Thursday
Hin Areni Factory
Vayots Dzor and Areni village in particular has been the cradle of Armenian wine-making for millennia. “Hin Areni” wine factory opens up the doors of this region to the world to showcase the historic and indigenous Armenian grape varietals. At the winery the historic traditions of wine-making are well combined with state-of-the-art modern equipment. “Hin Areni” wine factory has the capacity to process over 250 tonnes of grapes.
What initially started as a modest project in 2007 evolved into one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries in the realm of historic winemaking and the traditions of Neolithic civilizations. Nestled near the historic Areni village and the Arpa River, the Areni-1 Cave holds not only artifacts but also grape stems and seeds discovered at the base of amphorae, known as karas. These artifacts were carefully examined and the results unveiled a stunning revelation: the grape seeds date back an astonishing 6,200 years! This groundbreaking discovery confirms that the Areni-1 Cave is home to the earliest known winery in the world.
NOA’s vineyards
NOA was founded to blend Armenia’s ancient winemaking traditions with modern practices. In partnership with one of the oldest wine houses in Switzerland, NOA focuses on cultivating indigenous grape varieties in the Vayots Dzor region. Committed to organic farming, NOA produces wines that reflect the rich heritage and promising future of Armenian viticulture.
One of COAF’s flagship initiatives, the COAF SMART program, represents an innovative approach to community and individual growth, aimed at improving the quality of life in rural communities. As part of this program, COAF has established a SMART center in Debed village, located in the Lori region of Armenia, fostering educational advancements that benefit individuals, society, and the environment.
COAF’s dedication extends to the hospitality sector, with the establishment of Concept Hotel by COAF in Debed. This social enterprise serves as a self-sustaining hospitality training initiative, with all proceeds directed towards charitable contributions to support COAF’s initiatives and projects.