Goghtanik Village is situated in  the  mountainous  Vayots Dzor  Region, 151 km South from Yerevan. The village is famous for its traditions of goat breeding and goat cheese production.

   Within   the    framework    of    Goat    Breeding    Project,    initiated    and implemented by USDA Marketing Assistance Project (MAP), high quality Saanen, Nubian, Togenberg and Alpine dairy goat breeds were imported from the US in 2000.

   Goghtanik  Village  was  selected  for  project  implementation  where  18 local farmers established Golden Goat Consumers’ Cooperative. The Cooperative does not have a permanent staff. The president of the Cooperative Arayik Grigoryan is in charge of the successful implementation of the Goat Breeding Project aimed to improve the quality of dairy herds in the region.

   During one year of operation Golden Goat has increased the number  of goats by carrying out artificial insemination of American and local goat crossbreeds.

   Later   Golden   Goat   Plus   LLC   was   established   to   initiate   cheese production in the village. The company is specialized in the production of unique goat Yeghegnadzor (buried) cheese. This cheese is made from goat milk produced in Goghtanik Goat Breeding Center. The milk is pasteurized and checked at the lab. Rennet is added to the milk for producing curds that is put into the molds and drained for 3-4 hours. The cheese is put in the 12 % brine. After 40 days the cheese is crumbled, spiced and filled into clay pots. Clay pots are buried under ground for 2 months to mature. The shelf life is 6-8 months with storing temperature of 8-10 °C.

   Clay pots of 750 g and 400 g with goat symbols are used for  packaging. Nicely developed labels and booklets add attractiveness to the product. For distribution twelve-clay pot cardboard boxes with the logo, “Love me, love my goats” are used.