History of the Legend

According to the Bible, Armenia is the cradle of viniculture and wine-making.

Archaeological excavations at the sites of the ancient settlements of Arin-Berd, Karmir-Blur, Teyshebani and Elar-Darani testify to the fact that the ancestors of modern Armenians possessed a highly-developed wine making culture. Greek historians of a later period, including Herodotus, Xenophon and Strabon, recorded that excellent wines were exported from Armenia to neighboring countries at least 2,500 years ago. Xenophon, in particular, emphasized that Armenian wines were of excellent quality, aged well and existed in great variety.

The production of Armenian brandy can be traced to 1887, when an upper guild merchant named Nerses Tairyants built the country’s first combined winery and distillery on the site of the former fortress of Yerevan. At a time when other distilleries were actually just cottage industries, Tairyants’ factory was equipped with two Charente type distillers, distilling spirits according to classical cognac technology. It also had special facilities for aging spirits.

Later, the factory was acquired by Shustov & Sons, the famous Russian distributors, and enjoyed the distinction of being named official purveyor to the Russian Court. At a host of international exhibitions, Armenian brandies received gold medals and “Grand Prix” awards.

When wineries and distilleries were nationalized in 1920, the Yerevan factory was given top priority by the state. In 1953, it was moved to an enormous new facility that was the pride of Armenia and renamed Yerevan Brandy Company. This impressive facility, outfitted with the latest and best of modern technology, continues to produce Armenia’s most famous brandies – ARARAT .