Forget France: Armenia is the hub of winemaking history

Aside from the legends, it is scientifically proven that the ancient Armenian wine-making has a history of over 6,000 years. 
Picture: Armenian Delegation baring gift of wine to Darius the Great at Persepolis

ancient Armenian winemaking has a history of 6,000 years.

THE WORLD’S FIRST WINERY

Bird’s Cave Armenia

The studies of grape seeds found during archaeological excavations have proved that during the 6-5th millennium BC, Armenians have adapted wild grapes and have also conducted selective breedings.

Some ethnographers and archeologists, exploring wine-cultural biography discovered near the village of Areni in Vayots Dzor, close to the bridge leading to the Noravank complex, in the “Bird’s Cave”, various monuments dating from the Old Stone to the late medieval periods.

This proves that people have lived there and have also engaged in grape cultivation. Even beyond the Noravank canyon, there are traces of medieval vineyards.

In 2011, the world’s oldest winery was discovered during the excavations in the Areni Complex in Armenia. The winery is 6200 years old.

In 2007-2008, due to the excavations, it became possible to discover the remains of material culture belonging to the period of copper and stone age. Among them, inside the cave’s first hall, they found a complex consisting of clay structures.

The natives of the Armenian Highland have used and preserved winemaking traditions. This indicates that ethnic Armenians are the economic and cultural heirs of the residents of Van Kingdom.

About the vineyards of Van, the King of Assyria, Sargon the Second says: “The grapes were falling down like rain, and the wine was flowing like the water of a river.” In the oldest historical information which reached to us, mentions of various manufacturing techniques of wine and beer. Xenophon, in particular, mentions that the Armenian wines were of high quality, old and of a great variety. The methods and technologies of viticulture and winemaking have spread from Armenia to neighboring countries thousands of years ago. During the raids and control of Arabs, Turks, and also Seljuks, many grape gardens have been destroyed.

Picture: This complex includes various types of storage facilities. The winery found   there caused great interest. Near the winery, there were also the remains of   grape seeds. During the excavations, they also found grape-crushing tools,   clay pot surrounded by grape clusters and dried vines, and even wine-drinking   cup. Studies have revealed that besides Areni, there are no more places in the   world where such a complex of wine exists.  

About the vineyards of Van, the King of Assyria

Home to some of the most ancient relics related to wine-making, a new museum is showing a history of wine that's separate from it's traditionally thought origins.

A new museum 'Wine History Museum of Armenia' is delving into the history books of Armenia’s rich wine culture.

 

Origin and development of viticulture and winemaking

One of the leading centers of viticulture and winemaking is the Near East, where the Armenian Highland is part of the Asian border. In that location, around 8000 years ago human beings domesticated wild grapes by means of natural selection. Number of scientific discoveries in the fields of origin and development of viticulture and winemaking were made here, they have worldwide significance.

Origin and development of viticulture and winemaking
Origin and development of viticulture and winemaking
Origin and development of viticulture and winemaking

Discover Armenian wine history

The idea to ​​present the Armenian wine history, rich in centuries-old-tradition of growing grapes and making wine in a comprehensive study, has matured over the years. Various materials discovered in archeological sites, bibliographic data, and findings of ethnographic studies became the basis for creating the Museum of the history of winemaking in Armenia.

Connect through the exhibitions

The development of viticulture and winemaking in the Armenian Highlands is presented in the museum not only by interpreting facts, but also by interactive and innovative solutions. The exhibits related to viticulture and winemaking give the visitor an opportunity to get a certain idea of ​​the centuries-old Armenian culture in general.

The main exhibition hall of the museum is located at the level of 8 meters deep underground basalt rocks, where the chronological stages of wine development in the Armenian Nature, as well as the connection of wine with different spheres of Armenian history and culture are presented in detail.

When you think of wine, there are always a few classic nations that spring to mind. Maybe it’s the lush valleys of France, the sumptuous vineyards of Italy, or a newer location like California or New Zealand.

But you’d be missing out on one of the oldest wine-making regions of the lot. With a history stretching back over 8,000 years, Armenia has wine-cred by the bottle-load.