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.