Ijevan Wine Factory

The Ijevan Wine Factory produces an extensive range of wines, brandies, vodkas, and even canned goods and dried fruits. A showroom within the facility displays the entire product line, inviting visitors to explore its considerable variety.

Guided tours are conducted throughout the factory grounds, where guests learn about its history and production methods, and see the machinery in operation. Note that active production can only be observed during the grape harvest season and shortly thereafter, typically in autumn. Even if you visit at another time of year, the tour remains engaging: you will be shown the storage rooms where barrels of brandy and wine are kept, along with workshops where grape must is pressed and processed.

The factory, established in 1951, stands among the oldest in Armenia. Until 2005, it operated as a branch of the renowned Armenian brandy producer “Ararat.” Later, it was acquired by a local entrepreneur who launched products under his own brand—a tradition that now spans 70 years. Modern equipment enables the factory to export its products to dozens of countries, and its reputation rests on the high quality and wide assortment of its offerings.

For producing brandy, Ijevan utilizes raw materials from the company’s own vineyards, which span 300 hectares of the fertile Ararat Valley. The facility uses not only native grape varieties such as Banants, Lalar, and Garandmak, but also European varieties like Pinot Blanc.

You certainly will not leave empty-handed. While Armenia is traditionally associated with brandy and Georgia with wine, the range of wines here may intrigue even the most discerning connoisseur. In Georgia the dominant grape is Saperavi, with wine flavor determined solely by the local terroir; in Armenia, about 120 grape varieties suitable for winemaking are grown, resulting in a diverse assortment to suit nearly every taste. In addition to grape wines, the factory produces specialty varieties made from pomegranate, blackberry, and even rose petals. These wines, of course, appeal to a specific taste. It is important to note, however, that these specialty wines are primarily grape-based—with only about 20% pomegranate juice—and their flavor might seem as if made entirely from pomegranate.

For those less inclined toward alcoholic beverages, the factory also offers shelves filled with pickles, jams, and dried fruits. Armenians have long mastered the art of preserving fruits and vegetables, whether it is walnut jam, apricot desserts, or both hot and sweet preserved peppers—all complemented by an excellent selection of dried fruits.