Areni Winery – Khor Virap

120 km from Yerevan, on the left bank of the Arpa River in the Vayots Dzor province of Armenia, lies the tiny village Areni - a pilgrimage site for connoisseurs of vintage wines and unique architectural monuments.

Since 2009, the village has hosted an annual international wine festival — a large-scale cultural event dedicated to tasting both young and aged locally produced wines, in particular the products of Areni Winery, founded in 1994 on the basis of a small family enterprise.

The winery stands at the entrance to the village and is open to visitors free of charge: tours of the production hall, cellar, and vineyard are usually led by the owners themselves, who describe in detail all stages of producing the famous wine, which is exported to the CIS countries and Europe.

At the end of the tour, guests are offered a tasting - some exclusive varieties are available only in the shop located on the winery’s premises.

Thanks to its geographical location, the road will not seem long. On the way to Areni, we will stop at the Khor Virap Monastery

In the tasting hall of Areni Winery, visitors can sample red and white fruit and berry wines free of charge. Pomegranate and apricot wines are especially popular among tourists. Quince, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, and peach wines are often bought as gifts for friends and colleagues: their bright flavors, evoking memories of summer and vacation, offer an incomparable unique pleasure.

The drinks are accompanied by free snacks: juicy fruits and berries, fragrant dried fruits, and nuts.

For those who have spent long hours on the road and are feeling quite hungry, there is a café on the second floor of the building, where visitors can not only enjoy Armenian cuisine but also watch a short demonstration video outlining the main stages of wine production.

Visitors are also welcome to explore the cellar, filled with giant wooden barrels of aging wine and shelves lined with vintage bottles, the production hall, where bottles are sealed, and the souvenir shop, where you can purchase authentic handmade items crafted by local craftsman.

Historically, the village Areni is considered the “cradle” of Armenian winemaking. It is here that one of the oldest grape varieties, used in wine production and bearing the same name — “Areni” –  is cultivated. Legends about this place have been confirmed by archaeological discoveries: in one of the caves of Areni (“Birds’ Cave”), an ancient grape press was found, estimated to be about 6,000 years old. Numerous jars, vessels, and tools once used in ancient winemaking were also uncovered here.

Cost of a Private Tour (up to 4 people): 30,000 AMD per vehicle

Cost of a Group Tour (6 or more people): 7,000 AMD per person

Departure: 13:30 (after lunch)

Book here! For more details, call +7 958 402 21 61 or message us in the chat - we’re always online!