Cyprus Wine Routes

Laona Akamas

This route is in the north-western part of Cyprus. It is of unique interest, because it is not devoted exclusively to wine. In this area, wine lovers and gourmets can visit four wineries and taste their varied and individualistic wines, in combination with the tasty specialties of Cypriot food.

The Akamas Peninsula is the outstanding feature of this unique wine zone. The diverse characteristics of the Akamas morphology, flora, the wildlife make it a rare habitat.

The route is mainly on the Akamas Peninsula. It is a unique area with a remarkable variety of geology, flora, and wildlife. The relatively untouched environment and the charm of the communities make it a joy for walkers and nature lovers. The area is rich in viniculture, and vast areas are covered with vineyards. Along the route, there are four wineries that are worth visiting.

The area varies in altitude from 400 to 650 metres and has an annual rainfall of about 610 mm. It has a generally mild climate.

Most vineyards on this route are on lime (asbestolithic) ground; some are in loamy-gypsum.

The Kathikas area is famous for its white grape varieties, mainly the native Xynisteri variety. Most of the villages in the area belong to the Appellation Controllée (OEOP) “Laona Akamas”. In all, 19 varieties are cultivated in the area. White varieties: Xynisteri, Malvasia G, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, and Muscat. Red varieties: Mavro, Ofthalmo, Lefkada, Maratheftiko, Carignan, Mataro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Alicante B, Grenache, Shiraz, and Merlot.

Route Vouni Panagias-Ampelitis

The route lies east of Pafos in a mountainous area with relatively high altitudes. The steep slopes are covered by forests and vineyards. The environment creates habitats for a large number of flora, typified by the clusters of oak. The pine forests are mainly in the northeast. The area has many types of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Along this route, visitors will find seven wineries open to them.

The area reaches an altitude of 1,144m (3,753 feet) and enjoys above-average rainfall. It has a relatively mild climate.

The river valley soil has a loamy to clay composition.

Most of the villages in the area belong to the “Vouni Panayias – Ambelitis” Appellation Controlé (OEOP), which boasts 27 grape varieties, including an impressive showing of Carignan Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

White varieties: Xynisteri, Palomino, Malvasia L, Malvasia G, Ugni Blanc, Plant X, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Sultana, Malaga, Muscat of Alexandria. Red varieties: Mavro, Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko, Lefkada, Carignan, Mattaro (Mourvèdre), Oellade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Alicante B, Black Muscat, Grenache, Shiraz, Merlot.

Diarizos Valley

The valley lies west-southwest of Troodos and includes various types of habitats in a relatively small area. The flora and fauna have not yet been fully explored, but so far, a lot of endemic, protected, and other species have been recorded.

The area has a relatively mild climate; it is quite cold in winter and cool in summer.

It is the result of the deposits from the rivers sourced in the Troodos mountains. The Mamonia Belt can be found in this area. This cluster comprises a special and complex tectonic collection of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that dates back to the Middle Triassic and up to the Upper Cretaceous age (230-75 million years ago).

This route does not cross a specific appellation (OEOP) region; nevertheless the wines produced in the area are remarkable. Climbing upwards, you will come across 18 different types of vines, the predominant one being the Mavro. Red varieties include: Mavro, Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko, Lefkada, and Carignan.

Mattaro, Oellade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Alicante B., Grenache, Shiraz, and Merlot. White varieties: Xynisteri, Palomino, Malaga, Chardonnay, Sultana. 

Krasochoria of Lemesos

This beautiful wine region comprises 20 scenic villages that decorate the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains. The wineries scattered along this route, each in its own way generously reward the visitor seeking a unique and eclectic wine experience.

The route takes you through one of the most traditional viniculture areas on the southern face of the Troodos mountains , featuring many winemaking villages and unique flora and fauna. The area’s geology is of international interest, comprising an ophiolite cluster dating back 90 million years from 8,000 metres below sea level.. The geographic and climatic conditions in the area favour the cultivation of two basic indigenous grape varieties: the Mavro and Xynisteri. Along this route, you will find 16 wineries that welcome visitors.

The altitude of the area rises to 1,100 metres; at the higher points, it is cold in winter.

In general, the ground is shallow to somewhat deep, gravelly, has large but smooth gradients. It is ideal for vine growing.

The 20 villages along the route belong to the fourth appellation region (OEOP) where 23 different varietals are cultivated. Red varieties: Mavro, Ofthalmo, Maratheftiko, Carignan, Mataro, Oellade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Alicante B., Grenache, Shiraz, Merlot, Lefkada. White varieties: Xynisteri, Palomino, Malvasia L., Malvasia G., Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillion, Chardonnay, Malaga.

Tradition has it that the island’s unique wine, Commandaria, takes its name from the knights stationed here. Their order, the “Grande Commanderie of the Knights of St. John,” exported the local wine they loved to the royal and religious courts of Europe.

Commandaria

This route belongs to Commandaria, the legendary wine of the region. The 14 villages that produce it are found at an altitude of 500 to 900 metres. They are surrounded by vineyards of indigenous red Mavro and white Xynisteri grapes, which that for centuries have been the backbone of this gorgeous sweet wine. The vines share the landscape with thick, bushy wild growth and sparse woodlands.

Along the route, you will find two significant wineries.

All 14 Commandaria villages are at an altitude of 500 to 900 metres (1640 to 2625 feet) above sea level. The region has two soil types: limestone and volcanic-sandy. Limited rainfall results in very dry growing conditions because the vineyards are not watered. They survive and prosper with the available rainwater. These conditions—high temperature, sunshine, and reduced humidity during summer—combined with the altitude, ground soil, and unique grape processing method, give Commandaria its special flavor and aroma.

In contrast to other wine producing zones, this area has a lot of shallow ground combined with steep slopes and comparatively higher levels of calcium carbonate. In fact, it is quite harsh, and as a result, the vineyards’ crop per hectare is noticeably lower than that of the Pafos region. Vineyards: All the villages along this route belong to the “Commandaria” OEOP appellation. As indicated above, most vineyards cultivate the indigenous grape varieties. Red varieties: Mavro. White varieties: Xynisteri.

The route as the administrative centre, it was known as the “Grande Commanderie,” eventually giving its name to the local wine, the Commandaria. This wine is an appellation product, because its features —the sweetness, unique taste, and special aroma— can only be achieved when certain local criteria are met. First the grapes must come from the completely natural, non-irrigated vineyards on the southern slopes of Troodos. Second the traditional production method must be maintained: harvested grapes are arranged to dry in the sun for five to twenty days, according to weather conditions. Thirdly, after the vinification, an aging process follows an ageing process of at least two years, using the “Mana” method, in which from the large barrel one third of the wine is drawn off for bottling and the remainder is topped up with fresh wine— a variation of the “Solera” system used in the making of sherry and other fortified wines. Commandaria is also fortified with alcohol. Its alcohol-by-volume level is around 15%.

Pitsilia

This route passes through the mountainous area east of the Troodos’ highest peak. This is Pitsilia, a name popular in folk songs. Wine lovers can visit 11 villages, nestled below three prominent mountaintops : Olympus at 1,950 meters (6391 feet), Madari at 1,600 (5249 feet) and Papoutsa at 1,400 (4593 feet), all overlooking Pitsilia’s vineyards. In this rugged landscape, every accessible slope —cultivated as it is— is regarded as a gift from God and the local people have left not an inch unplanted: almond trees, olive groves, walnuts, and apples adorn every street and every yard. But, perhaps, greater interest are the images provided by the expanse of vineyards, with the pine forests in the background. The long-ripening grapes from the highest vineyards in the country are picked and taken to two local winemakers. Pitsilia, one of the most complex mountainous areas of Cyprus, is surrounded by four forests: Troodos in the west, Machairas in the east, “Adelphoi” in the north, and the Limassol forest in the south. It has several high peaks, the main one being Papoutsa, which stands at 1,540 metres (5052 feet). Due to good levels of of rainfall, the area is extremely fertile.

The region has a pleasant moderate climate, with more variation between seasons than elsewhere. In winter, the temperature drops below zero, often with ice and snow at high levels. In summer it is mild, warm, and enjoyable. Spring and autumn seem quite short.

The region is intensely mountainous, but arable lands are harmoniously interspersed with tracts of wild growth and forest. The soil is usually rather grey in color, mild to mid-mechanical composition and with a high level of sand. Vineyards: The region includes 32 villages within the “Pitsilia” OEOP appellation. Apart from the local Mavro and Xynisteri, other 11 grapes are cultivated. Red varieties include: Ofthalmo, Vamvakada (Maratheftiko), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mattaro, Mavro, Shiraz, Lefkada, Yiannoudi. White varieties include: Xynisteri, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malaga. 

Mountainous Larnaka-Lefkosia

This route takes in the rural areas of Larnaka and Lefkosia, making its way through ten villages, and including three wineries, small museums, and workshops. Even though it is outside the traditional wine regions, active winemakers here who have planted vineyards with the Assyrtiko, Malvasia Aromatica, Chardonnay, and Maratheftiko grape varieties. The route also includes a visit to the well-known village of Lefkara, popular for its lace and silverware, as well as Fikardou, where you can see one of the oldest traditional wine presses in Cyprus.

The geology of this area is quite interesting, combining the limestone and ophiolite rocks (ancient rocks from the sea-bed, forced upwards above sea level). A large portion of the Lefkara range is of limestone, with a landscape of steep slopes and deep ravines, into which rainwater tumbles The route passes through the Machairas forest , which covers part of both Lefkosia and Larnaka districts; its an altitude ranging from 300 metres (984 feet) to the 1,423 metres (4668 feet) at Kionia peak. Geologically, the area belongs to the Troodos ophiolithic complexand covers a forested area of igneous rocks.

Mild climate with very low humidity levels. Terroir combines limestone with ophiolithic rocks within a range of 100-1,400 metres.