Newsroom
An arson attack on one of Limassol’s most exclusive wine bars has caused serious collateral damage, torching rare bottles worth tens of thousands of euros and sending fresh shockwaves through a case already tied to violent crime.
According to 24News, the targeted wine cellar in Germasogeia belongs to a foreign businessman who is a close associate of murdered football agent Stavros Demosthenous. The fire caused damage estimated at several thousand euros, mainly due to the extremely high-value stock stored inside.
This was no ordinary liquor store.
Some of the bottles kept at the cellar were priced at eye-watering levels, up to €75,000 per bottle, with others selling for €50,000, €9,000 and more. The wine bar catered to wealthy collectors and high-end professionals, offering rare and collectible labels few ever see up close.
Bottles worth more than a car gone in flames
Among the premium brands listed on the cellar’s website were world-famous wines such as Château Petrus and Château Margaux.
Château Petrus, considered one of the most prestigious red wines on the planet, was sold at prices ranging from €500 to nearly €1,000 per bottle, depending on the label. Internationally, certain vintages sell for several thousand euros, with prices often exceeding €4,000 or €5,000 per bottle.
Château Margaux bottles started at around €300 and climbed to €800.
In other words, this was less a shop and more a vault, stocked with wines treated as investments, not just drinks.
Holiday season disruption
The arson attack is already causing ripple effects beyond the damage itself. The cellar supplied expensive alcohol to professionals and private clients, and its sudden destruction may disrupt supplies during the busy holiday season.
While authorities have not officially confirmed the full extent of the losses or how badly the market will be affected, the impact is already being felt by parts of Limassol’s high-end hospitality scene.
Second attack raises alarms
What makes the incident even more alarming is that it is not the first attack against the same businessman.
On November 26, unknown assailants set fire to four luxury cars owned by him. That incident triggered immediate concern within the police, prompting a reassessment of his personal security.
Following the latest arson attack, police have moved to increase protection.
Police step in
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Limassol TAE chief Costas Michael confirmed that authorities are taking the situation seriously.
“The police conducted a risk assessment, and specific measures are being taken to protect him and his property, with frequent patrols of his home and businesses,” he said.
A chilling message
With luxury cars burned, a high-end wine cellar torched, and links to a high-profile murder case, the message behind the attacks is unsettling.
This was not random vandalism, and it was not cheap damage.
As investigations continue, the arson has added another dark chapter to a case that is already keeping Limassol on edge, raising fresh questions about intimidation, organized crime, and how far the ripple effects of violence can spread.
*With information from CNA
