Karas Winery — a bridge into Armenia, built at scale
Founded in 2004 by the Eurnekian family in Armenia's Ararat Valley, Karas planted its vineyards above 1,300 meters in volcanic soil, eventually growing indigenous and international grapes across more than 400 hectares — one of the largest, most technically ambitious wineries to emerge from Armenia's modern wine renaissance. In the process of mapping and replanting the valley, Karas has helped identify more than 120 indigenous Armenian grape varieties, and became the first winery in the country to certify an organic vineyard.
In September 2026, Karas was nominated for "New World Winery of the Year" at Wine Enthusiast's 2026 Wine Star Awards — a notable nod to Armenia's growing presence on the global wine stage. Winners are announced at a gala in January 2027. Karas wines now reach U.S. shelves through Total Wine & More and importer Fat & Happy Beverages, making this one of the more widely available Armenian labels for diaspora drinkers to actually find.
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The name and the vessel
Karas takes its name from the same clay amphora — karas — that has been used for winemaking in this region for roughly 6,000 years, since long before Armenia was Armenia. This Reserve bottling is fermented in those traditional vessels before finishing in Armenian oak, pairing an ancient technique with a modern, export-scale winery. It's a fitting namesake: a winery built to carry Armenian wine outward, named for the vessel that has carried it for millennia.
Red · Entry-level
Karas Classic Red
≈ $12–14
Karas's everyday bottling — an approachable, fruit-forward red blend from the same Ararat Valley fruit, and the easiest on-ramp into the label before stepping up to the Reserve tier.
Red · Single Vineyard
Karas Single Vineyard Areni, 2021
≈ $25–30
A varietal, single-site expression of Areni Noir from Karas's estate vineyards — more structured and site-specific than the Reserve blend, for anyone chasing a purer read on the grape.
Red · Areni Noir
Zorah Karasi, Vayots Dzor 2022
≈ $44
September's pick sits at the accessible, export-scale end of Armenian wine; last month's featured bottle, Zorah's Karasi, remains the benchmark at the boutique, terroir-driven end — worth tasting side by side.