September 18, 2026
Cyprus Wine Grapes: A Guide to Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and Morokanella
Cyprus has been making wine for around 5,000 years, yet most wine lovers have never tasted a Cypriot grape. That is starting to change. A new generation of small mountain wineries is bottling native varieties that grow almost nowhere else, and the results are winning medals well beyond the island.
This guide covers the three grapes worth knowing first, what each one tastes like, and which bottles to start with.
Why Cyprus Wine Is Different
Two things set the island apart.
- Altitude. The best vineyards sit high on the slopes of the Troodos mountains, many above 1,000 metres. Hot days ripen the fruit and cold nights keep the acidity fresh, which is rare this far south in the Mediterranean.
- Ungrafted vines. Phylloxera, the pest that destroyed Europe's vineyards in the 1800s, never reached Cyprus. Many vines still grow on their own original roots, and some are well over a century old.
Xynisteri: The White Grape of Cyprus
Xynisteri (say ksee-nee-STEH-ree) is the island's most planted white grape. It is also one of the two grapes used for Commandaria, the famous sweet wine. Made dry, it is light, crisp and easy to love.
Tastes like: lemon, green apple, white peach and fresh herbs, with moderate alcohol and a clean finish. If you enjoy Pinot Grigio, Assyrtiko or unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, start here.
Drink it with: grilled halloumi, fried calamari, sea bream, village salad, or on its own, well chilled, on a warm evening.
Bottles to try:
- Kolios Persefoni Xynisteri, one of our most reordered whites
- Tsiakkas Xynisteri, from high-altitude vineyards in Pelendri
Maratheftiko: The Rare Red
Maratheftiko (mah-rah-THEF-tee-ko) is the grape that made serious critics look at Cyprus. It is difficult to grow. Unlike most wine grapes it does not pollinate itself reliably, so growers plant it alongside other varieties and accept small, uneven crops. For decades it was nearly abandoned. Today it produces the island's most admired reds.
Tastes like: black cherry, plum, violets and a touch of cocoa, with a deep colour, firm but fine tannins, and enough structure to age for years. Think of it as sitting somewhere between a Syrah and a Cabernet Franc.
Drink it with: souvla, lamb kleftiko, grilled sausages, or a hard mature cheese.
Bottles to try:
- Zambartas Maratheftiko
- Tsangarides Maratheftiko, from organically farmed vineyards in Lemona
- Fikardos Maratheftiko
Morokanella: The Rediscovered White
Morokanella was almost extinct a generation ago. A handful of winemakers found old vines scattered through mixed village vineyards and began propagating them. Very little is made, which is why bottles cost more and sell out quickly.
Tastes like: richer and more aromatic than Xynisteri. Expect ripe pear, apricot, blossom and a rounder, fuller texture. It suits people who like Viognier or Chenin Blanc.
Drink it with: roast chicken, creamy pasta, prawns, or soft cheeses.
Bottles to try:
- Gerolemo Morokanella, a customer favourite
- Makarounas Morokanella
Quick Comparison
| Grape | Colour | Style | If you like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xynisteri | White | Light, crisp, citrus | Pinot Grigio, Assyrtiko |
| Maratheftiko | Red | Deep, structured, dark fruit | Syrah, Cabernet Franc |
| Morokanella | White | Aromatic, rounded, stone fruit | Viognier, Chenin Blanc |
Something Lighter: Rosé and Blue
Cyprus summers call for cold rosé. Tsiakkas Rodinos Rosé and Aes Ambelis Rosé are both dry, fruity and made for the beach. For something that starts a conversation, Linos Mediterranean Blue is exactly what the name says, and it is one of our best-selling bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cyprus wine good?
Yes. Quality has risen sharply since the 2000s as small estate wineries replaced bulk production. Native-grape wines from the Troodos foothills now regularly win international medals.
What is the most famous wine from Cyprus?
Commandaria, a sweet amber dessert wine with protected origin status, is the most famous. Among dry wines, Xynisteri whites and Maratheftiko reds are the best known.
Can you ship Cyprus wine abroad?
We ship wine from Cyprus to most of Europe, the UK, the United States, Australia and many other countries. Bottles are individually wrapped and boxed. Shipping is charged by weight, so a case of mixed bottles costs far less per bottle than a single one.
Where to Buy Cyprus Wine Online
You can browse our full range of Cypriot and Greek wines, with more than a hundred bottles from wineries such as Tsiakkas, Zambartas, Kolios, Tsangarides, Gerolemo and Aes Ambelis. Mixing a few grapes in one order is the best way to find your favourite.
Want to go deeper into the island's drinks? Read our guides to Commandaria and Zivania.