Areni-1 winery

Areni-1 is a wine production site within a cave complex in southeastern Vayots Dzor Province, consisting of several interconnected chambers. The facility includes a shallow pressing basin, fermentation vats, and clay storage jars linked by a system of drainage channels.

Excavations in 2007 brought this installation to light, dating back more than 6,000 years and recognized as the oldest known winery in the world. The finds date to around 4100 BC, when wine production began to develop in the southern Caucasus region.

The site takes its name from the nearby village of Areni, still known for winemaking today, creating a living connection to ancient production. Visitors can trace how grapes were pressed and fermented in vessels before the wine was stored or used in ceremonies within the adjoining chambers.

The installation lies within a natural cave that offers cool temperatures and protection from direct sunlight. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the ground may be uneven, and allow enough time to explore the different chambers.

Researchers also discovered a well-preserved leather shoe from the same period near the wine vessels, ranking among the oldest known shoes in the world. The clay containers also revealed traces of malvidin, a pigment found only in red wine.