Press and Gallery
When Wine becomes crucial to cultural identity
An article in the New York Times highlights the significance of wine’s impact on defining nationhood. Announced here is "Somm: Cup of Salvation" and release soon. A captivating new documentary exploring the profound role of wine in the cultural identities of Armenia and Iran. Eric Asimov writes “ Throughout history, authoritarians have sought to suppress cultural expressions that deviate from the party line, whether books, film, music, religion or wine. It is no less true in our own times.”
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‘Cup of Salvation’ Trailer Traces Father-Daughter Journey to Reclaim Armenian Winemaking (Exclusive)
An article earned a featured spot in the Hollywood Reporter, celebrating its achievements in Armenian winemaking, with the cinematic journey that follows Vahe and Aimee Keushguerian as they embark on a captivating quest to revive the essence of Armenian winemaking. But this story of a family reviving the ancient grapes of their homeland is not just a harrowing tail of navigating culture, power, and land in the name of wine. It is also a look at wine’s origins and how it continues to shape the fabric of human existence.
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‘Somm’ Series Debuts Fourth Documentary, ‘Cup Of Salvation’
An article by Liza B. Zimmerman recently captured the spotlight on Forbes, delving into the enthralling world of winemaking in Armenia and its neighboring countries. Highlighting "Cup of Salvation" film and "The Iranian Revival," this feature explores the groundbreaking Somm series of films, shedding light on the fascinating journey of turning Iranian grapes into wine with modern techniques for the very first time.
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The Film Somm: Cup Of Salvation Tells The Story Of First Iranian Wine In 43 Years
In a recent Forbes feature by Hudson Lindenberger, the spotlight shines on the film "Somm: Cup of Salvation." This compelling documentary tells the captivating story of the first Iranian wine production in over four decades, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of this remarkable endeavor. Lindenberger's article provides valuable insights into the film's narrative and the wine industry's revival in Iran, making it a must-read for those interested in the intersection of culture, history, and wine.
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‘Somm’ Director on Why His New Wine Doc Is Really a “Geopolitical Thriller”
An article in the The Hollywood Reporter highlights how 'Somm: Cup of Salvation' took a dramatic pivot during filming and documents a covert trip to Iran to harvest grapes from vineyards that date back thousands of years and haven't been made into wine since the country banned alcohol in 1979. Ashley Cullins writes “During the course of filming, Vahe went on a quest to Iran to find out what happened to vineyards of Rasheh grapes after the country banned alcohol in 1979. Without spoiling too much, the Argo-esque mission was, ahem, fruitful — and they’ve made the first wine from Iranian grapes in nearly 50 years under their Molana label.”
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‘The world’s most dangerous wine’: Smuggled grapes from Iran and an Armenian vintner’s daring dream
In a recent Los angeles Times feature by Ani Duzdabanyan, the spotlight shines on Vahe Keushguerian, the winemaker who created a simple yet unbreakable bond between man and land against all odds of incompatibility. “Keushguerian faced not just the incompatibility of nature versus man but the incompatibility of history and politics between land and man. His quest to save long-suppressed winemaking traditions in Iran, a country where alcohol has been banned since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, became real when filmmaker Jason Wise decided to focus his documentary lens on Keushguerian’s dream project.”
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The Indiana Jones of Wine
SOMM Films brings wine enthusiasts an engaging Apple Podcast, featuring Jason Wise and the central figure in "Cup of Salvation," Vahe Keushgeurian. Thanks to his remarkable achievements in the film, Forbes has bestowed upon him the title of "The Indiana Jones of Wine." This podcast provides an exclusive glimpse into Vahe's journey, both before and after the events depicted in the film. For those eager to catch "Cup of Salvation" on the big screen, you can find screening dates and purchase tickets at sommfilms.com.
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Iranian winemaking in exile
In a recent Jancis Robinson feature by Tamlyn Currin, highlight Molana wines as the first modern, commercial Iranian wine in more than 40 years, on screen and in bottle now. Above, Vahe Keushguerian looks out over Sardasht in north-western Iran. Currin describes Vahe Keushguerian as “...an engineer, a businessman and more than a little cynical. But he is also a dreamer with a passion for culture, particularly that of his homeland and the wider region.”
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Wine for a War-Torn World
In a recent Santa Barbara Independent feature by Matt Kettmann the spotlight shines on wine for a War-Torn World. Instead, he bought the rasheh grapes, hired a refrigerated truck, and had the grapes driven across the border into Armenia right to his winery. With his daughter, Aimee, he crafted Molana, whose label touts “Iranian Winemaking in Exile.” Especially given the challenges, the wine is remarkable: lightly bodied yet engaging with acidity and texture, offering crisp red fruit and delicate spice notes.
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