Vasilikon Winery

Vasilikon Winery sits at around 700 metres in the village of Kathikas in the Pafos foothills, 30 km north-east of Paphos. Founded in 1993 by the Kyriakides family — three brothers from a winemaking line going back four generations — Vasilikon is one of the more consistent and approachable serious wineries of the Pafos region, and its Xynisteri is widely considered a benchmark for the variety. The estate has expanded steadily over thirty years and now produces around 200,000 bottles annually, mostly from estate vineyards in the Pafos and Krasochoria zones.

The grape range covers indigenous and international with a clear focus on the Pafos terroir. Xynisteri is the calling card — clean, citrus, mineral, well-priced, and a wine that has done much to rehabilitate Cyprus' native white grape's reputation. Mavro and Maratheftiko cover the indigenous reds; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the international varieties. The estate's flagship is the Methy Xynisteri-Sauvignon blend and the Vasilikon Reserve red.

The cellar facilities are modern and the tasting room is friendly and walk-in welcome (though booking is sensible for groups). Tastings cover 5-7 wines with a small plate of olives, halloumi and bread; fees are around 8-12 EUR per person, deducted from purchases. The Kyriakides brothers or their staff conduct tastings personally.

Insider tips. Vasilikon is one of the more relaxed serious wineries — walk-ins are welcome and the staff are friendly to non-experts. Ask specifically for the Methy white and the single-vineyard Xynisteri vertical if available. The estate is on the natural Pafos-coast wine route — easy to combine with other Kathikas-area wineries. Designated driver essential.

Combinations. Pair with other Pafos-region wineries (Ezousa in Polemi, Vouni Panayia further east), with Coral Bay or Lara Beach for a coastal afternoon, with Avakas Gorge for a hiking morning, or with Paphos for a town evening. The Pafos coastal-and-vineyard day from Paphos.

Bring. A designated driver, cash for direct purchases, an appetite for the small plates. When. April-October. Harvest is late August into September. Vasilikon is the friendly, well-priced, consistent serious cellar of the western Pafos and one of the easier introductions to Cypriot indigenous-grape wines.