Starting Innovative Wineries in Armenia
2 min readYEREVAN, Armenia – On December 8, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Innovation and Technology Incubation Center (ITIC) hosted Victoria Aslanian, as part of its What’s Next? lecture series. Aslanian spoke about her decision to return to Armenia to manage the Golden Grapes ArmAs Estate and the challenges she faced building a world-class, technologically advanced winery and vineyard in Armenia. She also talked about the opportunities that lie ahead. Aslanian presented her vision for promoting wine production in Armenia and the steps that have been taken to achieve her vision.
Aslanian was born in Yerevan in the 1980s, migrating to the US in 1990. After the birth of her two boys, she permanently returned to Armenia in 2009 to partake in her father’s vision and venture, which involved developments in the agricultural, wine and brandy, and tourism sectors. Her father, Armenak Aslanian, founded the Golden Grape ArmAs and the 200 hectare ArmAs Estate, cultivating a desolate and difficult landscape into a picturesque panorama including vineyards, orchards, a lake, a farm, a world-class winery, a tasting room, and other touristic accommodations. Under Victoria’s direction as CEO, ArmAs Wines has received nine prestigious international wine awards. The company continues to flourish while maintaining a strong sense of corporate social responsibility contributing to the arts, education, and women’s empowerment. The EVN Wine Academy, Teach for Armenia, and Armenian Young Women’s Association are among several organizations that ArmAs supports. In October 2013, Aslanian had the honor of presenting Armenia’s history of viticulture and enology at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. In 2014, her company was given the title of ‘Best Brand’ at the Women Entrepreneur Awards, and, through the collective efforts of the ArmAs team, Armenia was the country of honor at the Davos Du Vin, World Wine Symposium at Ville D’Este in Lake Como, Italy. Aslanian continues to manage the positive reception and attention that ArmAs Wines has received, as an instrument to promote the renaissance of Armenian wine in Europe, Canada, and the United States. In 2015, she established the ArmAs Martin Cultural Foundation as yet another vehicle for the promotion of the legacy and continued development of the rich cultural heritage she has proudly inherited.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.
