SEARCHThe global authority in superyachting Cyprus is known for blazing sunshine that stretches into autumn sumptuous Eastern Mediterranean cuisine and a rich history While it’s not currently known for it’s innovative winemaking scene Elizabeth Finney finds out why it soon will be.. As a group of people dance and jig enthusiastically in one vast wooden barrel, a shock of vibrant grape juice shoots into another sitting half a foot below, which vibrates due to the surrounding traditional Cypriot folk music. The annual Limassol Wine Festival is alive with activity. There are wine tastings in every direction stalls serving loukoumades (doughnuts dripping with honey) and dozens of people dancing energetically with wine-filled bell bottom bottles and glasses clutched precariously between their fingers Watching from the sidelines with my own carafe I’m reeling from the dynamic culture of the place — or perhaps it’s from the surprisingly delicious local red I’m sipping While Cypriot wine isn’t well-known internationally the island has been producing wine for nearly 6,000 years and the local dessert wine Commandaria (also known as Nama) is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest manufactured wine in the world with origins tracing as far back as 2,000 BC It is commonly accepted as fact that Richard the Lionheart — who conquered the island in 1191 during the third crusade and was crowned King of Cyprus — declared it “the wine of Kings and the King of wine” Though its fortified wines grew in popularity across Europe until the 1970s the wineries on the island spent most of the 20th century mass-producing cheap wines for the former Eastern Bloc though this market disintegrated in the 1980s It wasn’t until more recently that boutique winemakers started receiving some attention from beyond Cypriot shores which can host superyachts up to 110 metres Therefore the terrace at the Vasilikon winery which overlooks the vineyards up in the lofty hills of Kathikas and is just a short helicopter ride from Limassol remains a perfectly viable spot to while away an afternoon tasting wines and nibbling on olive bread still warm from the oven which makes it in idyllic microclimate for growing grapes,” says Aphrodite Constanti as she shows me the “little library for the winery” a cool brick cellar with dark bottles stacked high Working with both foreign and indigenous grapes Constanti adds: “We start with the Shiraz and the Cabernet in the first weeks of August and finish with the local varieties I enjoy a glass of the Vasilikon white — made using the indigenous grape variety of Xinisteri it is the only white of the four wines produced here “The Xyinisteri of Kathikas is very particular and special,” Constanti says “It has such a tropical character — it’s very complex and we only get it from here pale peridot of the Vasilikon dry white wine catches the sun flooding the terrace as Yiannis Stefanides because it continues to mature in the bottle,” he says with the sound of ocean waves tumbling up and down the private beach the Elysium Hotel provides an idyllic sanctuary for oenophiles With sommelier Stefanides on hand to unleash a wealth of knowledge regarding Cypriot wines and a brand-new wine package that whisks guests away to vineyards and wineries during their stay it’s got the upper hand in offering an experience worthy of Dionysus himself I settle down in one of the hotel’s eight eateries Oven-baked halloumi with sesame seeds and honey and brimming bowls of Cypriot village salad appear before me slow-cooked lamb kleftiko and traditional moussaka Stefanides appears regularly with a fresh bottle to pair with each course starting with an icy dry white from the Tsangarides winery and finishing with an the aromatic Petritis from Kyperounda both of which boast the familiar fruity kick of the Xinisteri grape guests can spend the days recovering at the Elysium spa and fitness centre I opt for a one-on-one Pilates lesson with a Cypriot personal trainer before heading to the spa The treatment rooms unfurl from behind a sculpted wooden screen and include a gorgeous relaxation room with Balinese-style loungers and herbal teas The ESPA total holistic body treatment with hot stones which involves a full body polish followed by a body face and scalp massage using volcanic hot stones leaves me feeling light and loose-limbed spa pool and steam rooms to spend the rest of the afternoon in total repose I enjoy a quick, yet refreshing glass of white at a sunbathed table of the nearby tavern, I hit the road, stopping at the famous Petra tou Romious, or Aphrodite’s Rock. Supposedly the birthplace of the goddess of love, legend says that if you swim around the rock three times anticlockwise at midnight you will look younger and more beautiful. Rather than waiting around until midnight, I take my chances and head back to the Elysium for an extraordinary supper at Ristorante Bacco. Despite being a popular summer superyacht destination, Cyprus is not currently frequented by wine connoisseurs — thankfully, this is changing. The collection of boutique wineries that have sprung up in recent years give the island some much-deserved gravitas, a way to share its vibrant traditions via its historic love of wine — making it the perfect spot to pick up a few cases to enjoy on board while cruising around the Eastern Mediterranean. For millennia, humans have come together over a glass of their favourite tipple to share stories, debate opinions and put the world to rights. In Cyprus, winemaking and culture are inextricably intertwined and Cypriots are only too delighted to share both. “Wine is for sharing,” Stefanides tells me on my final evening. “The philosophy of wine is to share with friends.” Hero image courtesy of Shutterstock.com / majcot SubscribeSign up to our newslettersSign up to BOAT International email newsletters to get the latest superyacht news, business analysis, exclusive event invitations, and more. Boat International Media Ltd © 2008 - 2025. Content presented under the "BOAT Presents" logo is an advertising feature and Boat International Limited has been paid to include this content. Peel yourselves away from the sun loungers and discover the best of rural Cyprus from awe-inspiring religious landmarks to traditional villages home to generations of wine makers | © Val’s Place © MyCyprusInsider If you want to understand local life and traditions then be sure to add this weird and wonderful place to your Cyprus bucket list This quirky museum dedicated to ‘Droushia’s life and culture’ contains many silk and cotton fabrics antique furniture and tools for bread-making Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Avakas Gorge | © Alexilena/Shutterstock If you want to enjoy a holiday in pure style on the west coast, the five-star Anassa Hotel is famed for its dreamy and unique hillside location Just five minutes from the little fishing village of Latchi the secluded resort lies on landscaped gardens dotted with local herbs and has been meticulously designed to resemble a Mediterranean village complete with whitewashed buildings and cobbled paths weaving through the complex To find out more and book your stay at Anassa Hotel, visit Sovereign’s website or call 01293 765 003 Sovereign is offering a 10-night holiday to Cyprus airport fast pass and private resort transfers See & Do Lesser-Known Summer Destinations to Visit in Europe Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in August See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Spring See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd