The Taste and Aroma of Newmag Summerfest 2025: Meet the Winemakers Who Shared Their Stories and Wines (Photos)

Voskeni Wines

Presented by co-founder and winemaker Arina Mkrtchyan, Voskeni is a family-owned winery with a deeply personal history. The family’s great-grandfather, once based in Boston, dreamed of establishing a vineyard in Armenia. Although political exile prevented him from fulfilling this dream, his descendants rediscovered his vines—Areni and Voskehat—and in 2004 revived his legacy.

Alexandrea Winery

Founded by Adam Kablanian, a tech entrepreneur from the U.S., Alexandrea Winery merges Armenian terroir with modern innovation. According to Marketing Manager Mariam Harutyunyan, what began as a passion project in Los Angeles has blossomed into a mission: placing Armenia firmly on the global wine map. The winery introduced the first Armenian Riesling, a German variety thriving on Armenian soil.

Karas Wines

Established by the Eurnekian family, originally from the aviation industry, Karas Wines grew from a dream sparked by Mount Ararat’s silhouette. Sales and Marketing Director Vardges Hoveyan shared that their first vintages sold out quickly, paving the way for a larger vision. Today, Karas offers 23 varieties of wine and stands as a pioneer of Armenia’s modern winemaking renaissance.

Mijnaberd Wine and Spirit Factory

The story of Mijnaberd began in the village of Talin, where locals couldn't process their ripe apricot harvests. Founded in 2018 and based in Yerevan, Mijnaberd entered the wine scene in 2020. Marketing Manager Sona Avetisyan and technologist Argishti Kocharyan explained how their wines, liqueurs, and mrgoghli (distillate) blend traditional Armenian flavors with innovation. In 2023, with the help of a German technologist, the winery introduced Malbec and Chenin Blanc to Armenia.

ALTERA Wines

ALTERA Wines was introduced by Marketing Specialist Sona Avagyan. The winery boasts access to nearly 400 local grape varieties and is the brainchild of Swiss winemaker Jacob Schuyler, who previously operated in Italy and Switzerland. Schuyler turned to Armenia after tasting the Areni grape—and never looked back. Founded in 2017, the winery uses Italian equipment and a mix of Armenian, French, and American barrels to create premium wines with aging potential and distinctive minerality.

MOONQ Winery

A deeply personal story lies at the heart of MOONQ. Winemaker Tevan Poghosyan began producing wine in 2004 to celebrate the birth of his fourth daughter. After the 2020 war, the hobby turned into a family business. Originally called “Adrine,” the wine had to be renamed due to trademark issues—thus MOONQ was born. DNA testing revealed their wine was produced from a lost pomegranate grape variety. Another blend, Areni-Khndzoghn-Pomegranate, symbolizes Armenia, Artsakh, and family roots. As Poghosyan explains, even the name MOONQ serves as a reminder of Artsakh.

“Every winemaker is a dreamer. Wine is not just a product—it’s a story, a heritage, a work of art,” said Poghosyan.

To complement the wine experience, Karl Max Food Service joined the festival, providing guests with thoughtful hospitality and delicious pairings.