Wine in Cyprus

Wine making is just one more in a long list of traditions in Cyprus.

With a history of grape cultivation that goes back to 3.000 BC, this island produces some of the oldest wines known in the world. It fact Cyprus wines have been around for so long they’ve even found mention in the Bible, the story of Solomon, as being best in the world.

Commandaria, one of the oldest wines in the world, was also the pioneer of the ‘apellation of origin’ concept. With a rich aroma and a subtle taste Commandaria is as popular now as it was thousands of years ago. It got its name after the area it was produced in. When the Knights of the Order of St. John came to Cyprus in 1210, they made their headquarters in the richest grape-growing region and named their headquarters ‘Grand Cammanderie’. In time the superior wine that was produced in the area came to be named ‘Vin de la Commanderie’. Besides Commandaria, Cyprus produces a large assortment of red and white wines, vermouths, ports and sherries.