I am literally writing this Cyprus wine guide from a beach restaurant whilst drinking some Cypriot wine. My second trip to the island is coming to an end, and I figured there’s no better place to start writing about the local wine and share some of my favorite Cyprus wineries with you.
As you may know, I love wine, and I love to travel. So, writing about wine whenever I visit a wine destination is an absolute must.
In the past I have covered Austrian wine in Vienna, Moravian wine and even wine/food tastings in Rome. With Cyprus being home to the world’s oldest wine (or so I’ve been told), I couldn’t do any less whilst here.
Therefore, I have drank my way through all the amazing wines from Cyprus, and visited several of the island’s wineries – all for you. Trust me, the research was hard.
Table of Contents
Quick Cyprus Travel Guide
Must-know before you go: Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean, and a republic in its own right. However, the island is split in two, with the north-eastern part of it being de facto under Turkish rule, as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This is technically only recognised by Turkey, but is worth being aware of. The tourist destinations of Cyprus are all in the southern part, where they speak Greek (all though a Cypriot dialect that I have been told is not too similar to mainland Greek).
Where to stay: There are several popular tourist hot spots in Cyprus, with Aiya Napa being the top of the list for those wanting a busy trip filled with great restaurants, bars and night clubs. If you want to stay somewhere more quiet, consider Protaras just a 10-minute drive away. It’s more family friendly and much quieter. Another popular area, a little closer to the airport and Larnaca (the third largest city and where the airport is) is Limassol.
Top activities and tours in Cyprus:
- Food & Wine Tour to the Troodos Mountains ($123)
- Diving (guided dive for certified divers is $70 and discover scuba diving for beginners is $92)
- “Aphrodite” Cruise to the Blue Lagoon ($28)
- Adults-only Yacht Around the Island ($33)
- Wine Tasting & Winery Visit ($112)
Packing for Cyprus: Cyprus in the summer can get very hot, so make sure you are all set with sun screen, flip flops and light, airy clothing. My resort packing list will be helpful to check out before your trip! In the shoulder season and winter evenings can get chilly, so long trousers and a cardigan will be your friend. Check out year-round temperatures in Cyprus here.
Airport transfers: Many package holiday providers will include hotel transportation in the package price, so make sure you double check this when you book. If the transfer is not included, you can easily book your airport transfer in advance here.
Cyprus Wine: The Basics
For those that want to know, the white wine served as I wrote this article was called Playiá Oenou Yi from Omodos, and you can read more about it here. My actual setup whilst writing this is in the photo below. What a life, right?
Cyprus boasts a rich winemaking history dating back to Roman times, with archaeological finds of wine jugs dating back an impressive 6000 years. The sweet wine of Cyprus is even mentioned by Homer in the Odyssey!
The island boasts several unique grape varieties, most notably the red Mavro and the white Xynisteri (35% of wineries have this planted). Additionally, you’ll find the following Cypriot grape varieties across the island:
Whites:
- Xynisteri
- Promara
- Spurtiko
- Lefkada
Reds:
- Mavro
- Yiannudi
- Ofthalmo
- Maratheftiko (most wineries keep this for their premium wines as it requires more work – obviously it was my favorite)
Of course, other varieties have been introduced as well, and you’ll find “well known” grapes such as Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz on the island. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of Shiraz blends on the house wine lists across the island during this visit.
Visitors can explore numerous wineries scattered across the island, offering a taste of Cyprus’s diverse wine culture. Additionally, restaurants in popular tourist towns often organize wine tastings, providing a delightful opportunity to savor the local flavors.
During my trip to Cyprus I both visited wineries in the Troodos mountains, and went on a local wine tasting in Protaras near our hotel (this one, to be exact).
Good to know: when ordering a glass of wine at restaurants or beach bars in Cyprus, you will often be offered what they call “aviation bottles”. I was confused at what this meant at first, but quickly understood that it means small bottles of wine – like the ones served onboard airplanes (hence the “aviation”).
Commandaria / Kommandaria
Before we move on to the wineries I recommend you visit whilst in Cyprus, we have to touch on Commandaria.
Commandaria is a historic and revered sweet dessert wine, recognized as one of the oldest named wines in the world! It boasts a rich, deep flavor profile with hints of caramel, dried fruits, and spices. Commandaria is known for its high sugar content and smooth, velvety texture, making it a popular choice to accompany desserts or enjoyed on its own as a luxurious treat.
We got to try it at most of the wineries we visited, and all though I’m not a huge fan of ice wine or dessert wine, I did quite enjoy it! It is a protected product, like Champagne, and it has to come from one of 14 specific villages in the mountains of Cyprus.
Zivania
Like in many Mediterranean “wine cultures” (here’s looking at your grappa, Italy), Cyprus also has their own variety of hard liquor that’s closely tied to winemaking.
Once wine is made, many wineries (in fact, all of the ones I visited did this) distill the leftover skins, making a very strong alcoholic drink called Zivania. Zivana is Cypriot and means skins. The drink is about 45% alcohol (90 proof).
On the tour I went on we were served this at the end of each tasting, and you cannot believe how much we enjoyed our lunch that day, haha.
3 Must-Visit Cyprus Wineries
During my stay in Cyprus, I joined a tour to visit some wineries in the beautiful Troodos Mountain region. It was a super fun and informative day, and I learned a lot! I also enjoyed getting to know some other travelers, since I was joining the tour on my own.
During the tour, some wineries really stood out to me, and I wanted to highlight them below. One of them (Ayia Mavri) I did not get the chance to visit, but was told by several locals had the best Commandaria in Cyprus. So, for obvious reasons I included it here!
Zambartas Winery
Zambartas quickly became my favorite as they specialise in dry wine (if you know me at all, you’ll know that my favorite whites are super dry). It is a family winery, where several generations of the Zambartas family contribute.
Their best wines are single vineyard wines and they make about 120k bottles a year.
If have to say that the one thing that stood out at Zambartas was the view from their tasting venue. The outdoor patio was perfect after a long day of wine tasting, as we sat in the shade and took in the view of the mountains.
Ayia Mavri Winery
This is where I was told they make the best Commandaria in Cyprus, and that’s my main reason for including it on the list. If you are curious about trying Commandaria, head to Agia Mavri.
Let me take you on a little journey into the world of Agia/Ayia Mavri winery, which kicked off back in 1983 thanks to a dad and grandpa dreaming big about having their own vineyards. They produce about 50,000 bottles of wine each year. Not too shabby, right? And the vineyards altitude at 900 meters above sea level makes for high quality grapes (and wine).
Antoniades Winery
Antoniades is a family winery in Mandria village, located at 1000 meters above sea level. They produce 30-40k bottles annually in quite an interesting way. They don’t use a press/pressing machine, but make their wine with a “free run” method, making it extra special.
When I visited we got a tour by the owner, Marios, showcasing their wines. They use local grape varieties, make sparkling wine from xynistera grapes, and their Kommandaria is referred to as Nama.
They had a truly lovely porch overlooking the trees and woodlands around the winery, where I easily could have spent hours tasting wine and relaxing in the Cypriot nature.
Wine Tasting in Cyprus
Wine tasting in Cyprus offers a delightful experience for both wine connoisseurs and novices alike. The island, known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, is becoming increasingly popular among wine enthusiasts.
Visitors can indulge in various wine tours that cater to different preferences. From quick tastings in Aiya Napa to full-day excursions to the wineries nestled in the Troodos mountains, there is something for everyone.
The tours not only showcase the diverse selection of wines produced on the island but also provide insights into the winemaking process and the local culture. Whether you are looking to savor exquisite wines or simply enjoy a leisurely day surrounded by picturesque vineyards, wine tasting in Cyprus promises a memorable journey through its unique terroir and flavors.
Browse some of the most popular wine tastings in Cyprus below!