Wine & Culinary Weekend Experience in Armenia

Spend a weekend discovering Armenia's fine wines and delicious gastronomy with this unique weekend experience!

Day 1: Yerevan
Start your exploration of Yerevan City with a tour including all major sights such as monument Mother Armenia, Cascade Complex, Baghramyan Ave, Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex - from where you will also have a beautiful view of mountain Ararat - Opera House and Republic Square. Together with your expert wine guide, you will later visit one of the city's popular wine bars to familiarise with the Armenian indigenous grape varieties, terroir and learn about Armenia’s rich viticultural history, dating back a whopping 6,100 years. You will taste 5 of the finest wines paired with local cheese with a sommelier. Overnight stay in Yerevan.

Day 2: Khor Virap, Areni, Noravank
Start your trip to Ararat valley, Armenia's southern wine route, visiting two of the most popular wineries and one of the most popular sites of Armenian history. You’ll visit high altitude vineyards, discover indigenous grape varieties and taste a variety of local wines. The first stop is the Monastery of Khor Virap, which is located 200 meters away from the Turkish border and is considered to be a pilgrimage center for all Armenians, from where we can have the best view of Biblical Mount Ararat. Later, visit Areni village famous for its rich wine history and vineyards. Visit the Areni Cave or Bird’s Cave, where archaeologists, found the world’s oldest wine cellar (6200 years old).
Next we'll visit Noa Vineyards, one of the high altitude vineyards in the world and enjoy a wine tasting of 4 types of wines: white, red, rose and sweet dessert wine, including vintages, with a view of the mountains. The tour continues to Noravank Monastery, surrounded by red rocks.
Finally, we'll stop by the enchanting Momik winery, a small wine cube located in the heart of hectares of vineyards. Hosted by owner and the winemaker himself, you’ll learn the history of the winery and try their finest white, red and rose along with 2 vintages. Enjoy a lunch consisting of starters (such as bruschetta, cheese platter, meat platter), salads, 2 warm main dishes, and fruit accompanied by the wines surrounded by vineyards. Drive back to Yerevan and overnight stay.

Day 3: Etchmiadzin, Aragatsotn Wine Route
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Echmiadzin City (Vagharshapat). Echmiadzin is considered to be the spiritual center of all Armenians! Here we'll visit the Holy Echmiadzin – the world’s first Christian Cathedral built in 301-304. Aragatsotn Province. The wine produced in Aragatsotn is mainly from the vineyards located to the south of the Aragats and Arteni mountains. Next we will visit the “Armenia Wine” factory. After an introduction to Armenian wine, we'll visit inside the factory-brandy production units, ageing cellars, souvenir shop and end with a tasting of 4 premium wines;  a sparkling wine, a white, a red, and a vintage. Stop by the Wine History Museum located in Armenia Wine to learn about the millennia-old history of winemaking. Lunch takes place at the local restaurant where you can enjoy a 3-course meal with special dishes inspired by wine and grapes prepared by the chef.
Finally we will visit Van Ardi Winery – a family run boutique winery located in the ancient winemaking region of Aragatsotn, nestled between the mountains Ararat, Aragats, and Ara, for a tasting of 3 more wines. Return to Yerevan. Dinner and overnight stay.