Momik Wine Cube: an immersive Armenian experience with fine wine

The family-owned Momik Wines (or Momik Wine Cube) nestled beneath the mountains in the Areni village of the picturesque Vayots Dzor region in Armenia, which is known for its centuries-long winemaking traditions.

Momik Wine Cube is an innovative wine tourism business model in Armenia: it is an authentic tasting facility in the heart of a vineyard based on the “farm-to-bottle” concept. It offers an immersive and authentic Armenian wine experience with fine wine, locally sourced food, khachkar (cross-stone) as well as making master classes.

The vineyard called Momik Wines has been with Nver Ghazaryan’s family for more than 40 years. It specializes in growing the endemic Areni grapes that the region is known for which, in turn, produces some exceptionally high-quality Armenian wine.

The name of the “Momik Wines” originated from the famous Armenian architect and sculptor, Momik, who constructed the magnificent Noravank Monastery in the 14th-century: the Wine Cube is located near this cultural monument. “Momik” wines are served personally by the owners combined with local food and accompanied by masterclasses in stone-carving held by Nver’s wife Narine. The grapes are grown by the farmer – owner of “Momik” Nver Mnatsakanyan – while the wine production is outsourced to a professional winemaking company.

Thanks to the efforts of GIZ and all partners in the framework of a large cooperation project – One Armenia NGO, vinification service provider WineWorks, tour operators and other international donors, they went from selling grapes to having their own brand, Momik Wines and a tasting room. Of course, the company planned to expand its vineyard long before this project, but it was the support of GIZ and partners’ support that made it possible for us to achieve the goal we had been working towards for years. Moreover, they have managed to improve the quality of their homemade wine so that they can be bottled and sold in wine stores.