Armenian Brandy and Wine | The Armenia Guide

Armenia has been producing wine for longer than almost any nation on earth. The Areni-1 cave in Vayots Dzor, excavated from 2007 onwards, yielded winemaking equipment dated to approximately 4100 BC — the oldest confirmed winery ever found. Brandy came later, but the distilleries Armenia built in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries became famous beyond the country’s borders: Winston Churchill drank Ararat brandy, and the story (possibly apocryphal) of Stalin proposing it to him at Yalta has become inseparable from the bottle’s identity.

Today both industries are worth taking seriously. Yerevan’s Ararat distillery offers excellent tours; the Vayots Dzor wine corridor is a full day’s drive from the capital with multiple winery stops; and the bottles available in supermarkets and specialist shops represent extraordinary value compared to equivalents from France or Georgia.

Armenian Brandy: The Ararat Story

History

The Yerevan Brandy Company was founded in 1887. The distillery on the banks of the Hrazdan River in Yerevan became the production site for what would eventually be called Ararat brandy — a name taken from the mountain that dominates the city’s skyline (and that technically lies in Turkey, a geographical irony Armenians are entirely aware of).

The Soviet period brought nationalisation and scale. Ararat brandy was produced in large quantities for the Soviet elite and for export, particularly to France, where it competed with cognac. After independence, the distillery passed through several ownership phases before becoming part of the Pernod Ricard portfolio in 1999, which it remains under as of 2026.

The Ararat Range

Ararat brandy is aged in Limousin oak barrels, following cognac-style production rules. The range is structured by age statement:

Label	Age	Notes	Approximate Price (Yerevan shops)
Ararat 3 Star	3 years minimum	Light, accessible, mixing grade	AMD 6,000–8,000 (USD 15–20)
Ararat 5 Star (Akhtamar)	5 years minimum	Smooth, vanilla and dried fruit	AMD 10,000–14,000 (USD 25–36)
Ararat 10 (Ani)	10 years minimum	Richer, dried apricot, oak	AMD 22,000–28,000 (USD 56–72)
Ararat 20 (Nairi)	20 years minimum	Complex, long finish, limited stock	AMD 70,000–90,000 (USD 180–230)
Ararat Dvin	Blended, premium blend	Historically Churchill’s favourite	AMD 40,000–55,000 (USD 100–140)

Prices are approximate retail as of 2026 and vary between shops. The Ararat Museum Shop at the distillery itself often carries a wider selection and occasional tasting sets.

Ararat Distillery Tours

The Yerevan Brandy Company operates a visitor centre and guided tours at the distillery on Admiral Isakov Avenue, on the western bank of the Hrazdan River Gorge.

Tour options (as of 2026):

Classic Tour: Includes barrel hall, ageing cellars, and tasting of 2–3 expressions. Duration approximately 60 minutes. Price: approximately AMD 7,000–9,000 per person (USD 18–23) as of 2026
Premium Tour: Adds vertical tasting of older expressions including Dvin and Nairi. Duration approximately 90 minutes. Price: approximately AMD 18,000–22,000 per person (USD 46–56) as of 2026

Booking: Tours run throughout the day on weekdays and Saturdays; Sunday hours are reduced. Advance booking is recommended for the premium tour and for groups. Book through the official Ararat Brandy House website or via the distillery directly. The visitor experience is professional and English-language guides are available.

Getting there: The distillery is a 20-minute walk from Republic Square or a short taxi ride (AMD 700–1,000 via Yandex). Look for the entrance on Admiral Isakov Avenue — the old industrial complex is hard to miss.

Other Armenian Brandies

Ararat is the dominant brand but not the only option:

Proshyan Brandy Factory produces lower-priced brandies sold under the Proshyan and Kanayan labels. Available in most supermarkets, the 5-year expression sells for approximately AMD 7,000–9,000 (USD 18–23) and is the everyday choice for many local households.

Noy Brandy is another Armenian producer with a longer range, including expressions aged 10 and 20 years. The Noy 10 (approximately AMD 20,000–25,000 / USD 51–64 as of 2026) is a solid alternative to Ararat Ani at a comparable price.

Armenian Wine: Regions and Producers

Vayots Dzor — The Areni Heartland

Vayots Dzor province in southern Armenia is the centre of the country’s modern wine industry. The town of Areni sits at the confluence of the Arpa and Gnishik rivers at approximately 1,000 m elevation. The high altitude and semi-arid climate — hot summers, cold winters, long dry growing season — suit grape cultivation well.

The dominant variety is Areni Noir (also written Areni or Areni Black), a red grape indigenous to this region. At its best it produces wines with vivid acidity, dark fruit, earthy notes, and good ageing potential. It is rarely planted outside Armenia, which makes it genuinely interesting for wine-curious visitors.

White wines in the region use Voskehat and Kangun grapes. Rkatsiteli (a Georgian variety) also appears in Armenian white blends from producers in the north.

Areni Wine Factory

The Areni Wine Factory is a small producer based in the village of Areni, approximately 2 km from the cave where the 6,000-year-old winery was found. It is the most approachable entry point for wine tourism in the region.

Winery visits: Informal; the production space and cellar are viewable with advance notice
Tasting room: Open seasonally (April–October most reliably); tastings of 3–5 wines approximately AMD 3,000–5,000 per person (USD 8–13) as of 2026
Wines to try: Areni Noir single varietal, rosé from Areni, and their sparkling Areni
Retail prices (at winery): Approximately AMD 4,500–7,000 per bottle (USD 11–18) as of 2026

The factory also produces chacha (grape marc spirit) and fruit wines — the pomegranate wine is a popular purchase for visitors.

Zorah Wines

Zorah is the most internationally recognised Armenian winery. Founded by Italian entrepreneur Zorik Gharibian in 2010, it is located in the village of Rind in Vayots Dzor. Zorah focuses entirely on Areni Noir, farming organically on ancient hillside terraces at 1,500–1,700 m.

The flagship wine, Karasi (named after the clay amphora, or karasi, used in traditional Armenian winemaking), has received significant international press coverage and is exported to the USA, EU, and Japan.

Karasi Areni Noir: approximately AMD 25,000–35,000 per bottle in Yerevan wine shops (USD 64–90) as of 2026
Voskevaz Zorah (second label): more accessible in price, approximately AMD 12,000–16,000 (USD 31–41) as of 2026
Winery visits: By appointment only; email or contact through the winery website. The terraced vineyard and cellar visit is exceptional if you are serious about wine

Karas Wines (Tierras de Armenia)

Karas is one of Armenia’s largest quality wine estates, located in Aragatsotn province near the town of Talin, northwest of Yerevan. The project was started with significant Spanish winemaking involvement (hence the Spanish name “Tierras de Armenia”), and the estate produces both red and white wines from a blend of international and Armenian varieties.

Karas Classic Red: Primarily Syrah and Merlot, approximately AMD 6,000–8,000 per bottle (USD 15–20) as of 2026 — widely available in Yerevan supermarkets
Karas Elegance (single vineyard): AMD 12,000–16,000 (USD 31–41) as of 2026
Winery visits: The estate is approximately 80 km from Yerevan. Tours available on request through the winery or via Yerevan wine tour operators; typically AMD 15,000–20,000 per person (USD 38–51) including transport from Yerevan

Hin Areni Wines

Hin Areni (“Old Areni”) is a producer in Vayots Dzor focused on traditional winemaking using Areni Noir. Smaller production runs mean availability is less consistent in shops, but the winery is approachable for visits.

Areni Noir vintage: approximately AMD 8,000–12,000 per bottle (USD 20–31) as of 2026
Sold at the winery, at Areni village shops, and at selected Yerevan wine retailers
The estate is close to Noravank Monastery — easily combined into a single day trip from Yerevan

Van Ardi Winery

Van Ardi is a family-run producer in Vayots Dzor making Areni Noir and Voskehat whites. It is less well-known internationally than Zorah or Karas but earns consistently strong reviews from local wine writers. Their semi-sweet Voskehat is a distinctive Armenian white worth trying.

Van Ardi Areni Noir: approximately AMD 7,000–9,000 (USD 18–23) as of 2026
Van Ardi Voskehat: approximately AMD 6,500–8,500 (USD 16–22) as of 2026

Where to Buy Armenian Wine and Brandy in Yerevan

SAS Supermarket (multiple Yerevan locations, including Republic Square area) stocks the widest supermarket selection: full Ararat range, Karas, Proshyan, and several Areni producers.

Wine Republic (Saryan Street, near the wine street restaurant strip) specialises in Armenian and Georgian wines. The staff are knowledgeable and the selection includes harder-to-find producers including Zorah, Van Ardi, and small-production naturals. Expect retail prices of AMD 5,000–35,000 per bottle depending on producer and vintage.

GUM Market (Mashtots Avenue) has a food hall where local producers sell direct. Areni producers often have a stall; prices are lower than in wine shops.

The Ararat Brandy House shop (at the distillery visitor centre) has the most complete Ararat range including gift sets not available in supermarkets.

Wine Tourism: Day Trip from Yerevan to Areni

The Areni wine village is 122 km from Yerevan, approximately 2 hours by car via the Arpa Gorge road. A manageable day trip takes in:

Noravank Monastery — 9 km from Areni, 13th-century monastery in a red canyon; no entry fee, opens from approximately 8am
Areni-1 Cave — the prehistoric winery site, approximately 2 km from the village; entry approximately AMD 1,500 (USD 4) per person as of 2026; guide recommended for context
Areni Wine Factory tasting room
Hin Areni or Van Ardi for a second producer visit if time allows

This circuit covers the highlights of southern Armenian wine country in a single day if you leave Yerevan by 8am. A dedicated wine tour with a driver guide is available through most Yerevan tour operators for approximately AMD 25,000–35,000 per person (USD 64–90) including transport and visits. Guided Areni wine tours from Yerevan can also be booked online in advance.

The annual Areni Wine Festival takes place in the first weekend of October. The village fills with producers from across Armenia offering tastings, food, and folk performances. Entry is free or minimal charge; it is one of the best events in the Armenian calendar.

Armenian Brandy and Wine: A Complete Guide