Presenting 6 of Cyprus’ biggest wineries

While countless international visitors flock to the island’s golden shores in search of picture-perfect beauty, the country’s rugged interior is just as impressive, luring travellers with an authentic rural charm. Hit winding countryside roads off the beaten track to discover the sun-kissed slopes of the Troodos Mountains covered in rambling vineyards, where passionate winemakers continue a tremendous legacy dating back over 6,000 years.

In a country famed as one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, over 40 wineries in hillside villages keep traditional practices alive while paving the way for exciting changes and innovation. Focusing on indigenous grape varieties – Xynisteri, Spourtiko, Maratheftiko and Yiannoudi – and modern techniques, they contribute to a diverse range of wines that capture the essence of the island’s unique terroir. In every glass, the modern Cyprus wine scene beautifully merges tradition with innovation, offering a delightful blend of history and novelty for discerning palates to savour. Here, we present four of the island’s finest boutique wineries that deserve a place on every oenophile’s bucket list.

Zambartas Wineries, Agios Amvrosios

Perched on the captivating southern slopes of the Troodos mountains, Zambartas Wineries stand out for their exceptional wines that embody the vibrant essence of Cyprus.

A true testament to family values, the Zambartas journey commenced when Akis Zambartas, the first university-educated oenologist of Cyprus, returned to his roots and embarked on a successful career at one of the island's leading wineries. In 2006, he followed his dream and established his own boutique winery in Agios Amvrosios, focused on making quality wine from indigenous varieties that thrive in the region’s dry, chalky soils.

Carrying forward the rich legacy, his son Marcos and his daughter-in-law Marlene have elevated Cyprus's wine industry to global heights with their acclaimed award-winning wines. Their international recognition includes a gold medal at the International Rosé Championship 2019, silver and bronze medals at numerous Decanter World Wine Awards, and many more. At Zambartas, a harmonious coexistence with nature is of paramount importance. This is reflected in the winery’s vineyard practices, which are entirely organic, and its circular production methods. The dedicated team manages over 13 hectares of vineyards, producing over 120,000 bottles a year. The winery has also gained recognition for its innovative ‘Single Vineyard’ range, a testament to its commitment to sustainability and quality.

Must try: Zambartas Rosé, a wine lover’s favourite, with an intensively aromatic bouquet of small red fruits, pomegranate and roses, and a luscious flavour with a long aftertaste. Enjoy it as an apéritif or with contemporary Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.

Did you know? Zambartas Melusine Commandaria pays homage to one of the oldest named wines still in production and offers a contemporary taste of a mythical past, matured for ten years in oak barrels before bottling. It was awarded 92 points and a Silver Medal at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Tsiakkas Winery, Pelendri

Commanding a stunning and dramatic elevated location just outside Pelendri, east of Mount Olympus in the Pitsilia region, Tsiakkas Winery is well known for its fine wines and dedication to innovation.

Established in the late 1980s as a modern startup by newlywed couple Kostas and Marina Tsiakkas, the winery began its journey by producing 500 bottles of red wine named Thyrsos. Driven by a deep respect for the legacy of Kostas’ grandfather – a visionary winemaker and merchant who crafted wine from his home basement – the couple embarked on a journey to revive forgotten native varieties and blend them with modern winemaking practices.

Their efforts were not in vain. Tsiakkas Winery's dedication to the revival of forgotten varieties like Yiannoudi and Promara, as well as their innovative approach to well-established varieties like Xynisteri and Vamvakada, soon garnered international attention. Over time, the winery has been honoured with numerous awards from highly respected international critics and competitions, including the prestigious Texsom International Wine Awards and the Decanter World Wine Awards. Today, the winery continues to drive innovation while upholding its dedication to value and quality. It has expanded to over 18 hectares of vineyards, now producing approximately 200,000 bottles a year. The family business is currently transitioning into its second generation, with renewed dedication to its craft.

Must try: Tsiakkas Xynisteri, with aromas of nectarine, lime, grapefruit and honey. It is best paired with green vegetables, poultry and seafood.

Did you know? While exploring Cypriot vineyards, you’ll often see hares, hedgehogs and foxes darting gracefully amidst the vines. Whimsical illustrations of these animals add to the charm of the most recent Tsiakkas editions, adorning meticulously crafted labels where every bottle tells a story.

Vasilikon Winery, Kathikas

Leave the scenic splendour of Limassol's winemaking district behind and you’ll soon find yourself drawn to the allure of Paphos, promising a tapestry of oenophilic delights.

And it is here, in the pretty village of Kathikas (a village famed for its winemaking tradition) that Vasilikon Winery produces some of the most sought-after Paphos regional wines, including the award-winning Vasilikon Xynisteri and Agios Onoufrios. Established in the early 1990s by brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides, Vasilikon Winery is committed to producing estate-grown wines of the highest calibre and distinction across 16 hectares of vineyards.

The winery now produces 350,000 bottles annually and attributes the quality of its wine to the excellent grapes of the Kathikas and Akamas Laona areas, alongside the knowledge, care and dedication that’s poured into every bottle on its technologically advanced premises. Vasilikon Winery has been honoured with medals at various Decanter World Wine Awards, the Thessaloniki International Competition, Les Citadelles du Vin and more.

Must try: Agios Onoufrios, regarded by oenophiles as one of Vasilikon Winery’s top wines. This red dry wine is made from international and indigenous grape varieties and is characterized by a deep purple colour, vivid aroma, fruity taste and long aromatic aftertaste.

Did you know? In 2018, Vasilikon Winery produced its first dry wine with a Protected Designation of Origin (Laona Akamas). Vasilikon Xynisteri is vinified from the namesake indigenous Xynisteri variety picked in Kathikas vineyards and is characterised by its green-yellow crystal clear colour, fruity aroma, fresh and balanced taste and dominant long aftertaste.

Vlassides Winery, Koloni

Located in the heart of Koloni and buried deep into a hill just outside the village of Koilani, the contemporary Vlassides Winery slowly comes into view as it follows the contours of the land.

The modern, clean-cut lines blend in with the undulating rural landscape in a stunning eight-hectare plot surrounded by vineyards. Within this cutting-edge Bauhaus-inspired winery, a team of dedicated winemakers produces some of the country’s most famous reds, whites and rosés. At the forefront, founder and winemaker Sophocles Vlassides stands as the visionary behind the exquisite wines that embody Cyprus' unique characteristics, specific microclimate and terroir. His journey was sparked by his grandfather, a wine and zivania maker, and his father, an experimental vineyard replanter. This rich family history and passion for winemaking continue to inspire the Vlassides legacy.

Sophocles Vlassides' dream of establishing his own winery became a reality in 2003. Fuelled by inspiration and a thirst for innovation, he transformed the composition of long-standing family vineyards. Through the introduction of new experimental and non-experimental varieties and the implementation of novel methods, he set new standards in winemaking, ensuring that each bottle from Vlassides Winery is a testament to quality and innovation.

Today, the winery takes pride in focusing on developing a healthy environment for every variety. Vlassides manages 21 hectares of vineyards with international and indigenous varieties and has an overall production capacity of 200,000 bottles per year. Vlassides wines have received numerous medals at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, the Decanter World Wine Awards, the Thessaloniki International Competition and many more.

Must try: The Vlassides Shiraz, one of Cyprus’ favourite rich reds with soft tannins, honoured with Bronze medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 and 2018.

Did you know? The Koilani microclimate helps to mature grapes perfectly. The sandy clay soil on top of a calcareous bedrock allows the plants to preserve a sufficient level of moisture. The ground is poor in organic matter and inorganic nutrients, which gives balanced plant growth.

Oenou Yi Winery, Omodos

Nestled within the high peaks of the Troodos mountains, the village of Omodos is proud of its lush vineyards and picturesque, hospitable nature.

Recognising the land’s potential, lawyer and winemaker Christodoulos G. Vassiliades founded the Oenou Yi Winery in 2017, with the ultimate aim of producing fine wines for discerning domestic and international connoisseurs. The winery is dedicated to preserving Omodos' rich winemaking tradition, fully harnessing the area's unique altitude, which significantly enhances vineyard development. With the terroir of Omodos as its ally, Oenou Yi prioritises native Cypriot grape varieties such as Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and Giannoudi, while also cultivating well-known international varieties like Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Today, on the vineyard-dominated slopes rising to the peaks of Laona at 800 metres and Afamis at 1,060 metres, Oenou Yi Winery keeps the Mediterranean vineyard tradition alive through a harmonious blend of advanced technology, nature and dedicated craftsmanship. The area's rich natural features, including the rocky soil of Omodos, bestow the much sought-after mineral notes found in Oenou Yi's wines, ensuring a consistent quality that reflects the dedication of its winemakers and oenologists to the region’s wine culture.

Must try: Playiá White Dry, the result of a special blend of the indigenous varieties Xynisteri and Malaga. Its palate is full, pleasant, balanced and velvety, resulting in a long refreshing aftertaste.

Did you know? Vine cultivation and wine production have always been the primary occupation of the inhabitants of Omodos. Proof of this is the village’s medieval wine press, which is mentioned in documents dating from 1469.

Marathasa Wines, Kalopanayiotis

The steep mountainsides surrounding the Marathasa Valley have been covered in vines for centuries. In 2014, John Papadouris, the grandson of a wine merchant, decided to revive the valley's wine heritage.

Having spent most of his life working in construction, Papadouris used his skills to acquire abandoned vineyards, cutting terraces and constructing a winery close to the village of Kalopanayiotis. It marked the beginning of today’s Marathasa Wines, which is overseen by John’s daughter Alexa, her husband Andrew and cousin Stavros. Viticulturist and winemaker Viktoras Finopoulos, who has made wine in Portugal, France and New Zealand, is behind the winery’s exceptional products. Marathasa Wines grows the indigenous Xynisteri grape variety and the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the local Promara and Greek Moschofilero and Assyrtiko varieties. The indigenous Yiannoudi, and Zinfandel, Grenache and Mattaro (Mourvèdre) have also been planted, while its main international red is Syrah.

In 2022, the US$6 million Lampadistis Wine Distillery, designed by the architectural firm of Eraclis Papachristou, won the State Architecture Award as Outstanding Architectural Project, thanks to its harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary design. In addition to its wine production facilities, its premises also include a high-end restaurant, a conference centre and spaces for hosting wine tastings and other private events.

Must try: The limited edition, Amarantos, Yiannoudi 2021 wine, which boasts aromas of perfumed violets, bramble, black plum and ripe mulberry, all seasoned with black pepper, sweet spice, dried herbs and a hint of mint. The Amarantos wine scored 95 points at the International Wine and Spirit competition in 2023.

Did you know? A local name for the Marathasa Valley is Myrianthousa, meaning “a multitude of flowers”. This rich floral tapestry weaves its way into the vines, yielding wines with delicious aromas of the Cypriot countryside.

This article was first published in the first edition of MHV Group’s special publication MHV Moments. To view it, click here. To read the entire publication, click here.