Ararat Valley

Ararat Valley's vineyards usually lie at 850 to 1,000 metres. The climate is dry and continental, with strong summer sunshine and vines dependent on irrigation. Both Armenian and international grape varieties are grown here. Principal grapes include Karmrahyut, Garan Dmak, Mskhali and Kakhet. Other plantings include Rkatsiteli, Chilar, Haghtanak, Kangun and Voskehat. The white grape Voskehat returned to prominence during Armenia's wine revival in the early 2010s after decades of neglect. Viticulture and winemaking were important agricultural activities around the classical-period centres of Armavir, Artashat and Vagharshapat. More recently, a large processing enterprise opened in 1968. It initially collected 500 to 600 tons of grapes, increasing to 1,000 tons in 1970 and 3,000 tons by 1985.