300 days of sunshine per year, 80 percent mountains, about 17,000 hectares of vineyards and far more than 400 grape varieties: these are impressive figures that give a rough idea of Armenia's wine culture. Probably more important for the self-confidence of the small Caucasus state, which borders Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan, however, are the following facts: In 2007, archaeologists found evidence of an approximately 6,000-year-old wine culture in the Areni Cave, not far from the important Noravank Monastery in the Arpat Valley. A wine press, clay fermentation and drinking vessels as well as grape seeds were excavated here. Armenia is thus now considered one of the oldest wine countries in the world.