Bold Wines’ bold moves

In a time when Armenian winemaking is capturing widespread attention, a new wine label has hit the market, quickly making a name for itself due to its distinctive style and compelling story. Bold Wines stands out from other Armenian wines as it is made in garages, following the tradition of “Garagiste (garage) winemaking” that began in Bordeaux, France in the 1990s. The idea behind the movement was to break free from traditional winemaking conventions and take a more rebellious approach, which resonated with Tatev Khachatryan, the founder of Bold Wines. 

Although this method is not yet popular in the Armenian winemaking scene, Khachatryan believed it was the ideal way to bring her dream as a modest wine enthusiast to life. “After almost 14 years of tasting wines, traveling through various regions, and studying at the EVN Wine Academy, wine has become a lifestyle for me,” she told the Weekly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that was challenging for many, things were quite different for Khachatryan and her friends. She took initial steps and started crafting wine in one of her friend’s garages, where she experimented with just two barrels of Areni grapes.