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Nestled in the mountainous Marathasa valley, Marathasa Wines offers visitors the chance to discover the area's winemaking traditions while sampling wines produced at the estate.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, the winery welcomes guests between 10am and 7pm, with wine and food service available daily from 11.30am to 6.30pm. The menu includes bar snacks, light bites, sharing platters and sweet treats, making it an option for both a dedicated wine-tasting visit and a leisurely afternoon out.
Those interested in sampling the estate's collection can opt for a wine flight featuring four to six different wines, accompanied by olives, bread and crackers. Alternatively, all six varieties can be ordered individually.
The winery's story is closely tied to the history of wine production in the valley. For generations, families in the surrounding mountain villages cultivated vineyards on the steep slopes, growing indigenous grape varieties and producing their own wine. Many traditional homes even had wine presses in their basements, where grapes were crushed by foot.
The family's connection to the trade goes back several generations. John Papadouris' grandfather worked as a wine merchant, selecting wines from local families before transporting them in leather wineskins on the backs of donkeys. He travelled along mountain paths and across Cyprus to sell the region's produce.
However, the departure of residents from mountain communities during the 1940s and 1950s, as people sought employment in cities and overseas, contributed to the gradual decline of the local wine trade.
Papadouris set out to help restore that heritage. Drawing on his background in construction, he began acquiring neglected vineyards in 2014, restoring existing plots, creating terraces on steep hillsides and planting new rootstock. Some of the original vines have been preserved and continue to be cultivated using traditional methods.
Today, his daughter Alexa oversees the business alongside her husband Andrew and cousin Stavros, while experienced viticulturist and winemaker François Raynal is responsible for the vineyard and wine production.
The project brings together family history, local agricultural traditions and contemporary winemaking, giving visitors an opportunity to experience a part of Cyprus's mountain heritage through its wines.
Visiting information
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Opening days: Tuesday to Sunday
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Winery hours: 10am to 7pm
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Food and wine service: 11.30am to 6.30pm
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Location: Marathasa valley, Cyprus
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Tastings: Four-to-six-wine flights or individual wines.
For more details, visit the Marathasa Wines listing in WIZ Guide HERE.
