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Armenian wine: ancient and modern
«Vinnaya Karta» №4 (112) June-July 2010

An international archaeological expedition discovered a winery in Armenia built over 6,000 years ago.

This is the oldest winemaking operation known today. The site is situated near Areni, in the south-east of Armenia. Vessels, pots, grape seeds and vine shoots were found during excavation. The artefacts include more than 30 clay pots of various sizes, one of which with a diameter of 1,5 metres. Numerous winemaking tools suggest that the ancient vineyard was planted with domesticated grape varieties, and wine was produced in commercial volumes. The carbon analysis of a vine shoot and grape seeds done in the Oxford University dates the samples to the late 5th — early 4th millennium BC. Researchers are now waiting for the results of a chemical analysis to confirm that vessels contained wine.

Another unique discovery was made at this archaeological site. Researchers found remnants of the oldest human brain, estimated to be over 5,000 years old.

By coincidence, a new winemaking project aimed at producing fine Armenian wine was recently launched just 2 kilometres away from the archaeological site. The winery is founded by Milanese entrepreneur Zorik Gharibian. The vineyard with total 20 hectares is planted at 1,300 metres above the sea level. It is mostly a mix of unidentified autochthonous varieties. The cuttings came from old vines growing in the area. Twenty percent of the vineyard is planted with international grapes. Italian consultants, including well-known enologist Alberto Antonini, are involved in the project. Experimental wines have been already made, and 2011 vintage should become the first to be commercially released on the market.