Areni Wine Factory: A Taste of Armenian Winemaking Heritage
Discover Armenia's winemaking heritage at Areni Wine Factory, producing exceptional wines in the historic village of Areni.
Nestled in the Vayots Dzor region, the Areni Wine Factory offers an immersive experience into Armenia's rich winemaking history. Established in 1994 by the Simonyan family, the winery aims to both continue and enrich local traditions. The factory produces over 250,000 bottles each year and welcomes around 30,000 visitors. A visit includes a tour of the production plant, where you can observe the winemaking process. You'll also learn about the history of winemaking in Areni, a region known for the discovery of the world's oldest winery in the nearby Areni-1 cave. The highlight for many is the wine tasting, featuring traditional grape wines and unique fruit wines like pomegranate and apricot. The winery itself features a two-story stone building with a cellar, production facility, tasting room, café, and souvenir shop. The tasting room offers a variety of red and white wines, as well as fruit wines made from local produce. You can also sample local cheeses and snacks to complement the wine. The factory is open Monday to Saturday, and the staff speaks Armenian, Russian, and English.
Local tips
- Visit during the week to avoid crowds and enjoy a more personalized wine tasting experience.
- Pair your wine tasting with local Armenian dishes available at their tasting room for a complete culinary experience.
- Check the winery's schedule for special events or festivals that showcase seasonal wines.
- Explore the nearby Areni-1 cave, the site of the world's oldest known winery, to delve deeper into the region's winemaking history.
A brief summary to Areni Wine Factory
- areniwines@gmail.com, Areni, 3604, AM
- +37494424427
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-9 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-9 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-9 pm
- Thursday 9 am-9 pm
- Friday 9 am-9 pm
- Saturday 9 am-9 pm
- Sunday 9 am-9 pm
Getting There
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Car
If you're traveling by car, head to Areni village. From Yerevan, take the M2 highway towards the Vayots Dzor Region. After approximately 2 hours, exit at the Areni sign. Follow the road towards Areni village for about 10 minutes. The Areni Wine Factory is located right in the village and there is ample parking available.
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Public Transport
For those using public transport, take a bus or minibus (marshrutka) from Yerevan's Central Bus Station (Kilikia) to Yeghegnadzor. The journey takes around 3 hours. From Yeghegnadzor, take another minibus to Areni. Once you arrive in Areni, the winery is a short walk from the village center. Bus fare from Yerevan to Yeghegnadzor is approximately $10 - $15.
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Taxi
If you prefer a direct approach, consider taking a taxi from Yerevan to Areni Wine Factory. The ride takes about 1.5 hours. You can negotiate a fare with a local taxi driver, which should cost approximately $30-40 for a one-way trip.
