Vahe Keushguerian is a wine entrepreneur and founder of Keush in the Vayots Dzor region of Armenia. He has nearly 30 years of international experience, and is the founder of WineWorks, a winery incubator in Armenia that supports over a dozen producers and plays a central role in the country’s wine revival. He began his career in California with Tastevin Imports and Lalime’s Restaurant, later running two wineries in Italy—La Rendola (Tuscany) and La Corte (Puglia). Since relocating to Armenia in 2009, Vahe has launched pioneering projects including Keush, the country’s first traditional method sparkling wine, and co-founded OSHIN, and the EVN Wine Academy. He also established Armenia’s first nurseries for indigenous grape varieties.
Vahe’s story is featured in A Cup of Salvation, a SOMM TV documentary shortlisted for the 2024 Oscars, chronicling his effort to make wine from ancient Iranian vineyards. This led to Molana, a cross-border project using Iranian grapes vinified in Armenia. This wine is considered to be one of the most ‘dangerous wines’ in the world. He is also active in civil society as Chairman of EVN Report and Impact Hub Yerevan, supporting media and social entrepreneurship.
Media Inquiries: Elisa Fershtadt ef3616@gmail.com | https://keush.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Khachik. A remote village perched on Armenia’s western border in Vayots Dzor. Our vineyards are among the highest elevation sites in the world for traditional method sparkling wine, reaching 1,750 meters above sea level. They were planted 100-120-year-old, own-rooted vines, many of which had been abandoned for decades due to the region’s location along a militarized border. We’ve been working closely with local families to revitalize these historic, pre-phylloxera vineyards, turning what was once abandoned vineyards into a beautiful source of grapes.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
Go to uncharted waters- countries that have not produced wines so far, but have lands where they potentially have great terroir, but have not thought about making wine. Many African
countries with higher elevation vineyards, for example.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
If I had to try just one wine? Keush Rose extremis: Very Old vines, high elevation vineyards, indigenous variety, Areni, and 3 years on the lees. Essence of perseverance in the face of adversity. Ideal for an early evening ‘opening statement’. It’s Brut Nature and wonderfully balanced. A true ‘la vie en rose’ moment. Read my review of these bubbles here.
Bonus Question: What are your wholehearted convictions related to the wine business?
There are no shortcuts. Quality is made in the vineyards. Respect nature.