This small village in Armenia's wine region has the world's oldest winery, dating back 6,100 years. Ancient caves and traditional wineries dot the surrounding limestone cliffs.
Explore vineyards in Areni, a village in Armenia's Vayots Dzor Province where wine has been made for 6,000 years. The Arpa River flows through dry hillsides dotted with 13th-century cliffside churches, and a nearby cave holds the world's oldest leather shoe. Taste wine from local Areni grapes, walk through the Noravank monastery complex, and step inside a 6,100-year-old winery where ancient people crushed grapes with their feet. In October, the air smells of ripe fruit as villagers celebrate their annual wine festival. This area connects Armenia's past and present through its churches, archaeological sites, and family-run wineries surrounded by red-rock valleys.
Wine Tradition and Current Practices
Areni grows, ferments, and bottles its signature red wine using grapes cultivated here for generations. Two wineries in the village work with the Areni grape, which shares genetic roots with Pinot Noir but grows best in Armenia's high-elevation sunlight and volcanic soil. These grapes develop deeper colors and fruitier flavors at heights reaching 5,000 feet above sea level. You can try the wine alongside dishes like grilled lamb skewers, flatbread topped with mushrooms, or grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs. Plan your trip for the first week of October to see grape-stomping in clay pots, sample small-production wines, and watch artisans demonstrate how their ancestors made wine without modern tools.
Noravank Monastery: Architecture Set in Cliffs
Six kilometers from Areni, the Noravank monastery appears to grow from the red limestone cliffs surrounding it. The 13th-century Astvatsatsin Church here has two levels connected by outdoor steps carved directly into the building's facade. Look for stone carvings of saints and geometric shapes around the entrance, created by medieval sculptor Momik. Inside the smaller Surp Karapet Church, cross-stones chiseled with detailed patterns line the walls. Pilgrims still light candles here during religious festivals, filling the space with the scent of beeswax.
Astvatsatsin Church and Nearby Medieval Sites
The 14th-century Astvatsatsin Church in Areni village sits on a flat area above the Arpa River. Four stone columns hold up its dome, and faint paintings of biblical scenes remain on the interior walls. Walk five minutes northeast to see broken stone arches from a 13th-century bridge that once connected trade routes across the river. Behind the church, low walls mark where Prince Tarsaitch Orbelian's palace stood before earthquakes destroyed it. These sites highlight how Areni served as a hub for both religious leaders and regional rulers during the Middle Ages.
Areni-1 Cave: Ancient Winemaking Evidence
Archaeologists working in Areni-1 Cave found clay jars, a grape press, and 6,100-year-old grape seeds that prove wine production here dates to the Copper Age. The same dig revealed a leather shoe preserved in sheep dung, a burial site lined with dried grass, and tools showing trade with distant communities. Guides explain how the cave's dry interior protected these artifacts and why researchers think rituals took place alongside winemaking. Tours last 45 minutes and require bending through low passages to see excavation areas up close.
Trails and Scenic Routes
Dry hills around Areni provide clear views of the Arpa River's winding path through the valley. Hike 90 minutes uphill to Hrashkaberd fortress for perspectives over vineyards and jagged rock formations. Shorter walks along the river lead to caves where shepherds take shelter and seasonal springs create small waterfalls. Between March and April, almond trees near the village burst with pink and white flowers. For longer adventures, hire a guide to visit the Gnishik Protected Landscape, home to wild goats that climb near-vertical cliffs.
Planning Your Visit
Areni sits two hours south of Yerevan via the main highway. Shared minibuses leave Yerevan's Kilikia Bus Station for Yeghegnadzor, where you can take a taxi for the final 20 kilometers. Bring shoes with thick soles for walking over rocky paths at Noravank and the cave. Local wineries like Getap welcome visitors for tastings, and some still age wine in traditional clay jars buried underground. You can enter most churches and ruins without paying fees, but budget $10–$20 for guided tours. Stay in village guesthouses or book rooms at the Tufenkian Avan Villa near Noravank for mountain views.
