Aragatsotn
History
Just a short drive from Armenia's capital of Yerevan is the Aragatsotn region. In Armenian, the region translates to "the foot of Aragats," so-named because the province is home to the sacred Mount Aragats, the highest summit in the country, peaking at 4,090 meters (13,400 feet). Although most tourists that visit the region are avid hikers, wine lovers may also find this region enticing. Most of the people living in the area are involved in agriculture in one way or another.
Winemaking traditions are historical in the Aragatsotn region due to the abundance of autochthonous grapes. Longstanding evidence suggests the area was once a substantial winemaking region. Today, there are restaurants located in old wine cellars serving many local dishes that pair well with established Armenian wines and homemade ones. The area is currently home to a few large family wineries that mix modern and historical methods.
Geography
The area is primarily mountainous with volcanic and eroded terrain. The land changes drastically from its lowest point at 3,116 feet (950 m) to 13,400 feet (4,090 m) at Mt. Aragats's peak. This region is also vastly geographically diverse, allowing different grape varieties to flourish throughout the province. With lots of rivers and lakes, the soil benefits from natural irrigation. Nearly 80 percent of the total area is arable land, but only a quarter of that has been in use. The region consists of both volcanic and carbonic soils. Interspersed are rich deposits of tuff, andesite, basalt, perlite, slag, limestone, and pumice.
ArmAs vineyards in the village of Nor Yedesia | Photo Credit: Zenith Studio/Tigran Hayrapetyan. Reprinted with permission from the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia.
Due to the drastic changes in altitude in the region, the weather can similarly change. In the summer, the temperature at higher altitudes remains relatively cool. In the valley, there are hot summers and cool winters. In some parts of the region, hailstorms are a constant concern. The precipitation level ranges between 400 mm in the lower altitude areas and 1000 mm in the mountains.
Grape Varieties: Voskehat, Kangun, Karmrahyut
Producers: Voskevaz, ArmAs, Armenia Wine, Van Ardi
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