The Krya Winery and tasting room, located in Vernashen, Vayots Dzor, are built on principles of ecologically sustainable production, aiming to maximize the advantages of high-altitude climatic conditions and enhance grape quality.
In 2020, Tatevik Gabrielyan founded the winery with a clear conviction: “One of the most important aspects of winemaking is the vineyards themselves. Properly cultivated vineyards provide high-quality grapes, which can then be transformed into exceptional wine.”
After establishing the winery, Tatévik observed a growing interest from visitors year after year, which led to the creation of a tasting room directly within the vineyards, allowing guests to experience the winemaking process firsthand and enjoy a glass of exceptional wine on site.
With the support of the “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia”) (LILA) project, the tasting room was constructed, the old vineyards in Vernashen were restored, and an ecologically clean processing model was introduced – creating new tourism flows and local employment opportunities. This collaboration not only preserved environmental values but also improved wine quality and expanded Vernashen’s economic and tourism potential in winemaking.
Tatevik’s strategic vision, community-oriented leadership, and commitment to sustainable practices position her as a model for the new generation of female entrepreneurs, exemplifying how thoughtful use of local resources and women’s leadership can drive both economic growth and regional development.
Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with SDA NGO.