Maran Noravank Red Dry Wine 2022

Sev Areni or Areni Noire, is one of the most treasured indigenous Armenian grape varietals. Some of its grapevines that are as old as 120 years can still be found in Armenia. It is an indigenous Armenian varietal belonging to oriental eco-geographical group. Sev Areni can be found in almost all Armenian viticulture areas, but it is mainly spread in the western part of Vayots Dzor region, along the Arpa river bank. This old varietal originates from the same gorge where the oldest winery in the world (4100 B.C.) has been excavated, and archeo-genetic studies speak to its uninterrupted cultivation spanning thousands of years.

Sev Areni is characterized by medium-sized, dense, and conical bunches, sometimes with wings and medium-sized, black, partly oblong berries, sometimes ovate with a rounded top. The skin is thick, covered with a thick layer of bloom, the pump is juicy, and the juice is colourless. The ripening is late and the yield per plant is four to five kilograms (9 to 11 pounds). The first harvest comes in the fourth to fifth year after planting. Time of ripening is the end of September or beginning of October. Sev Areni has high resistance to frosts, moderate resistance to powdery mildew and considerable susceptibility to downy mildew.

The winery own thirty-two acres of land, all of which is under vine. The soil is pale brown with immature humus horizons with a mechanical composition of mixed clay, sand and carbonates.

Noravank, Maran Winery’s firstborn, is named after a 13th-century monastery next to the Maran vineyards in Vayots Dzor region. The first vintage was released in a newly independent Armenia in 1991. These wines are generally more easily drinkable and have no oak ageing.

The origins of Maran Winery date back to 1828 and 1830, when Sargis, son of Eynat and his wife Maran repatriated from Persia to the Armenian province of Vayots Dzor. In 1860, Harutyun, Sargis’s son, expanded the vineyard his parents had planted and called it Maran as a tribute to his mother. With a semi-industrial approach, the family was making wine up until the Soviets took the power and seized production. On the eve of the Soviet collapse, a descendent of Maran, Avag Harutyunyan, finished his studies in winemaking, obtained his PhD degree abroad and committed himself to revitalize the family traditions. After almost 200 years, the tradition of Maran winemaking is still alive, encapsulated in their beloved wines Noravank, Bagratuni, Areni Marani and many others.

The Company vineyards are located in the mountainous southern region of Vayots Dzor, at altitudes of 1,350 meters (4,400 feet) to 1,450 meters (4,800 feet) above sea level. The oldest winery in the world, Areni Cave 1, which dates back to 4000 B.C., is situated nearby, just across the gorge. The most prominently cultivated varietals include Areni Noire, Voskehat, Khatoun Kharji and more. Growing only in this region of Armenia, they are considered the forefathers of international varietals. The exquisite wines of Maran, not only grape but also pomegranate, can be found in Armenia as well as in Russia and Europe.

Avag Harutyunyan is the owner and director of the winery. Avag Harutyunyan and his son Frunz Harutyunyan both hold PhD degrees in winemaking technologies and are the winemakers responsible for the entire workflow.