Across Armenia's Ararat and Armavir provinces, vineyards in the Ararat Valley usually lie at 850 to 1,000 metres. It is a dry continental place where irrigation keeps vines growing, and strong sunshine in the warm season helps grapes accumulate sugar. The wines tend toward greater ripeness and potential alcohol.
Indigenous Armenian and international varieties both grow here, so the grape name often tells you more about a bottle than the regional name alone. Karmrahyut, Garan Dmak, Mskhali and Kakhet are principal varieties. Rkatsiteli, Chilar, Haghtanak, Kangun and Voskehat are also grown. Voskehat returned to prominence during Armenia's early-2010s wine revival after decades of neglect.
Wine has long had a place in the valley. Armavir, Artashat and Vagharshapat were classical-period centres whose agricultural territories counted viticulture and winemaking among their major branches of farming. A large processing enterprise opened in 1968, collecting 500 to 600 tons of grapes at first, then 1,000 tons in 1970 and 3,000 tons by 1985.
Inside the region
1 named area
Each guide keeps its place within Ararat Valley clear, with a direct route back to the map.
Producer profiles
Producer profiles
Open the full directory when you want every producer currently placed in Ararat Valley.
- Voskeni WinesFamily estate in Sardarapat making Armenian Areni and Voskehat from volcanic Ararat Valley and high-elevation Vayots Dzor vineyards.