Karas Wines / Tierras de Armenia

Karas Wines sits within the Armavir Province of Armenia, the country's largest vine-growing region. The estate's 400 hectares occupy the Arevadasht community at elevations between 900 and 1,100 meters. Mount Ararat's volcanic legacy defines the soils: basalt, limestone, volcanic tuff, and alluvial stones form a stony, rocky profile that is naturally low in organic matter. This lean substrate, combined with the influence of black volcanic soils, gives the wines a distinct mineral character. Rainfall is scarce at 250 to 500mm annually, making computer-controlled drip irrigation from the Akhurian Reservoir essential to viticulture here.

• Armavir Province holds approximately 6,792 to 7,100 hectares of vineyards, the most of any Armenian region
• Soils combine volcanic tuff, basalt, limestone, and alluvial stones with medium to heavy clay
• Elevation of 900 to 1,100 meters moderates the extreme continental heat
• Mount Ararat's volcanic terroir is a defining influence on regional wine identity

Armavir's winemaking history stretches back to the Bronze Age. Karases, the traditional Armenian clay wine vessels, dating 6,000 years have been discovered at the Areni-1 cave, and an ancient wine press from the 3rd to 1st century BCE was unearthed in the region. In the Soviet era, Armavir became a brandy powerhouse, supplying a quarter of all brandy consumed in the Soviet Union. The modern chapter opened in 2003 when Karas Wines was established as Tierras de Armenia CJSC by Argentine-Armenian businessmen Eduardo Eurnekian and Juliana Del Aguila Eurnekian. The first commercial vintage was released in 2010, and the estate quickly positioned itself as a flagship for quality Armenian wine.

• Areni-1 cave yielded karases (clay wine vessels) dating back 6,000 years
• An ancient wine press from the 3rd to 1st century BCE was discovered in the Armavir region
• Karas Wines was founded in 2003 with its first vintage in 2010
• Armavir historically focused on brandy; quality wine production is a more recent priority

Karas Wines cultivates an exceptionally broad range of varieties, combining indigenous Armenian grapes with international cultivars. Indigenous varieties include Areni, Voskehat, Kangun, and Rkatsiteli. International red varieties span Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Montepulciano, Ancellotta, and Petit Verdot. White international varieties include Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, and Colombard. The estate produces red, white, rosé, sparkling, and orange wines, often in blends that combine indigenous and international grapes. Chief winemaker Gabriel Rogel leads production, with Michel Rolland serving as consulting winemaker.

• Indigenous varieties Areni, Voskehat, Kangun, and Rkatsiteli anchor the Armenian character of the range
• International reds include Syrah, Malbec, Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Montepulciano, Ancellotta, and Petit Verdot
• White international varieties include Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, and Colombard
• Blends of indigenous and international varieties are a signature house style

Karas Wines practices organic and sustainable viticulture under Bioma principles, an approach that reflects the estate's philosophy of working with the land's natural volcanic character. The extreme climate, with summer temperatures climbing to 48°C and cold winters, demands careful management. Computer-controlled drip irrigation draws water from the Akhurian Reservoir, ensuring precision water delivery across the 400 hectares. Other notable producers operating in the Armavir region include Alluria Wines, Voskeni Wines, and Jraghatspanyan Winery, though Karas remains the region's dominant estate by size.

• Bioma-certified organic and sustainable viticulture principles guide estate management
• Drip irrigation is computer-controlled using water sourced from the Akhurian Reservoir
• Summer temperatures can reach 48°C, requiring careful canopy and water management
• Alluria Wines, Voskeni Wines, and Jraghatspanyan Winery are other notable Armavir producers