What six months in Armenia revealed to this photography duo

· May 11, 2026

In this landlocked country in the South Caucasus, the culinary culture and winemaking traditions are rooted in the land and shaped by a millennia-old history.

An elderly, moustached farmer posing for a portrait on a rocky mountain plateau with a sheep herd grazing in the background.

Armenia’s dining culture is shaped by its agricultural heritage of high-altitude farming.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

Story and photographs byBernd Jungbauer and Jessica Jungbauer

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

A market stall set up with jars of different pickles and bowls of more pickled vegetables in the foreground on multiple levels. — Armenia’s proud national identity is vividly reflected in its cuisine. Lavash, a thin flatbread included on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is traditionally…

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

A local woman sat in front of a round, wooden table, shaping a flatbread that's doused in flour, and leaning her head back laughing. — Armenia’s proud national identity is vividly reflected in its cuisine. Lavash, a thin flatbread included on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, is traditionally…

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

The interior of a medieval, stone church, with two elderly women sitting on a wooden bench in the front next to a towering pillar, looking at a candle-lit altar. — Gata is another popular bread; it’s sold sweet and decorated outside medieval Geghard Monastery in Kotayk province.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

A plate of shredded pasta with an herby tarragon sauce on a traditional table clothed table outside. — Gata is another popular bread; it’s sold sweet and decorated outside medieval Geghard Monastery in Kotayk province.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

A farmer's truck parked on a field with rolling hills in the background, carrying a load of hay balls. — The intense flavours of the seasonal produce are shaped by the country’s high-altitude landscape, which bursts into vibrant shades of green during summer.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

A tiled and domed mosque peeking through the green leaves of a lush garden. — Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 CE, but cross-cultural influences are visible in landmarks such as the 18th-century Blue Mosque in Yerevan.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

A wide landscape shot of a flat vineyard in summer with a snow-capped mountain in the background. — The country’s winemaking has ancient roots, too, dating back over 6,000 years, with the world’s oldest winery found in Areni province.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

A wheel of cheese wrapped in dried vine leaves. — Armenia’s first artisan cheese producer, Mikayelyan Family Farm, wraps cow’s cheese in vine leaves, celebrating the country’s connection to viticulture.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

A hand with manicured nails holding up a glass of unfiltered orange wine against a plain wall. — Armenia’s first artisan cheese producer, Mikayelyan Family Farm, wraps cow’s cheese in vine leaves, celebrating the country’s connection to viticulture.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

A middle-aged woman wearing a simple chef apron in a dark, rustic kitchen, pulling pasta by hand and hanging them up on a rod behind her to dry. — Restaurants also blend tradition with innovation: fettuccine-like arishta noodles are still beaten by hand at Tsaghkunk Restaurant & Glkhatun.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer

Sliced and roasted turkey breast served alongside grains and two sauces in a cast iron pan. — Known for their generous hospitality, Armenians typically raise a toast to family, friends and good health when sharing a meal. And, while the country respects traditio…

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

The statue of a woman holding a sword sideways in her hands. — Known for their generous hospitality, Armenians typically raise a toast to family, friends and good health when sharing a meal. And, while the country respects traditio…

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

A person holding up a wooden charcuterie board with feathered out cheese slices, cured meats crisps and fruit. — A new generation of chefs, producers and winemakers is honouring Armenia’s heritage while bringing it into the future — from modern coffeeshops, like Afrolab in Yerevan, to cultural institutions such as the Wine History Museum of Armenia in Sasunik village.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

A stone building with a flat facade and three arched entrances looking out on a plaza — A new generation of chefs, producers and winemakers is honouring Armenia’s heritage while bringing it into the future — from modern coffeeshops, like Afrolab in Yerevan, to cultural institutions such as the Wine History Museum of Armenia in Sasunik village.

Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Top) and Jessica & Bernd Jungbauer (Bottom)

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