Story by Yannis Adilinis, photos by Nearchos Panayiotou, and video by Stelios Stefanou
DISTILLATE PRODUCTION AWARD 2026 - GASTRONOMOS
ZIVANIA | ASKON ART WINES
Constantinos Charilaou was born and raised in the Pitsilia region, in the village of Askas. After studying agronomy at the Cyprus University of Technology, he completed a master’s degree in oenology in Athens and launched his career working at wineries throughout Cyprus and abroad, including a season in New Zealand. Armed with extensive experience and knowledge, he eventually returned home to manage production for a prominent Cypriot winery.
Even so, his dream was always to establish a small-scale micro-winery right in Askas. On the steep, rocky slopes of this tiny village of just ninety residents, century-old, rain-fed, terraced vineyards continue to thrive. They grow mostly Mavro, alongside scattered pockets of Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, and Yiannoudi. Constantinos began revitalizing these old vineyards while planting new ones. Since 2020, operating under the name Askon Art Wines, he has produced an incredibly interesting line of premium wines that faithfully capture the identity of the local region.
"Our vineyards sit at altitudes ranging from 3,200 to 4,200 feet. Wine is a form of art, and our goal is to create world-class wines and distillates that truly express the unique personality and character of Askas," he says while shoot-thinning a young vine just below a ridge overlooking the Pentadaktylos mountain range.
The award-winning spirit
His classic Zivania immediately stood out during this year’s tasting by Gastronomos magazine. It is a superior distillate crafted from indigenous Mavro and Xynisteri grapes, resulting in a crystal-clear, 45% alcohol-by-volume spirit with an incredibly authentic taste.
"It comes from a vineyard that is over a century old," he explains, pointing to a plot that blankets the left slope of the road just before you enter the village. "The terroir, the soil, and the high altitude give us a distillate with clean flavors, intense aromas, and a distinct mineral quality. These are characteristics you can taste across our entire lineup."
For decades, this traditional Cypriot spirit suffered from a poor reputation because it was largely sold as cheap, unbranded bulk alcohol. That history is likely why Zivania has not yet achieved the same international recognition as comparable spirits from other famous wine regions.
"It is an underrated product, which is a real mistake. We are lagging behind in terms of our legal and commercial frameworks for it. But it absolutely has the potential to yield high-end distillates. It just takes technical expertise, rigorous work in the vineyard, and meticulous care during distillation to create a product that can hold its own on the world stage. And we can absolutely make that happen," Constantinos points out, giving full credit to the inherent value of Cypriot grapes.
Art, blending, and the future
Driven by a deep passion for winemaking, hard work, intense focus, and a clear vision to promote both his hometown and Cypriot wine as a whole, his current market offering consists of five limited-production, blended wine labels.
"Just like our name implies, everything we do is rooted in art and creation. Blending gives us the freedom to create something truly different. It brings out a more complex character that expresses our identity," he says disarmingly.
Climate change, bringing extreme weather and rising temperatures, is another major reason he chose to invest heavily in the high elevations of Askas, noting that the altitude is what will ultimately preserve their exceptional quality.
For Constantinos Charilaou, wine is far more than a commercial product. It is woven directly into the history and heritage of the land, connecting people to tradition and to life itself. Before we say goodbye, I ask him where he sees the Cypriot wine industry heading, given the distinct advantage of its rare local grape varieties.
"Cypriot wine has made massive leaps over the last ten years, producing world-class bottles and winning countless awards. We need to step forward with absolute confidence in what we are making here. We have to focus on research, innovation, and our native grape varieties because they represent the true future of the Cypriot wine industry."
ASKON ART WINES
24 Grigori Afxentiou, Askas, Nicosia
askasvineyards@gmail.com | T: 99944594
Askon Art wines and distillates are available directly at the winery and through selected fine wine retailers.
