Vayots Dzor

It is certainly not Armenia’s largest wine-growing region, but it is undoubtedly the most prestigious, as it is planted with indigenous grape varieties such as Areni (red) and Voskehat (white), and the road that runs through this wine-growing region takes you through postcard-perfect scenery. You’ll also find the village of Areni, from which the grape variety takes its name. This region is also home to the Areni-1 complex, which is arguably the oldest wine-making facility in the world, with its irrigation canals and “Karas” (terracotta amphorae) dating back to the Iron Age. The entire region around Areni is covered with vineyards, and this wine-growing region rivals even the most beautiful wine-growing regions in the world in terms of its beauty. This region was spared from phylloxera, likely due to its geographical isolation, and the region can boast some of the highest vineyards in the world, ranging from 1,400 to 1,650 meters above sea level. The region’s finest reds, made from Areni grapes, are delicate, refined, and elegant, while the whites, produced from Voskehat—which translates to “golden seed”—are rich yet light, with mineral notes of honey and apricot. When Armenia is ready to introduce a classification system for its wine-growing regions and vineyards, Vayots Dzor will undoubtedly be the first to be designated.