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Sona Avagyan

20 Years Later: Yerevan Native Returns to Put Down Roots and Make Wine

After twenty years of living in the U.S., Varuzhan Mouradian has returned to Armenia for good.

A Yerevan native who races his roots to Van, Varuzhan has brought his wife and four children with him. He says it would be a mistake to remain in the States even though that country has given him much.

“Slowly, I have to put down roots here for good. After all, a person can only feel happier on his own soil. I constantly surprised by people who are amazed that I have returned. Hopefully, what I have done will be regarded as natural and will be duplicated on a massive scale,” says Varuzhan, who was a CPA back in Glendale.

He opened his own company and has left it in the hands of his partner.

Varuzhan started making plans to return ten years ago. In his recent years, the family would spend their summer vacations in Armenia so that the children could see Armenia for themselves and integrate into the local lifestyle.

Back in the States, Varuzhan immersed himself in viticulture. He travelled to the wine centers of the U.S., France and Italy and took courses in wine making at U.C. Davis. Varuzhan was thinking of buying land in Santa Barbara but changed his mind and decided to invest his money in Armenia. He’s purchased land in the Sasounik village in Aragatzotn Marz.

“My aim is to change my profession and to start growing grapes. Many can’t understand how I could leave my warm and secure office in America, come here, and get involved in work that is quite demanding and labor intensive. My friends who knew about the project really pitied me when they saw the poor state of the land on which I would have to make my dream come true. However surprising it may sound, their troubled faces strengthened my backbone to confidently persevere,” Varuzhan recounts.

This is the land on which Varuzhan Mouradian will build his dream wine taverna/factory

6.5 hectares of the sixty hectares he purchased has been planted with wine grape varieties. His ultimate vision is to build a small wine wine taverna/ production plant. The preliminary work is near completion. It will be a multi-functional site with a wine tasting hall, a wine cellar, so that   visitors can see how the entire process from grape to wine unfolds. There’ll be a parking lot, fountains and even horses. It will also serve as a club where jazz concerts and harvest festivals will be organized.

“It’s not just a business but a way of life. At first, I approached it as a hobby but later I was confident enough to invest a good deal of love and work into it, knowing that in the end it would be successful. It’s become the most important project in my life, something that my children can carry on.”

When I ask Varuzhan if he’s taken into account the risks of starting a business in Armenia, the vintner says there’s risks in any new business and you can’t foresee them all.

“The first question they ask me in the diaspora is ‘won’t they create trouble for you in Armenia?’ I tell them so far I’ve only been helped, not hindered. So what if one day I meet up with a trouble-maker? Should I get disillusioned and leave Armenia? Of course not. Each country has its own particular business climate. Just take the government bureaucracy in France for example. Should that make someone starting a business in France to declare that the country isn’t a good business location?”

Varuzhan says that wines produced in Armenia are looked down upon in Los Angeles. Most of the wine exported from Armenia is purchased by the Armenian market there. It’s really not up to American standards. Armenia, he says, isn’t even marked on the maps showing international wine making nations.

He says that things are slowly changing for the better in terms of crafting quality Armenian wines.

Tracing his family tree back to Van, Varuzhan wants to study the grape varieties and wine making techniques the Vasbourakan region was once famous for under the Armenian rulers of the day.

Four years ago, when Varuzhan served as president of the Vasbourakan Compatriotic Union in Los Angeles, he and several members travelled to Western Armenia, including Van. Next year, he wants to visit the villages of Van to see if any old grape varieties are still grown.

The vineyards in Sasounik  

“Sadly, there isn’t much available literature about wine making in Van, but being a grandson of Van I have set out to do more research. Let’s see what happens,” Varuzhan says.

Varuzhan says that there are many positive aspects of American life he’d like to see here in Armenia. He mentions the comfortable roads first of all. He’d also like to see more smiles on the faces of people in Armenia rather than scowls, and for people to be a bit more tolerant and good-natured towards others.

“I’m not a newcomer and am fully aware of everything here. If need be, I could count off more complaints and negative things than the complainers I met. Can you name a country where corruption and monopolies don’t exist? They will not disappear on their own. We have to work together to remove them,” Varuzhan says.

While he accepts the important role the Armenian Apostolic Church plays in the diaspora, at the same time he can’t understand why millions of dollars are being spent to build churches in foreign lands. Varuzhan believes that the spiritual needs of diaspora Armenians could be satisfied with more modest means and the vast savings directed towards Armenia. A million dollars each could be thus invested in border villages to build or renovate a school or small factory.

“The fact remains that in 3-4 generations Armenians in the diaspora will cease being Armenian. They’re only kidding themselves when they talk about preserving Armenian identify in the diaspora. Tragically, the diaspora is already on the road of extinction,” Varuzhan says, noting the diaspora communities that already have assimilated.

When I commented that Armenians from the diaspora don’t come to Armenia due to a lack of jobs, while at the same time local Armenians are leaving, Varuzhan said those moving to the States won’t find many offering them jobs right off the bat in these troubled economic times.

Ending on a positive note, Varuzhan believes there are many in Los Angeles who want to relocate to Armenia. What’s preventing them from making the move is the lack of social justice in Armenia and their own tight financial resources.

Comments (37)

Сусанна Мурадян
Варужан джан огромный привет, я случайно нашала эту статью, обрадовалась. Про твои грандиозные планы я узнала от твоего брата, докажи всем, что при желании человек может и горы свернуть.Успехов тебе и привет семье.
Movses Movsisyan
Varoujan@ mer @ntaniqi vaghemi barekamnn e,. Arjani & orinakeli Hayordi, Hayr.. Astvats qez Uj yev yerand, Aroghjutun yev Hamerutyun ta barekam.. brnats jampat misht Kanach lini .. Astso Orhnutyunn el anpakas dzezanits 1995it's i ver Moradian financial@ mer khanuti yev andznakn hashivneri hashvapahn e yeghel, tesel enq te inchpes e bariatskam yev hogatar katarum ir gorts, aveli qan vstah em or ir hajoghutyan mej.. Astvats Pahapan Barekam
Hrachya Muradyan
cankanum em hajoxutyun ko planavorac gorcerum. Ete ognutyan karik lini texyak pahi ko kursecinerin im glxavorutyamb.
Tigra Muradyan
Hello Varuzhan, I am sitting in Denver in my cozy, warm office reading about your goals and dreams. Not only that I share the same dreams with you, but it seems like I have a similar personal & professionalism background. I have moved into US 10 yrs ago, and I am also planning to return back home in near future. My vision of raising my kids is similar to what you thought is best for your kids, and returning back to homeland is just matter of time. Surprisingly, this is probably the 1st blog that I have ever participated in. I wanted to share with you that we share the same last name, Vaneci ancestry, and maybe even relatives that never met or knew each other due to genocide. I wish you all the best, and hope to come visit your winery soon. Sincerely, Tigran Hovhannes Muradyan
Zareh
I don't understand why the idiotic and poisonous comments? Varuzhan is not naive, he knows Armenian reality very well. So, all of you venomous people who are hoping and waiting for him to fail, he is going to disappoint you. So, keep your petty poisonous comments to yourselves.
Sargis
Inch e minch ays Varujhan@ urish Varushanner che eghel, eghel en iharke, isk Ur en nranq hima. Bolors gitenq ur en. Kartsum em Arterkrum aprogh cankacats hay, uni nuyn cankutyun@ inch vor Varujani cankutyunn e (avelin, kam pakas da eakan che). Ays cankutyunneri amboghjutyun@ Hayastani zargacman hamar hzor potencial e, vori gorcelu anhrazhesht payman@, gone normalin motik karavarutyun unenaln e.
Սամվել
Շնորհակալ եմ Ձեզանից և հպարտ եմ, որ այսպիսի հայեր կան աշխարհում:
Mher
People with a material stake in Armenia, like Varuzhan, are the ones who will hopefully take a real stand against injustice and inequality in all its manifestations. They are the ones who risk to lose their investments, the blood, sweat and tears expended to make their dreams a reality. They will have to daily battle against corrupt tax officials, the lingering Soviet bureaucratic mindset, the monopolies, the clan mentality, and on and on. The voices in the diaspora ranting and raving for positive change in Armenia will fall on deaf ears. People of goodwill with a clear vision of a developing and democratic Armenia must engage the powers that be on a daily basis on the ground, in Armenia. Thus I applaud Varuzhan's decision to return and , like him, regard it as a natural progression in his life's journey rather than some aberration. Enough with the negativity already....The naysayers bring nothing new or constructive to the table. Those presently in power in Armenia will not step aside without a fight.
Ռաֆիկ Սիմոնյան
Հարգելի Վարուժան,ես Ռաֆիկ Սիմոնյանն եմ,ապրում եմ Վայոց Ձոր մարզի Արենի գյուղում,ինքս էլ մասնագիտությամբ հաշվապահ ֆինանսիստ եմ,ու ես էլ եմ այն մարդկանցից ում «խայթել է գինու մեղուն» ,ուղակի ես այն սկսել եմ 1994-ից,ինձ թվում է մենք խոսելու բան կունենանք,իմ հեռախոսը`093 424406
Gohar Muradyan
I strongly value your enormous courage and determination. I'm hoping your desired dream will come true and we'll enjoy your unique wine in your gorgeous vineyards. Good luck to you!!!
hasmik
Armen, ընդամենը դառը ճշմարտությունն եմ ասում, սեփական փորձի վրա
azatamartik
Կեցցես Վարուժան, դու աղն ես, աղ որ համ է տալիս հասարակությանը, այս ախ ու վախերի այս սրտաճմլիկ աղմուկի մեջ, հաճախ տեղին հաճախ մտացածին, դու անում ես քայլ, որի հետևանքները վաղն են երևալու, որի հետևանքները հույսի ու ապագայի սպասելիքների դասեր են: Այս սրտաճմլիկ աղմուկի մեջ ավելի լավ է մի մոմ վառել քան անիծել խավարը: Ես քո կողքին եմ, թերևս շատ բանի անընդունակ, բայց թէ կփորձեն նեղել քեզ, ազատամարտիկ ընկերներով պատրաստ ենք լինել քո կողքին, պայքարել, թեպետ չեմ կարծում թէ դրա կարիքը կլինի, հաջողություն քեզ լավ մարդ
Terterian Grigor
Varuzhan jan astvats ko srtov ta Vstahem kiragortses voghch erazanknerd. Isk menk anhamber kspasenk te erbenk norits hamteselu kam aveli chisht vayelelu ko draghtayin ginin.
Josef Apo
I think Armenia needs such men, because, to say hard true, Armenians are very clever in different areas, but the agriculture sector is for very hard working men and so many Armenians prefer easy money in L.A. or Moscow. It s a pity for Armenia, becuase without developed agriculture this country can not exists.
Ոմն
Բոլա էլի, ախր խի չեք կարում ընդունեք, որ սա մեր հայրենիքնա, մենք էստեղ պիտի ապրենք: Խոչընդոտները մարդիկ են?? ուրեմն թող խոչընդոտվածները միահամուռ պայքարեն, ոչ թե պատրվակների ման գան` երգիրը երգիր չի լոզունգը մեջքին խփած, քաղաքացիական ապաստանի հայցվորի անուննել դոշին խփած մտնի արևմտյան երկրների դեսպանատներ : Ապրեք, արարեք, եղեք միասնական, սկզբունքային, ոչ մեկին մի քցեք, եկածների ոտի տակի հետևից մի ընկեք և նման մարդիկ կմնան այստեղ: Ասածներս վերաբերում են նրանց ` ովքեր մենք բոլորս գիտենք , թե ինչ են անում Հայաստանում:
KARINE
.....կուզենար, որ մարդիկ ժպտային, մռայլ դեմքեր ունենալու փոխարեն, չլինեին չարացած, այլ բարյացակամ ու հանդուրժող .....
Haig
My dream is also to live in Armenia. I want to save the money in US and then move to Armenia permanently. Varuzhan is living my dream.... He is my hero.
Armine Hovhannisyan
Ապրես,ես էլ եմ շնորհավորում քեզ լավ բռնած գործիտ համար ,տա ԱՍՏՎԱԾ բոլոր հայերը օրինակ վերցնեն քեզանից;Շատ ուրախ եմ ձեր ընտանիքի համար;8,11,2012
Andy
Give him few years, than interview him one more time, I bet you will get differant answers, been there than that, as they say new socker is born every day.
Nune
Qez mec hajoxutyunner enq maxtum sireli Varujan ev vstah enq , vor qez mot ameninch stacvelu e
Մլեհ
Մենակ թողնեն այս լաւ մարդը հալալ քրտինքով աշխատի և նորէն արմատաւորուի հայրենի հողին վրայ, Տէ՛ր Աստուած:
Վարազ Սյունի (Ամստերդամ)
Զարմանալու ոչ մի բան չկա: Ես ինքս մտածում եմ (ինչ որ չափո՞վ) վերադառնալ,թեև մեծ պրոբլեմ կա.հարավային Սյունիքում ապրելու մաքուր միջավայր էլ չի մնացել-սաղ հանք ու պոչամբար է: Օտար հողի վրա,իհարկե, երջանկություն ՉԿԱ: Բայց նմանատիպ վերադարձերը պրոցեսի միայն սկիզբն է: Ով խելացի է,հիմա է վերադառնում. 10-15 տարի հետո Հայաստան մասսայական են վերադառնալու (գների բարձրացում): Եվրոպայում/Արևմուտքում հաստատվելու-փող աշխատելու էպոպեան ՎԵՐՋԱՑԵԼ է-կրիզիս: Հիմա Հայաստանի պես երկրներն են հետաքրքիր դառել: Այսօր Հոլանդիայից թուրքերը գաղթում են կենտրոնական Անատոլիա: Ուստի ՇԱՏ կարևոր է,որ կառուցվող պսպղուն ու անիմաստ եկեղեցիների փողով ստեղծվի ՆԵՐԳԱՂԹԻ ՊԵՏԱԿԱՆ ՖՈՆԴ,քանի որ դրսի հայերի մեծ մասը փող չունի ներգաղթի համար: ՀԳ. Չեք ասի հողը ու՞մ անունով գնեց :
Armen Atomts
Bravo ! Varuzhana ya znayu davno ! Ya rad za ego reshenie vernut'sya domoy i sozdovat' blaga na rodnoy zamle ... ya veryu v yego uspekh ! Day bog ,chto b vse armyane v skorom budushhem zhili b i tvorili b na rodnoy armyanskoy zemle... no k sozhaleniyu prav Varuzhan ,otmechaya, chto skudnoe material'noe polozhenie mnogix armyan ne pozvolyayut vernut'sya na rodinu ... Vsex blag vsem armyanam,moim dorogim zemlyakam ,gde b oni ne zhili !!!
Armen
Hasmik, mi lav ban chuneir aselu mardu erazi vra? Inch tesak mard es du?
aram
Dear Varoojan As an American Armenian my hope and desire is for people like you, born and raised in this holiest of the lands, to come back and bring hope through work that is honest, efficient and productive. By the way, there are a handful expats and more to come as well
Anton
I applaud you Varuzhan, for your vision, courage, and determination. I am rooting for you with all my thoughts and prayers, sir. I hope someday I'll have an opportunity to propose a toast in your honor, in your own vineyard of Armenian soil, raising a glass of your own prized wine as high as my humanly hands could soar. How sweet would that be?
Karine
Irok vor Kezzes Varujan. shat chist e asvaz vor zankazoxner shat kan byz xangarum e finnansakan vijak@. yes voxchunum em dzes. dzer nman hayrenaserner shat petk e linen.
Артур
5 лет назад вернулся в Армению из Москвы, полный энтузиазма и патриотизма работать и развивать свою родину, создавать рабочие места и тр. и тп. Создал заводик, вложил кучу денег, энтузиазм постепенно сгорел, патриотизм разрушился об местные реалии, подумываю уехать. Держись мужик пока бабло есть, дальше желаю огромного терпения.
hasmik
հարգելիս, մեկ տարի հետո կխոսենք
Нуне
Варуж джан,аствац кез hет!!!
Vartan Marashlyan
Voghchuneli e vor Varuzhane voroshel e teghapokhvel Hayastan. Menq vorpes RepatArmenia Foundation (www.repatarmenia.org) patrastenq iren amen dzevov ajakcel vorpeszi inqe tshisht dzevov integrvi haykakan hasarakutyan metch ev naev khousapi tipik skhalner gortselouts mer Erkroum ... Ais hodvatsi heghinakits khndreinq apahovel iren kontaktain tvialnere ete kareli e.
Arsen,Armine
Du mer azgy partsamq: bravo
Hovik
Good Luck brother. Dont trust ay one in Armenia. I am only basing it on my own experiance.
haykUS
Good luck. Hope he still will retain his land and business if he becomes successful. Unfortunately current government and president with his mafia brother takes all from most of Armenians who do not have strong backup. Unlike Kocharyan, Serz does not help us to come back and start new businesses. First we need to trust Armenian government and president before coming back. I feel very well in US and feel safe for future and my family. In Armenia I do not feel the same, but I wish I could.
Ani Mouradian (Varuzhan-i dustr)
Shnorhakalutyun Sona Avakyanin ays gexetsik hodvatsi hamar. Yete arten bavakanin vokeshnchox cher ays amen@, kuzem imatsvi vor, vorpes hay yev AMN-i kaxakatsi, yes liyovin hamamit em hayastani potential-in ajaktsoghneri het, amen hartsum. Yes hima sovorum em AMN-i UCLA hamalsaranum, bayts hokov ayttegh em, hayastani dashterum! Vokeshntsvats jhpitov dimavorum em mer yev dzer apagayin. :)
Vartouhi Terterian (Mouradian)
Apres vordis! Orhnvi ko tsenunde. Tere pahi pahpani tarinere iver tseragrats ko erazanki lusashox janaparhe. Du voch miyayn mer erjankutyunes ayl shutov kelines hayreniki hepartutyune. Teren end dzes! God Bless You and Your Family!!!
Marina
Varuzan@ nviryal hay e. Tox vor voch vok chviravori ays gracic. Mer azg@ misht el unecel e ev ahavasik uni lavaguyn gaxaparnerov anhatner. Parzapes xraxusvelu poxaren misht knnadatutyan en arzanacel. Lavaguyn hajoxutyunner em maxtun ayd paylun ev veh gaxaparin. Da shat canr, patasxanatu ev havasarakshir voroshum e. Ardyunaberutyan barcracum, gorcatexeri apahovum, kyanki barelavum aha ays amenn e kangnac Varuzani voroshman etevum. Ayo,zamanakn e vor bolors el mer karoxutyunnern nerdnenk mer yerkri mej. Goveli e nayev der knoj Anahiti ev der erexaneri ajaktyunn@.

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