Koumandaria Wine Route in Limassol, Cyprus

Description:

Wine has always been part of the Cypriot heritage and it is believed that Cyprus has one of the oldest wine industries in the world. Excavations have proven that Cyprus was producing wine over five thousand years ago.

 
Throughout the Mediterranean, Cyprus was the cog of oenological development to countries such as Italy, France and Greece.

 
Today, ancient wine making equipment and tools can be seen at the many archaeological museums around Cyprus.

 
Two clay wine vessels were found at Laneia dated 1844 which was the year that ETKO Ltd was formed by the Haggipavlou family, the first contemporary wine company in Cyprus.

 
Koumandaria Wine Route

Cyprus is world famous for its sweet Koumandaria (Commandaria) wine which is produced in 14 villages making up the Koumandaria region. The villages are at altitudes ranging from 500 to 900 metres and are about 25 kilometres from the Cyprus coast.

 
Sweet wine dates back thousands of years but Koumandaria was thought to be produced from 1191 by the Knights of the Templar where it is said that Richard the Lion Heart had it served to Queen Berengaria on their wedding day.

 
It is apt that the route begins at Kolossi one of the 'Commanderies' (territories) as the Templars settled at Kolossi Castle.

 
Driving westwards to Erimi Village where the Wine Museum of Cyprus can be found. The Museum has vine and wine exhibits, wine tasting and wine purchase. Leaving Erimi, the journey begins its incline and runs along the edge of the Kouris Reservoir which is the biggest in Cyprus.

 
The route takes us through the villages of Alassa, Monagri, Ayios Georgios, Silikou and Doros, where the first of the two Koumandaria Wineries can be found.

 
From Doros the route then heads to Laneia where a traditional wine press has been lovingly preserved.

 
Heading up to Trimiklini village and then on to Ayios Mamas where the Koumandaria winery of the Co-Operative is located.

 
The route passes through the villages of Kapilio, Zoopigi, Kalo Chorio, Ayios Pavlos, Ayios Constantinos, Louvaras, Apsiou and Gerasa where the views are spectacular in these quaint, picturesque villages with their own unique traditional architecture.

 
The final part of the journey back to Limassol passes through the villages of Paramytha and Palodia reaching Ayia Fyla where the whole route has taken in over a hundred kilometres by car.
 

Climate:

The cool summers are dry and generally warm. Winters can be cold and frosty with regular rainfall.

 
Terrain:

High traces of carbon and calcium can be found in the often poor, shallow soil.

 
Wine Varieties:

Red - Mavro, Ofthalmo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

White - Palomino, Malaga and Xynisteri

 
The Koumandaria Wine Route is a great way to see some of the more traditional Cyprus villages by car and get to know the history behind wine making in Cyprus.

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