u r t o r y
How Lusarev was Created
Where our story began
Lusarev was founded in 2001 in the village of Aghavnadzor, Vayots Dzor, by brothers Murad and Samvel Sargsyan. In its early years, it was a small winemaking initiative created with the idea of supporting community development and did not operate on a large production scale. The winery is located in Aghavnadzor, one of the important centers of Armenia’s winemaking heritage. Here, winemaking is more than a craft; it is a culture shaped by the tradition of living in harmony with nature, the land, and time. In 2020, one of the founders’ descendants, Samvel Sargsyan’s son Frunze Sargsyan, decided to breathe new life into the brand by increasing production volumes and focusing on its further development.
Lusarev wines are born in Vayots Dzor itself, a region where the long, warm autumn and sunny days create exceptional conditions for grape ripening. On high-altitude slopes, at around 1,490 meters above sea level, the natural environment takes shape, giving the grapes of this land their distinctive character. The sun, clean mountain air, and the particular qualities of the soil create the conditions that give each bottle its distinctive taste.
At the heart of all this are the old vineyards of Aghavnadzor. Here, 120-year-old vines have been preserved, producing limited yet high-quality harvests. These old vineyards continue to shape the winemaking identity of this place to this day.
Our Community, our strength
The community of Aghavnadzor is an important part of the Lusarev story. Grapes are harvested not only from the winery’s own vineyards, but are also sourced from local grape farmers, because for us the community’s participation in the winemaking process is a matter of principle. Thanks to this cooperation, the creation of our wines involves people who have cared for this land for generations. In this way, every Lusarev wine carries within it not only the characteristics of the place, but also the continuity of the community’s work and experience.
Our Vineyards and grape varieties
It is in this environment that the Lusarev vineyards have also taken shape, where Armenia’s endemic grape varieties, Areni and Voskehat, are cultivated. The vineyard area will soon reach around 5 hectares. Harvesting is organized in accordance with the natural ripening stages of the grapes. The first harvest for sparkling wines begins at the end of August. White grapes are mainly harvested in September, while red grapes are harvested in October.
The cultivation of the vineyards and the winemaking processes are based on a combination of traditional experience and modern technology. This approach makes it possible to create wines that preserve the natural taste and character of Armenian grapes.
Precision at every stage of production
After the harvest, the grapes are transported in crates to the Lusarev winery, where they are carefully sorted by hand so that only the finest berries move on to the next stage of processing.
Our winery makes it possible to oversee the entire production process, from grape harvest to bottling. Thanks to this oversight, each bottle is created with the same care and attention.
The art of ageing
Three different methods are used for the storage and ageing of Lusarev wines: Artsakh oak barrels, traditional karases, and concrete egg-shaped vessels. The combination of these methods makes it possible to create wines that preserve the natural taste of the grapes and have harmonious, rich structure and freshness.
A winery of international standards
Located in the heart of Aghavnadzor, the winery has followed a steady path of development over the past more than 20 years. During this time, it has been modernized with the latest technologies and has grown from a small family initiative into a modern production facility. This progress has been made possible through the joint work of the team and the community. Residents of Aghavnadzor also work at the winery, contributing to the winemaking process with their experience and dedication.
The people behind Lusarev
We combine local experience with international knowledge. Our team includes both experienced Armenian winemakers and consultants from the historic Champagne region of France. This collaboration helps us maintain high professional standards while also highlighting the distinctive character of Armenian grape varieties.
Our vision
The direction We are moving in
Our vision has been shaped by love for the craft, creativity, and years of experience. These are the values that guide our work every day.
We strive to preserve and develop the millennia-old heritage of Armenian winemaking. At the same time, we create wines that express the distinctive features of our terroir and combine tradition with modern approaches.
One of our key goals is also to create a connection between wine lovers and Armenian winemaking heritage, giving them the opportunity to discover the distinctive tastes of Armenian wine.
Our mission and goals
Why We make wine
Our mission comes from the same idea on which we were founded in 2001: to support and develop the community. Cooperation with local grape farmers makes it possible to create wines that express the character of the region while also contributing to the community’s economic development.
Our goals are:
Preservation of tradition and culture: through our work, to preserve and promote Armenian winemaking heritage and to present its history and traditions to wine lovers around the world.
Sustainability and innovation: to value sustainable agricultural approaches and to continuously develop through the application of modern technologies.
Quality and excellence: to constantly refine winemaking techniques and processes so that every bottle of Lusarev meets high standards of quality.
Care and responsibility: to act responsibly toward the environment and ensure the best possible experience for our guests and consumers, paying attention to every detail of creation and presentation.
With the support of our team and community, we create not only wine, but also a developing and vibrant community that continues moving forward with us while remaining true to its traditions.
Our Philosophy: Accessible luxury
We believe that true luxury is not ostentatious; it is a feeling. It is the moment when an ordinary evening becomes warmer, a conversation becomes deeper, and memories become longer-lasting. Lusarev is created for people who love to live beautifully, without waiting for special occasions.
Our goal is not only to create wine; we also strive to develop the culture of drinking wine as a part of quality of life and pass it on as a family value from generation to generation.
Join us on this journey and discover the true tastes of Armenian wine.
Our team and community
The people behind Lusarev are our main driving force. Our family brings together not only the dedicated staff of the winery and the residents of Aghavnadzor, but also the experienced winemakers creating at the heart of production.
The daily work and care are ensured by our staff, who turn grape growing and the making of wine into a warm community tradition. And the elegance of the flavors and the brand’s distinctive signature are created by our leading specialists.
Our team harmoniously combines the skills of local master winemakers with the international experience of consultants invited from the historic Champagne region of France.
It is this combination that turns winemaking at Lusarev into a craft with its own professional signature.
Our winery
Welcome to Aghavnadzor, to the Lusarev Winery
Armenia is one of the cradles of winemaking, and the village of Aghavnadzor in Vayots Dzor is one of its important centers. Here, nature has created favorable soil and climate conditions for viticulture.
This is exactly where the Lusarev winery is located. Over more than two decades, we have followed a steady path of development, growing from a small family initiative into a modern production facility equipped to international standards.
At our winery, every wine goes through its entire journey with us, from harvest to bottling.