to visit it for buying souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport.
** The program can be adjusted based on your wishes.
Our Wine Tour is a path through history of wine-making in its cradle.
We believe Armenia to be one of the world’s great undiscovered tourism destinations and it is our passion to share this region with you.
We have assembled an all-star team of knowledgeable and service-oriented guides and staff members, who save no effort to make any visit to Armenia the most memorable and enjoyable one.
