Kathikas winery making indigenous Xynisteri and Lefkada wines from limestone vineyards high above the Cypriot coast.
The producer
K & K Vasilikon Winery was established by brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides in Kathikas village, in Cyprus's Akamas Laona region. Its vineyards sit on limestone, with some areas containing clay, and the winery uses natural soil keeping practices. The named wines include Xynisteri, Lefkada, Einalia and Agios Onoufrios. Xynisteri receives cold maceration, low temperature fermentation and lees ageing. Lefkada is made entirely from the indigenous variety and matures in French oak barrels.
Known for
Indigenous high altitude Cyprus wines
Notable facts
Vasilikon owns 16 hectares of vineyards and produces approximately 350,000 bottles annually.
Vasilikon founded a new state of the art winery in 2010.
Vasilikon began collaborating with oenologist Aphrodite Constanti in 2011.
The vineyards are limestone, with some areas containing up to 15% clay.
The story
The New Winery Year
In 2010, brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides founded a new state of the art winery for Vasilikon. The facility arrived after the family had established the winery in 1993 and placed Vasilikon Xynisteri and Agios Onoufrios on the market as its first wines. In 2011, Vasilikon began collaborating with oenologist Aphrodite Constanti to enhance its winemaking expertise. The new facility and the named oenologist belong to the same two year stretch in the winery's history.
The New Winery Year
In 2010, brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides founded a new state of the art winery for Vasilikon. The facility arrived after the family had established the winery in 1993 and placed Vasilikon Xynisteri and Agios Onoufrios on the market as its first wines. In 2011, Vasilikon began collaborating with oenologist Aphrodite Constanti to enhance its winemaking expertise. The new facility and the named oenologist belong to the same two year stretch in the winery's history.
From the atlas
K & K Vasilikon Winery
K & K Vasilikon Winery in Kathikas, where indigenous Xynisteri and Lefkada grow on limestone vineyards high above the sea.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Cyprus
Village
Kathikas, Akamas Laona
Grapes in named wines
Xynisteri, Lefkada, Syrah, Maratheftiko
Named vineyard bottle
Vasilikon Single Vineyard
Defining feature
Limestone vineyards and natural soil keeping practices
The Producer
Xynisteri appears in Vasilikon's standard white and in the single origin wine from Vasilika vineyard, planted in 1964. Brothers Heracles, Georgios and Giannis Kyriakides established the winery, which now owns 16 hectares and produces approximately 350,000 bottles annually.
The first wines placed on the market were Vasilikon Xynisteri and Agios Onoufrios. The named bottles now extend across white, red and rosé styles, with indigenous varieties at the centre and Syrah paired with Maratheftiko in Einalia.
Place
Kathikas village lies in the Akamas Laona region on the northwestern side of Cyprus. The vineyards sit at 650 to 700 metres above sea level and about eight kilometres from the sea, combining high elevation with moist air from the coast.
During grape maturation, maximum temperatures reach 28°C by day and 14°C by night. The sea air and day and night temperature pattern moderate maturation, creating wines with aromatic character and a rich body.
Wines
Vasilikon's named wines cover three colours. Einalia is a rosé made from Syrah and Maratheftiko. Lefkada is a red made entirely from the indigenous Lefkada variety, matured in French oak barrels and marked by red fruit, floral and herbal aromas, balanced tannins and a long aftertaste.
The standard Xynisteri is a white made exclusively from the indigenous Xinisteri variety. Its white vinification includes cold maceration, low temperature fermentation and lees ageing. Lees are the spent yeast cells left after fermentation, and ageing on them can add texture and roundness to a white wine.
Agios Onoufrios is a red and was one of the winery's first wines to reach the market. Vasilikon Single Vineyard is a single origin Xynisteri from the Vasilika vineyard, whose planting dates to 1964.
Final Word
In 2016, Vasilikon Xynisteri first circulated as PDO Laona Akamas. The winery called it the first dry wine with Protected Designation of Origin.