The fine art of winemaking under extraordinary conditions

From March 16, one of the leading companies in the field, the “Armenia Wine” winery, started working under a special regime.

“Armenia Wine” company, considering the preservation of public health and the safety and well-being of employees as a priority issue, and at the same time being committed to the fulfillment of its obligations to local and foreign partner structures, as well as in order to ensure the continuity of the production process, has organized work in a special mode under emergency conditions. “Our challenge at this moment is to combine all efforts to solve the super-problem of employee health care and to ensure uninterrupted production processes,” says the director of “Armenia Wine” company Marine Melkonyan.

Most of the company’s office employees have switched to remote work, however, the nature and characteristics of the company’s activities pose additional problems. In the departments whose work cannot be stopped, for example, the quality control laboratory, maintenance departments, etc., have switched to shift mode, reducing contact and interaction with each other.

Due to the stages of production, the brandy distillation process is currently underway, the period of which cannot be postponed, and it will continue until mid-April. At the same time, the aging of brandy spirit must be carried out, and the bottling of wine, which is delivered to local and foreign markets, is also underway. Part of the company’s work is also carried out in nature, in the vineyards. At this stage, till the end of May, planting, pruning, etc. are carried out in the organic gardens.

In the case of production works, when it is not possible to fully apply the shift mode, special conditions are created and additional sanitary control is defined. Although international sanitary and hygienic standards are constantly implemented in the production facilities of the winery, which are confirmed by relevant certificates, still, due to the risk of coronavirus infection, special measures are taken. All employees are instructed not to report to work if they have a temperature higher than normal, a cold, or other symptoms typical of a coronavirus infection and to contact an appropriate medical facility. People over the age of 60 or with chronic diseases are also not allowed to work.

At the beginning of the working day, the body temperature of all employees is compulsorily measured, personal protective equipment is distributed: gloves, masks, as well as other disinfectants. Due to safety reasons, the factory premises and all vehicles of the automobile industry carrying out deliveries are regularly disinfected.

During the day, sanitary visits are also made, and in case of the first signs of temperature rise, feeling of weakness or deterioration of well-being, the employees are referred to the community medical facility.

Sanitary control during rest and breaks is also provided. It has been instructed to maintain “social distance”, It is temporarily forbidden to gather in groups of more than three people, even the lunch break is organized so that employees sit as far away from each other as possible. In order to limit unauthorized side access, a decision was also made temporarily, until March 23, not to organize tours-excursions for tourists and guests, the “Nazani” restaurant located in the factory area will also not operate.

“Of course, organizing work in this mode is not an easy task, but ensuring uninterrupted production process and preserving the result of years of work (aging brandy and wine, etc.) is our professional challenge. The company is one of the leading producers and exporters of wine and cognac in Armenia, and the long-term nature of our international partnership forces us to be more responsible and organized. … Wine requires constant care and attention from a production point of view. And at the end of the day, I am sure that a glass of “Armenia Wine” wine will raise your mood and resistance, which is so important these days…”, said Christine Vardanyan, Commercial Director of “Armenia Wine”.

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