Zorik Gharibian — the fashion man who went home
Zorik Gharibian built a career in Milan's fashion industry. When it came time to fulfill a long-held winery dream, every instinct said Tuscany. He chose Armenia instead — specifically the remote village of Rind in the highlands of Vayots Dzor, 1,400 meters above sea level, where limestone soils haven't seen phylloxera and old vines grow on their own roots.
The inaugural Karasi 2010 was named one of Bloomberg's Top Ten Wines of the year. Fifteen vintages later, the wine consistently scores 90–94 points and Zorah is recognized as the benchmark producer in Armenia's modern wine renaissance — the name that opened the international conversation about what Armenian wine could be.
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The karas tradition
Karasi means "from karas" in Armenian — the traditional clay amphora that has been used for winemaking in this region for over 6,000 years. In 2007, archaeologists uncovered the world's oldest known winery in a cave in Armenia's Vayots Dzor region, with karas, grape seeds, and a wine press dating to 4100 BC. Zorah ages Karasi in these vessels, which allow gentle micro-oxygenation without the influence of wood — preserving the pure varietal expression of Areni Noir and the distinct mineral character of the terroir. It is one of the oldest winemaking techniques on earth, practiced in one of the oldest wine regions on earth.
White · Voskehat
Voskevaz Voskehat Karasi Collection 2022
≈ $22–28
Armenia's signature white grape variety at its clearest expression. Aged in both karas and barrel, it produces a wonderfully fresh, minerally wine with stone fruit and chalk notes. Family winery from Aragatsotn, originally founded 1932.
Amber · Chilar
Zorah Heritage Chilar 2023
≈ $38–45
Extended skin maceration (two to three months) on this rare indigenous white grape gives a deep amber color despite Chilar's low pigment. Fermented and aged in karas. For the natural wine curious — textured, ancient, and unlike anything from elsewhere.
Red · Areni Noir
Voskeni Voskehat, Vayots Dzor 2022
≈ $20–26
A family estate tracing back generations in Vayots Dzor. More accessible price point than Zorah, with the same Areni Noir terroir story — green apple, white flowers, wet chalkboard on the nose. The best entry point into Armenian wine.