Ararat Valley
History
Due east of Armenia's capital city of Yerevan is Ararat Valley. It is no wonder that the city's influence mixes with the area's agricultural industry. Already, Ararat is one of the leading provinces for wine production in terms of export and cultivation. Legend tells of Gregory the Illuminator imprisoned in the monastery Khor Virap where he survived for 14 years off bread and wine before becoming the king's religious mentor. Mount Ararat (which is no longer in Armenia but is how the province got its name) is where Noah famously landed his ark, and his story tells of vineyards at the base of the mountain where he rejoiced with wine. Presently, Ararat is home to distributors such as the Avshar Wine Factory and Vedi Alco Winery, both of the leading producers of alcoholic drinks in Armenia. In addition, Cascara Gourmet is here, whose mission is to bring global awareness to new Armenian wines paired with gourmet food. The view of Mt. Ararat from any of the many rows of their vineyards perfectly symbolizes the region's wine industry, where stunning views meet delicious produce.
Geography
Almost 30 percent of the region is flat, while the rest is mountainous. The 30 percent plains contribute to 15 percent of Armenia's total annual agricultural production. Vines grow at elevations ranging from 2,788 feet (850 m) to 3,280 (1000 m). Seventy-five percent of the region's total area is arable land, yet only a 17percent has been plowed, indicating the potential for the wine industry here. A drive on the M-2 Motorway from Yerevan to Southern Armenia by way of the valley will show visitors the multitudes of vineyards on both sides of the roads. The region's irrigation infrastructure uses canals that run from the local rivers, while 90 percent of the farmlands are irrigated. The soil used for vineyards is composed of rock, sand, and clay, with red and black tuff, pumice, and basalt acting as nutrients for the plants.
A vineyard in the Ararat Province of Armenia sits below a hill and its medieval chapel | Zenith Studio / Tigran Hayrapetyan. Reprinted with permission from the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia.
Throughout the average year, Ararat Valley receives the most sun of any of the wine regions in Armenia. This high concentration of sunlight leaves the berries with a high sugar concentration. However, the summers are hot and clear, and the winters get cold and cloudy. The region remains dry year-round, so it's necessary to irrigate most of the farms in the area.
Grape Varieties: Karmrahyut, Kangun, Voskehat, Garan Dmak, Mskhali
Producers: Tushpa, Cascara
Similar Stories
-
21 April, 2022Karas winemaker Gabriel Rogel is a cleanly dressed, passionate figure. There’s an unmistakable sincerity to his impeccably measured words. Rogel, a native of Mendoza, Argentina, traveled nearly 8,700 miles to settle in Yerevan. -
21 April, 2022Armenia’s vinicultural renaissance of the early 2010s has pushed the Voskehat grape center stage again after decades of neglect. -
21 April, 2022Canadian-Armenian wine lover Kevork Kataroyan gave up his 25 years in banking and finance to devote his time and energy to promoting Armenian wines.