AVC Multimedia e-Book Series eBook#4: Vayots Dzor | Page 47

Young girls stomping grapes in Rind (Photo by Stephanie Moore, My Armenia Program, Smithsonian Institution and USAID)

Professional winemakers also have booths at the Areni Wine Festival (Photo by Stephanie Moore, My Armenia Program, Smithsonian Institution and USAID)

Wine Festival

The villages of Rind and Areni usually host this festival in the last weekend of September. On the first day of festivities, Rind, a small village very close to Areni, holds a competition where local neighborhoods display their best-prepared food and drinks. Visit their booths to grab a taste of Rind’s best eats. During the competition, local school children perform traditional Armenian dances and songs.

The following day, festivities continue in the village of Areni. This day attracts thousands of people from around Armenia and the world. The main street of Areni is lined with local wine vendors selling homemade wines. In a designated area, Armenia’s most famous winemakers offer tastings of their products. The village center hosts continual Armenian dancing and music, where you are encouraged to join the groups of tourists and professionals dancing!

Cultural Attractions