Yerevan to host Wine Days on May 11-12

As part of the efforts to develop inbound tourism in Armenia, Yerevan will be hosting Wine Days next week, inviting guests from across the country and foreign states to taste the Armenian wine and gain a deeper insight into the history and traditions of national wine-making.

The two-day event, scheduled for May 11-12, has a serious potential to become traditional, says Mekhak Apresyan, a deputy head of the State Tourism Committee (adjunct body of the Ministry of Ecomimc Development and Investments).  

At a news conference on Saturday, he called for an active engagement especially by the private sector, considering the event a good opportunity to raise also awareness of the Armenian cuisine and traditions.

“That’s really an important event as it gives us real chances to introduce our national cuisine and traditions - both internally and to the outside world,” he noted.

Agreeing with the official, Gevorg Orbelyan, Head of the Yerevan Municipality’s Tourism Division, said he expects the Wine Days to be remarkable especially this year as the capital is celebrating its 2,800th anniversary.

“The municipality, which prioritizes tourism development in our country, is trying, through collaborative efforts, to boost, and increase the popularity of national values. We focus especially on the development of wine and beer tourism in Armenia given that those traditions date back to the Urartian era,” he noted.

Mary Badalyan, a co-founder of the company Eventtoura, said they have revised several organizational aspects to offer attendees special coupon-books.

“That coupon-book will allow a visitor to not only get familiarized with the assortment offered but also have it close at hand, thus contributing to the brand's higher recognition,” he said, adding that the event will feature 25 wine-makers.

Nune Manukyan, the director of Areni Festival foundation, highlighted especially the government agencies’ support.

“The event is this year dedicated to Yerevan, a city with a 2,800-year wine culture and lifestyle. It is aimed at developing, and increasing the popularity of, the Armenian wine and ancient wine-making traditions. Our surprise flash-mobs and entertaining events will make the day special for many Armenian citizens and foreign guests. Drinking wine should become a lifestyle rather than a habit. So we, as consumers, are required to develop that culture,” he added.