The Omodos Wine Press, also known as Linos tou Charilaou, is a remarkably well‑preserved medieval wine press tucked away in the cobbled streets of Omodos, a wine‑growing village in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus. Just a short walk from the historic Timios Stavros Monastery, it occupies a small stone room that today serves as a tiny museum of traditional winemaking. Inside, visitors find vats, cauldrons, and tools that evoke centuries of rural life. According to accounts from the current owner, the site has been used for winemaking for roughly 700–800 years, making it one of the oldest surviving installations of its kind on the island. At the heart of the room is the spectacular press itself: an enormous double wooden beam that spans the space, ending in a massive wooden screw weighted by a heavy stone. In its working days, grapes were heaped into a large tray under the beam, then covered with sturdy planks. Two workers would turn the screw, raising the stone so that the beam dropped and squeezed the grapes with immense force. The juice ran into partially buried clay or stone vats, which were sealed to ferment and protect the must from spoilage. Although wineries in […]

Antoniades Winery is a small, family-run estate tucked into the Krasochoria wine villages above Mandria on the slopes of Afames mountain. Founded as a commercial winery in 1994 by Marios Antoniades—a trained wine chemist—the estate continues a family winemaking tradition that the owners date back to the 18th century; the winery blends modern cellar practices with traditional methods (including the historic pithari jars) to produce wines that reflect the high-altitude Troodos terroir Antoniades Winery, Wineries Cyprus. Visitors praise Antoniades for its warm hospitality, personal tours, and a tasting selection that ranges from crisp Xynisteri whites to robust local reds and a noteworthy Commandaria-style sweet wine (often mentioned as “Nama”) that many guests highlight as a must-try. The winery owns modest vineyard acreage and focuses on small-batch production and authentic, terroir-driven expressions; tastings and informal tours are regularly available but it’s a good idea to call ahead.

Shoufas Winery is a family-owned winery located in the charming village of Koilineia (also known as Kilinia), situated in the Paphos region of Cyprus, approximately 25 minutes east of Paphos city. The winery’s name comes from “Shoufas,” a Cypriot word meaning hawk, which was the nickname of the family’s ancestor who served as a watchman for the vineyards around Koilineia village, east of the Troodos Mountain. The winery was officially established in 1999 by brothers Savvas and Chrysostomos Philippou, who built the facility using the latest winemaking technology while honoring their family’s long-standing wine-making tradition that dates back several decades. The winery specializes in producing wines from indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, particularly Xynisteri for crisp white wines with strong fruit aromas of citrus and banana, and Maratheftiko for full-bodied red wines with intense aromas of cherries, vanilla, blackberries, and exotic spices. Shoufas also produces premium wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and rosé varieties. The winery is equipped with technologically advanced machinery for modern winemaking, and their wine portfolio includes dry, medium dry, and sweet options across red, white, and rosé categories. Visitors are warmly welcomed at Shoufas Winery on an almost daily basis, where the winemaker Savvas personally guides […]

Marathasa Wines is a state-of-the-art winery located in the charming Oikos village in the Marathasa Valley, high in the Trodos Mountains at 1,125 meters above sea level. Officially opened in June 2023, this award-winning facility represents a modern vision for revitalizing Cyprus’ viticultural heritage. The winery was established by John Papadouris, whose family hails from the nearby village of Kalopanayiotis and whose grandfather was a wine merchant. The project involved replanting abandoned vineyards and establishing new ones across 13 hectares of terraced vineyards, all within 10 minutes’ driving distance of the winery. The distinctive architecture, inspired by the local monastery with its three domes, features high-ceilinged structures topped by latticed wooden roofs, creating an extraordinary setting that overlooks the surrounding mountains and valleys. Marathasa Wines is dedicated to producing fine Cypriot wines exclusively from their own Marathasa-grown grapes, which are hand-harvested and processed at the winery. Under the guidance of winemaker Viktor Finopoulos, who has worked harvests in renowned regions including Alentejo, Chablis, and Marlborough, the winery produces a diverse range of wines including local varietals such as Xynisteri, Yiannoudi, and Syrah, alongside international classics like Sauvignon Blanc and Moschofilero. The vineyard’s high altitude and north-facing slopes help temper Cyprus’ […]

Avacas Winery is perched on the green slopes above Statos-Agios Fotios village in central Paphos, at roughly 1,000 metres altitude. This high‑mountain setting, mentioned in Byzantine and Roman writings for its exceptional wines and Koumandaria, gives the vineyards a noticeably cooler climate and long, slow ripening season that enhances aroma and freshness in the grapes. The winery has been operating commercially since 1988 under the guidance of the Efstathiou family and today produces wine both from its own vineyards and from carefully selected local growers. Viticulture and winemaking here are closely supervised from pruning through to bottling. Grapes – including local varieties such as Maratheftiko and Ofthalmo are harvested by hand, placed in small crates and brought to the winery within minutes to preserve freshness and flavour. Vinification takes place in stainless‑steel tanks with temperature control, followed by maturation and bottling on site, combining modern equipment with long family experience. The result is a range of wines that balance clean, modern profiles with a distinctly Cypriot character. Visitors to Avacas Winery will find a small, quality‑focused estate that reflects the quiet rural charm of Statos-Agios Fotios. Tasting the wines on the spot offers an excellent introduction to the mountain terroir […]

Zenon Winery is a family-owned boutique winery located in the picturesque village of Omodos in the Limassol region of Cyprus. Founded in 1998, the winery is run by Mr. Nicos Zenonos and operates across eleven hectares of vineyards. The winery is situated on the hills of Omodos, just a few minutes’ drive from the village center, making it easily accessible for visitors. With a commitment to both traditional and modern winemaking techniques, Zenon Winery has established itself as a notable producer in Cyprus’s renowned wine region. The winery is distinguished by its focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Zenon Winery employs organic farming methods and utilizes solar power to minimize its environmental impact while producing high-quality wines. The winery produces a diverse range of wines including whites, reds, and rosés, all of which showcase the unique terroir of the Troodos Mountains. Among their notable grape varieties is the Xynisteri, a traditional Cypriot white wine grape that reflects the region’s winemaking heritage. Visitors to Zenon Winery can enjoy a complimentary visit to the actual winery facility, which offers wine tastings and direct sales. The winery also maintains a retail shop in the village of Omodos for convenient access to their products. […]

Nelion Winery is a family-owned boutique winery located near the village of Pretori in the Paphos region, just off the famous Paphos-Troodos road. Founded in 1996 by Neophytos and Eleni Ioannou, the winery’s name is an abbreviated combination of the owners’ names. From its inception, Nelion earned acclaim for exceptional wines, inspiring the family to build a modern, custom-designed facility that seamlessly blends traditional Cypriot winemaking principles with contemporary techniques and state-of-the-art equipment. The winery’s philosophy centers on quality over quantity, with a hands-on family approach ensuring that every bottle reflects their dedication to excellence. The winery’s vineyards are meticulously tended on the slopes of the Diarizos Valley at altitudes above 700 meters, where they cultivate indigenous Cypriot grape varieties including Xynisteri, Ofthalmo, and Maratheftiko. Nelion produces approximately 25,000 to 35,000 bottles annually, focusing on eight distinct wine labels that showcase the diversity and richness of Cyprus’s terroir. The winery features a well-integrated building with a tidy cellar containing thousands of bottles and 300-liter oak barrels, creating an intimate setting that reflects the boutique nature of the operation. Visitors to Nelion Winery can enjoy a personalized wine experience with tastings available seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. The […]