PRESS RELEASE
Tufenkian Hospitality
21/1 Tumanian St.,

Yerevan Armenia 375001
Contact: Lilit Hakobyan
Tel: 374 1 520 911
Fax: 374 1 520 913
E-mail: lilit@tufenkian.am
Web:

THE FIRST NATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
Second Saturday of October (2004 10 09)
Vayots Dzor region, Areni Village,

Armenia

USDA and Tufenkian Hospitality are glad to announce the first national wine
festival in Armenia, with the aim to introduce an ancient Armenian tradition
of winemaking to the World.

More than just a showcase for great wine, the festival is a major event for
traditional food making and tasting, traditional crafts-making, and
folkloric performances.

The event program includes traditional dancing, singing, tight-rope
performances, a Marionette Theatre, food-making and tasting, wine-making and
tasting, traditional games, contests, art work, carpet weaving, and craft
items: their creation and presentation (materials used include stone, wood,
and local ceramics).

Villagers will sell home-made products, in their houses – yogurt (matsun)
and cream, honey, nuts and walnuts, vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, baked
goods, lavash, home-made jams and jellies, sweet sujukh, herbal teas
(including hip-rose & thyme), and all the other products that a typical
Armenian household usually prepares for its members.

Armenian companies will present such products as wine, cheese, dried fruits,
meat and fish products, and soft drinks.

Craftsmen will present their work, and visitors may try their hand at
replicating this art.

Armenian restaurants and cafes will organize an area for a one-day operation
of their businesses.

Children can draw in a nearby meadow.

At the Information Desk, visitors can learn about the history and historical
monuments of the region, including Gladzor Museum, the Selim Pass and
Caravanserai, and Noravanq Monastery. Find out more about the local climate,
the flora and fauna of the region, and the village itself. The Djermuk Spa
will also be present.

A qualified trilingual guide will take visitors to the local church for a
tour. This will be done according to a set schedule throughout the day.

For more information please contact us at 374 1 520 911, 105 ext., or e-mail
lilit@tufenkian.am