ArmInfo. The pilot project of Vahe Keushgeryan in cooperation with ONEArmenia's Wine Cubes, which is aimed at promoting small winemakers, will start this summer. director of Semina Consulting Vahe Keushgeryan told ArmInfo.
He explained that the project will be implemented in the communities, beginning with Vayots Dzor, and provides for the creation of small tasting houses in the vineyards, in which tourists will be able to taste wines made from grapes grown in local gardens. Within 2 years, the company will assist winemakers in production, in particular, in finalizing the final product, providing the necessary conditions for the comfort of tourists. When the annual sales volume is from 2 thousand bottles of wine, the winemaker will pay the invested funds within 18 months and further develop the project independently, thereby gradually buying out the tasting room. With the proceeds, Semina Consulting intends to expand the project in other areas of Armenia. Keushgrayan explained that between the company and farmers there will be appropriate agreements, within which the winemaker is committed to maintaining high product quality and service level.
"Our goal is very simple - we want to help small winemakers sell a quality product and earn on it. And, in the end, his work will not become part of one large factory, but will join one exclusive bottle with quality wine," he said.
In Vayotsor region, the company plans to build about 5-6 such tasting houses, the cost of each is about $ 10 thousand. According to him, the capacity of the hall will be up to 20 people. The program starts in the village of Areni, famous for its wine traditions, after which the project will be implemented in Yeghegnadzor, Rind, Khachik villages and others. Following the Vayotsdzor region, tasting rooms will appear in the Lori region.
The idea of the project, according to the winemaker, arose 2-3 years ago. To implement it, the company enlisted the support of partners, in particular, ONEArmenia's, which found donors for the project. He added that the company Wine Works will be engaged in the reception of grapes from farmers and the production of wine. GIZ will render assistance in the field of education. Architectural design will be undertaken by Armenia's Architectural Design Studio, Satrap Construction will undertake to build tasting houses, etc. "I hope our project will grow and we will be able to accelerate the development of tourism in Armenia through the promotion of winemaking," he concluded.
Semina Consulting company was founded by V. Keushgrayan in Armenia, and offers consulting services in the field of viticulture, as well as strategic support to winemakers. The company aims to develop a wine culture while modernizing the rapidly growing wine sector.