Oenou Yi – Hadjiantonas Winery

Oenou Yi (literally 'wine-earth' in Greek) is the wine label of the Hadjiantonas family, and the estate sits at around 750 metres above the village of Pelendri on the southern Troodos. The estate buildings are themselves a destination — a contemporary winery built into the slope with a glassy tasting terrace projecting over the vineyard, designed for both production and visitor experience. The whole project was conceived from the ground up as a showpiece of modern Cypriot mountain winemaking.

The vineyards work both indigenous and international grapes at altitude. Indigenous: Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Promara (the rescued near-extinct white). International: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Chardonnay. The estate's flagship is the Hadjiantonas Cabernet Franc and the Promara, but the whole range is professionally vinified and the white wines in particular show the freshness that mountain altitude gives. The annual production is small (a few tens of thousands of bottles) and quality is consistent.

What to do. Tastings by appointment in the modern terrace room or, in cooler months, in the cellar itself. The standard flight is 5-7 wines accompanied by a small plate of olives, halloumi and bread. Cellar tour is included. The terrace at sunset, with the vineyards falling away below, is the photo. Fees are around 10-15 EUR per person.

Insider tips. Book ahead, especially weekends. Saturday lunch is the busy peak with Limassol day-trippers. The estate runs occasional summer harvest events and longer 'wine and food' lunches with the family — worth checking the calendar in advance. The road up from Pelendri has switchbacks; nervous drivers should take it slowly.

Combinations. Pair with Tsiakkas Winery in Pelendri (5 minutes — older, smaller, family-run; an interesting comparison), with the painted UNESCO church of Timios Stavros in Pelendri, or with Pelendri village taverns for lunch. A complete Pelendri-Pitsilia wine day.

Bring. A designated driver or pre-booked taxi, cash or card for direct purchases, a jacket for the terrace from late afternoon. When. April-October; harvest in early September is the most photogenic time. Oenou Yi is the modern, polished face of mountain Cypriot wine — and a serious cellar genuinely worth the drive.