ABOUT ARMENIAN WINE
Welcome to Armenia’s Winemaking Renaissance.
Armenia’s ancient history in winemaking and its favorable topography of high elevation and limestone and volcanic soil creates conditions for wine of incredible quality.
Winemaking History
Armenia, one of the most ancient countries in the world, is considered the cradle of wine – the country where wine production was born. Over its history, winemaking has stopped and started due to geopolitical conflict and politics. However, much like Armenians themselves, grape-growing and wine production has survived through millennia, and today, it is experiencing a renaissance.
Elevation
Soil
In Armenia, the vineyard soil is predominantly volcanic with some areas of limestone and clay in the south. Volcanic soils provide good drainage and encourage grapevines to grow deep to seek nutrients, resulting in the development of desirable flavor and texture compounds. Meanwhile limestone soil retains moisture in dry weather and offers good drainage in cold weather.
Grapes
Armenia is rich in grapevine diversity, and it is believed many of the grapes in modern day wine making have their origin in the Vitis vinifera, a grapevine native to Armenian territory. Today, approximately 30 native grape varieties are cultivated in Armenia, with the most well known varietals including Areni (red), Khndoghni (red) and Voskehat (white). Armenia’s grape varietals offer diverse but familiar flavor profiles – for example Areni is called the “Pinot Noir of Armenia.”
Explore Our Brands
KEUSH
The first traditional method sparkling wine crafted from Armenian Indigenous varieties. Grapes are sourced from high elevation vineyards 1750m above sea level grown in volcanic soil. These are the highest vineyards in Armenia and among the highest vineyards in the world to produce Methode Traditionelle.
ZULAL
Zulal means pure in Armenian. These wines aim to express the purest characteristics of Armenian indigenous grape varieties. High elevation viticulture, extreme climate, and volcanic soil give these wines their distinct character.
Shofer rosé embodies the rich, red-berried nature of Areni, Armenia’s leading red grape variety. Filled with aromas of cherry and strawberry, the palate is refreshing, dry and packs real punch in terms of flavor.
Oshin was founded in 2017 by Vahe Keushguerian, Vahe Gabrache, and Arman Manoukian. Oshin is a small production wine; grapes for Oshin are grown by 2 grape-growers in Vayots Dzor and grapevines are approximately 40-60 year old, yielding grapes that are ripe and deeply concentrated in flavor.