Winetech Innovation Summit

🍇Tradition and technology came together at the WineTech Innovation Summit, which successfully gathered industry leaders, tech innovators, and wine enthusiasts for an incredibly insightful event!

Throughout the day, speakers and panelists explored the evolution of global wine tourism, sustainable transformation, and how digital tools are shaping the modern wine landscape. 📊 Endless insights were shared on how data empowers every bottle - evaluating Armenian wines through global ratings, and examining the local approach to precision viticulture and traceability.

In addition, discussions covered how digital wine programs are revolutionizing restaurant sales alongside an engaging HoReCa panel on practical ways to boost wine consumption. 🥂 Overall, the summit proved that when heritage meets data, the future of the wine industry becomes smarter, more connected, and deeply sustainable. Thank you to everyone who made this event such a resounding success! 🍾🎉

🍷We are incredibly excited to introduce a industry innovator who is bridging the gap between global wine consumers and digital technology! Let’s give a warm welcome to Astrid Gudmand, Key Account Manager on Vivino’s Media team! 

Based in Copenhagen, Astrid works directly with wineries and regional wine associations across EMEA to transform real consumer insights into impactful strategies. Since joining Vivino in 2020, she has been at the forefront of helping producers leverage data-driven digital tools to boost their international visibility and connect authentically with millions of wine lovers around the world 🌍✨

At the WineTech Innovation Summit, Astrid will dive into global wine consumer trends, explore Vivino’s role in modern wine discovery, and share how digital platforms and data can empower wineries to build deeper, long-lasting relationships with their audience 🍇

🍷From Michelin-starred dining rooms to leading top-tier wine programs, our next speaker brings world-class restaurant expertise to the stage! We’re proud to feature Anton Panteleev, Chief Sommelier at Lucky Group!

With nearly two decades of hospitality experience starting in 2008, Anton has built a distinguished career across Moscow’s premier dining establishments, including Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels. Over the past five years as Chief Sommelier, he has focused on crafting exceptional wine lists, designing flawless pairings, and training top-tier service teams. His philosophy centers on guest-oriented service, composed leadership, and data-driven management ✨

At the WineTech Innovation Summit, Anton will bring his deep industry insights to our panel discussion on how restaurants and HoReCa businesses can boost wine consumption, sharing actionable strategies to elevate guest experiences and drive sales 🥂

WineAndHoReCa HospitalityIndustry WineEducation Kempinski

🍷Our lineup just got even stronger. Say hello to Maryna Revkova, Chief Sommelier at Art Life Kempinski! 
Maryna’s list of achievements is nothing short of extraordinary. Crowned the Best Sommelier of Ukraine in 2021, she is also an Italian Wine Ambassador holding the highly prestigious ASI Diploma and DipWSET. 

Her passion and expertise have taken her to the highest levels of global competition, representing Ukraine as a quarter-finalist at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World Competition in Paris (2023) and competing on the continental stage in 2021 and 2024. From collaborating with a Michelin-starred chef in Portugal to completing a harvest internship at the legendary Château Latour in Bordeaux, Maryna brings an unparalleled level of global elite experience to the industry. 

At the Winetech summit, Maryna will be bringing her world-class expertise to our highly anticipated panel discussion focusing on Wine & HoReCa, where she and other experts will explore how restaurants can successfully increase wine consumption through innovative service, curation, and tech integration. 

WineAndHoReCa HospitalityIndustry WineEducation Kempinski

🍷Please join us in welcoming Hrachya Yeritsyan, the esteemed Head of the Wine Department at Andaco LLC! ✨

For over a decade and a half, Hrachya has been a major force in the import, distribution, and strategic development of premium wine and beverage brands. Working closely with world-renowned international wineries and producers, he has consistently introduced high-quality wines to the local market while cultivating lasting, trust-based partnerships across the global wine sector. His deep understanding of market expansion, logistics, and consumer trends has made Andaco a powerhouse name in the region’s premium retail and hospitality spaces.

We are excited to have Hrachya join our expert lineup for our upcoming Wine & HoReCa panel discussion, where he will bring his deep commercial insights to explore how restaurants and distributors can collaborate to increase wine consumption through smarter curation and exceptional brand experiences! 🥂

MarketExpansion HoReCa WineBusiness AndacoSpirits

🍷We couldn’t be more excited to have Aramayis Mkrtchyan, the Head of the Viticulture and Winemaking Department at the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia! 

With more than a decade of hands-on expertise in the field, Aramayis is the driving force behind modernizing Armenia’s vineyards. He works directly at the fascinating intersection of ancient tradition and cutting-edge technology. From advancing the national vineyard registry to implementing full vine-to-bottle traceability, Aramayis is helping local growers and producers adopt smart, data-driven tools✨

His mission is clear: preserve Armenia’s historical, indigenous grape varieties and rich winemaking heritage, while equipping the industry with the tech needed to compete on the global stage. Thanks to his efforts, Armenia is confidently cementing its title as “the oldest newest wine-producing country” in the world! 🍇

At the summit, he will be breaking down how tech is reshaping local fields, more specifically about the Armenian Approach for the precision viticulture and traceability. 

AgTech WineBusiness SustainableTourism

🍷Meet the General Partner of the WineTech Innovation Summit, GIZ Armenia.

GIZ is a leading international cooperation enterprise operating in around 120 countries. Commissioned by the German Government, GIZ works closely with local governments, civil society, and the private sector to shape a fair, secure, and human-centered digital transformation.

From building national artificial intelligence strategies and modernizing public administration through GovTech, to bridging the digital divide in emerging markets, GIZ designs scalable digital ecosystems that foster local innovation, boost economic growth, and empower communities worldwide✨

🍷 The WineTech Innovation Summit Has Officially Begun!

🎙Welcoming speeches by national and international experts outlined why modernization is not a luxury but a necessity. We had the honor of hearing from Zaruhi Muradyan, Khachatur Julhakyan, Jochen Heussner, Stefan Iamandi, Darko Jaksic, Shushanik Asmaryan, Ruben Samaryan, and many more. Their shared expertise covered a wide range of topics — from digital innovation and branding to the protection of geographical indications, sustainable practices, and the future of Armenian wine in a global context.

Two panel discussions deepened the dialogue: one on the application of digital tools and platforms for advisory services, farm monitoring, and supply chain management in the agrifood sector, and another on digital tools for wine tourism development.

The event emphasized that wine is far more than a drink — it’s a bottled story, a cultural ambassador, and a strategic driver for Armenia’s economic development. From the ancient Areni cave to modern vineyards and smart technologies, Armenia stands proudly as the oldest newest wine country — carrying centuries of legacy, now ready to shape a bold, sustainable, and tech-driven future.

🤩We are deeply thankful to all our incredible co-organizers who made the WineTech Innovation Summit possible: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and “Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Eastern partnership Countries” project, the Vine & Wine Foundation of Armenia, Startup Armenia, and Wine Lovers Union for their partnership and support in turning this vision into reality.

We dream big – from organizing the world’s first Ancient Wine Event to building a modern wine ecosystem grounded in innovation and legacy🌍🍇