Most people know about Armenia's Tatev village thanks to the record-holding cable ropeway. We have a separate article on what else you can find in Tatev, but now we want to tell about one specific place: a Gastro Yard filled with warmth, hospitality, and kindness, as well as the aroma of fresh Armenian wine.
Agrotourism has been developing in Armenia in recent years. The project "Integrated Development of Rural Tourism" was launched in 2016, which involved 60 villages throughout Armenia. The Gastro Yard and guest house of Armen were created with the help of the UNDP project "Development of Integrated Rural Tourism," with the financial support of the Government of Armenia and the Russian Federation. Thanks to GastroYards, travelers who come to Armenia will be able to build routes to unique tourist destinations, as well as enjoy hospitality, authentic food and drinks from local residents!
Armen is someone who is happy to fill his guests' stomachs with fresh produce. His GastroYard specializes in wine and national cuisine. You can also come here and enjoy a warm-hearted conversation with the owner, buy Armenian national leather shoes called "threkh" and learn how to make it yourself. Even before the start of the project, Armen hosted guests, and now, thanks to the UNDP project, he does it more often.
In the future, he plans to cooperate with travel agencies and receive even more guests. Tourist visitors give the GastroYard a new momentum and energy for more active development. For example, Armen is planning to build a veranda this summer, get new equipment, and invent new interactive games for guests.
The owner of the Gastro Yard focuses his attention on the production of white and red wine. The wines have no names yet, but their refreshing tastes and flavors will not leave anyone indifferent. We noticed the special "lightness" and a certain "roundness" of the taste of white wine, which gives pineapple, apple, and citrus notes, as well as the richness of red wine, which smells like it was made from wild berries. The wines are made from the grape variety Voskehat, which Armen buys from Yeghegnadzor, but he plans to use the local grape varieties, which are beginning to grow in the region. Since ancient times, there has been viticulture and winemaking in Syunik, but in Soviet times this industry practically disappeared in the region, since the whole focus was shifted to brandy. Now, Armen wants to develop winemaking based on local grape varieties, but, according to him, this will take time.About 4-5 years later the local grape varieties will be suitable for making wine, he says, and winemaking and viticulture will slowly revive in the region.
Armen started doing Gastro Yard as a project 2 years ago, but before that he had already hosted guests at his home more than once. Almost everyone who visited Armen received unforgettable emotions from the local atmosphere, delicious breakfasts, and good company in the person of the owner of the guest house and his family. He really cares about impressions tourists will leave with, so he offers them his own routes around the region and takes them to the best places. If you want to spend your days in Tatev in a wonderful company and in an unforgettable colorful place, then be sure to come to Armen, because his guest house at 14, Street 1 is just 10 meters from the famous Wings of Tatev cable car!
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