Alluring Armenia

About Dana Farner
Dana Farner has spent much of her life in restaurants, most recently as Beverage Director and Sommelier of Wolfgang Puck's CUT at the Beverly Wilshire, which she opened in 2006. Her wine career began in NYC as Sommelier at Blue Water Grill after her passion for blind tasting took hold. Outside restaurants, Dana was Regional Director for SevenFifty and served as Wine Advisor for private clients. She was National Sales Manager for On Premise Groups at Massanois, a New York-based Importer/Distributor. Dana now consults for wineries and importers such as Storica, Fine Wines of Armenia. Her travels through Armenia deepened her interest in and appreciation for these wines, reflecting the ancient origin of winemaking and its bright future.

Dubbed "the indie-rock goddess sommelier" by Jonathan Gold in LA Weekly, and "one of the best around" by Bon Appetit, Dana holds the Advanced Level certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and earned her Global Wine MBA from Sonoma State.

Little known fact: Before wine, Dana’s life was theater. One of her most memorable gigs was doing sketch comedy and improv on the Disney Cruise Line.

Keush is the first Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wine crafted from indigenous Armenian wine grapes grown in volcanic soil in high-elevation vineyards.

Situated in a mountainous panorama some 5,000 feet above sea level, Khachik is a rural community of approximately 1,000 people in southwestern Armenia. It also happens to inspire some of Armenia’s most innovative winemaking.
Keush Origins Brut, NV
The Keush Origins Brut has a light straw color and a beautiful bubble play. The aftertaste is mineral and fresh. Complex in aromas wine floral and citrus notes with a soft touch of fresh baguette crumbs, the traces of aging. On the palate it’s medium-bodied, very fresh and accompanied with mineral tones in aftertaste.

Keush Brut Nature Rosé Extremis Method Traditionalle, NV
100% Areni grapes are sourced from various growers in Khachik. Aged on the lees for at least 22 months before release, this wine is expressive with nuances of red fruits and notes of biscuit, driven by zesty acidity and strong mineral notes.

Zulal Wines Vayots Dzor Voskehat White Dry Wine, 2020
This unique wine, entirely dedicated to the Voskehat grape, is a masterpiece thriving on 50-year-old, ungrafted vines firmly rooted in volcanic rock at an impressive elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level. The fact that this wine is so deeply anchored in its terroir adds an extra dimension to the unique tasting experience. Voskehat, translated as ‘golden berry’ in Armenian, embodies the splendid essence of this grape variety. The winemaking process in stainless steel tanks contributes to preserving the purity of the Voskehat grape and its distinctive flavors.

Rich symphony of aromas, where the alluring scents of ripe apple, juicy pear, and intoxicating honeysuckle harmoniously converge. It’s further adorned with subtle yet distinctive hints of spices.

Zulal Wines Vayots Dzor Areni, 2019
Areni is Armenia’s leading red grape variety, capable of making energetic wines full of bright fruity flavors. Zulal, meaning ‘pure’ in Armenian, was created to express the purest characteristics of Armenia’s indigenous grape varieties grown in volcanic soils at high elevation. The 2019 Areni is an aromatic wine with notes of red cherries, plums and notes of pepper. On the palate it’s medium-bodied, with refreshing acidity and concentrated flavors of berries and spices.
Zulal Wines Vayots Dzor Areni Reserve, 2019
Captivating deeply intense yet elegant red wine. Deep cherry color with clearly defined tears and a ruby edge. The nose is chock full of fresh fruit combined with accents of spicy blueberry jam with rosemary and wild thyme. The taste is surprisingly refined for this thick-peeled grape. Thanks to the aging in old oak barrels, the texture is balanced, whilst the grape tannins lay a velvet blanket over the mouthfeel. Long refined aftertaste dominated by berries and dried herbs. Delicious glass of wine to enjoy on its own, but also delicious with poultry, braised meat dishes and vegetable dishes with sun-dried fruit vegetables. Perfect with fresh cheeses.
Voskevaz Winery Karasi Collection Areni Noir Vieilles Vignes Red Dry Wine, 2018
Fermented in karases and aged in Armenian oak barrels, Voskevaz Karasi Collection Areni Noir 2018 is all elegance and finesse. Beautiful ruby red colour, pronounced aromas of cherry and forest fruit along with black pepper, cloves, nutmeg and eucalyptus, create a truly remarkable experience. Masterfully balanced, with fresh acidity, extremely soft tannins and a real zip, this is a wine made to impress. Voskevaz is Armenia’s oldest and most prominent winery. It was one of the first producers to revive the Armenian tradition of winemaking in karases.

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