 Wine
production in Cyprus started around 2000 B.C. and soon
wines from Cyprus became famous and beloved. Ancient writers
have praised the quality as well as the abundance of the
grapes.
This mosaic from Pafos shows Dionysos enjoying the hospitality
of Ikarios after he taught him the art of making wine. |
In the Middle
Ages Cyprus was divided in feuds (commandarias) by the
knights Templar and the Knights of St. John, who bought
Cyprus from Richard the Lionheart in 1191. They concluded
that the best wine in Europe came from Cyprus and they
called it Commandaria. Commandaria, like all ancient wines
that needed preservation, is a sweet wine and is generally
acknowledged as the oldest wine in the world. |
 |
 In
the early 1980's the government encouraged small enterprises
to establish and operate wineries in the hill villages
of the grape growing regions. The very first one was the
Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery in the Pafos district, near
Panagia - the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios. Today
there are over 20 regional wineries, each with their own
specialities. Most of them are family run and a real pleasure
to visit. You can try the wines, eat some olives and meet
the people that work hard all year round to produce the
best wines of Cyprus. |
WINERIES OF CYPRUS - WINE TOURS
- Lemessos is the heart of Cyprus' wine production.
The four largest wine producers are within walking
distance starting from the Old Port. A short drive
will take you to the Kolossi Castle where Commandaria
got its name from the Templar Knights and Erimi where
a museum completely devoted to the history of wine
making.
- Take the Troodos road (B8) into the Troodos Mountains
to visit the Pytsilia Winery (near Pelendri) or the
Ayia Mavri Winery in koilani
- The E601 from Erimi and Kantou that leads to Omodos
passes the Ayio Ambrosios Winery, take detour to the
Arsos Winery and follow the old road to Omodos where
3 more wineries await you
- In the Pafos district you'll find famous wineries
in Kathikas - Sterna and K and K Vasilikon, the winery
at Vouni - Panagia and the Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery
and the Nelion Winery in Praetori - Ayios Nikolaos
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