When Waters Edge Wineries introduced the concept of an urban micro-winery franchise back in 2004, it was a bold move. By establishing winemaking facilities in urban neighborhoods, the founders Ken and Angela Lineberger aimed to make wine more accessible to the public, similar to the way craft beer had done with brewpubs. This innovative approach allowed consumers to interact with local winemakers, explore different wine styles, and enjoy wines made on-site. Today, there are fifteen Waters Edge Wineries across the U.S., offering a unique blend of a traditional winery experience and a trendy wine bar bistro concept.
In response to shifting consumer preferences post-pandemic towards premium brands with authentic stories, Waters Edge Wineries made a strategic decision in 2023 to introduce a new offering. They decided to curate collections of wines from small family-owned producers worldwide, showcasing well-known wine regions as well as hidden gems. The debut collection from Tuscany, Italy, was just the beginning. The subsequent selection of Armenian wines brought one of the oldest and least-known grape varieties to the forefront of the American wine scene.
Armenia, a mountainous country with a long history of winemaking, has been a hidden gem in the wine world. Legend has it that the first grapevines were planted by Noah himself. Despite facing challenges during the Soviet era when winemaking shifted to Brandy production, Armenian wines have started gaining recognition internationally in recent years. Waters Edge Wineries decided to showcase four Armenian wines across their locations, each telling a unique story of Armenia’s winemaking heritage.
The Armenian wines introduced by Waters Edge Wineries include the Areni/Sireni blend, Areni Reserve, and Voskehat. The Areni grape, dating back over 6,000 years, is a light to medium-bodied red wine evoking flavors of cherry, currants, black pepper, and cranberry. Sireni wines are deeply colored and full-bodied, while Voskehat, known as the ‘golden berry,’ is a Chardonnay-like variety with vines that have stood for over 250 years. These unique Armenian wines offer customers a chance to indulge in something exotic and learn about the rich winemaking tradition of Armenia.
By partnering with Storica Wines, a distributor dedicated to bringing Armenian wines to the U.S. market, Waters Edge Wineries aims to provide customers with a distinct wine experience. Priced between $40-60 per bottle, these Armenian wines offer a taste of the unknown and a glimpse into a winemaking region ready to reclaim its place in the global wine industry. Waters Edge Wineries plans to continue offering Armenian wines in the coming years, hoping to introduce more people to the unique flavors and stories behind these exceptional wines.
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