Wineries near Limassol: a guide to the Krasochoria and Commandaria villages

Wineries near Limassol to visit for tastings: Krasochoria and Commandaria villages, opening hours, how to book, and how to do a wine day without driving.

By Nina from InviteM · Published 10 Oct 2026 · Updated 10 Oct 2026 · Limassol

A short drive north of Limassol, the coastal sprawl gives way to terraced vineyards and stone villages. This is the Krasochoria, literally the "wine villages", and the neighbouring Commandaria villages, home to the island's famous sweet wine. Here's how to plan a wine day, with wineries that welcome visitors and the practical details you need to book.

The two wine routes above Limassol

Krasochoria of Limassol

The official Krasochoria wine route runs through 20 villages with 16 wineries, from Kolossi and Erimi (home of the Cyprus Wine Museum) up to Omodos, Vasa, Arsos and Pachna. A dry climate and the local geology suit the vines. Most wine here is made from the indigenous Xynisteri (white) and Mavro (red) grapes, alongside imported varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache and Syrah, out of 23 grape varieties in total. Beyond the wine, the villages are known for their traditional architecture, cobbled lanes and village tavernas.

The Commandaria route

The Commandaria wine route covers 14 villages, at altitudes of roughly 500 to 900 metres. Commandaria is made from late-picked Mavro and Xynisteri grapes that are dried in the sun to concentrate their sugars, then pressed and fermented. Its story goes back to the Knights of St John and their Grand Commandery at Kolossi. Visit Cyprus calls it one of the oldest named wines in the world. Two stops worth adding to your route are the restored wine press at Laneia and Kolossi Castle itself.

Wineries to visit

These wineries publish visiting information on their own websites. Always book or confirm before you go, since tasting slots and opening days vary.

Zambartas Wineries, Agios Amvrosios

A winery in Agios Amvrosios, open Tuesday to Friday 10:00–17:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00. Its Winemaker's Selection is a guided tasting of four wines made from indigenous grapes, lasting 60–90 minutes, and the winery also makes a Commandaria. Tastings are by prior appointment. Same-day bookings and walk-ins are welcome but not guaranteed a slot. The winery's own site prices the Winemaker's Selection at €20 per person. It also offers a Seasonal Wine Selection (€15) and a comparative Taste the Difference Selection (€25), all with a platter of halloumi, lountza, fruit and bread and a cellar tour.

Vlassides Winery, Koilani

Vlassides built its winery in 2012 on principles of sustainable development, and some of the family's vineyards are over 100 years old. It runs guided tours and tastings daily except Sundays and holidays, 11:00–16:00, by appointment. One unusual option is a comparative tasting in which four of its wines are each served in a different Riedel glass, guided by a sommelier.

Yiaskouris Winery, Pachna

In Pachna, the Yiaskouris family traces its winemaking back to 1878. The range includes Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Mataro and Shiraz. Tastings and tours are arranged through the winery's contact page or by phone.

Menargos Winery, Monagri (Commandaria)

A family Commandaria winery in Monagri. Its website invites visitors to schedule a free wine tasting Monday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00, and says groups are welcome at short notice. It's a good place to taste Commandaria where it's made.

Linos Winery, Omodos

Run by the Herodotou family in Omodos, Linos makes a full range of wines from both local and foreign grape varieties grown in its own vineyards. Visitors can taste the wines and tour the production facilities.

Ktima Gerolemo, Omodos

Also in Omodos, Ktima Gerolemo makes white, rosé, red and dessert wines as well as zivania, the Cypriot grape spirit. It offers wine tastings and masterclasses and hosts "Wine Brunching Sundays". Check its website for the current season's dates.

What to taste

• Xynisteri: the local white grape that Visit Cyprus names as one of the two mainstays of the Krasochoria. Yiaskouris, for example, makes both dry and medium-dry versions.
• Mavro: the local red grape, and one of the two grapes behind Commandaria.
• Maratheftiko: another local red variety. Yiaskouris makes an oak-aged version and a Mataro–Maratheftiko rosé.
• Commandaria: the sweet wine made from sun-dried Mavro and Xynisteri. Taste it at a Commandaria producer such as Menargos, or look for it on the list at Zambartas.
• Zivania: the clear Cypriot grape spirit. Ktima Gerolemo in Omodos makes one, including an oaked version.

Ask at each winery which wines are open for tasting that day. Small producers often rotate what they pour.

Wine without the driving

Mountain roads and tasting glasses don't mix. If nobody in your group wants to be the designated driver, book a tour with transport. Cyprus Taste Tours runs small-group food and wine tours with a maximum of seven guests and door-to-door transport, and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

A sample wine day from Limassol

1. Morning: drive to Kolossi Castle (about 14 km west of Limassol) to see where the Commandaria story starts.
2. Late morning: head up into the hills for a booked tasting at a Commandaria winery such as Menargos in Monagri, or at Zambartas in Agios Amvrosios.
3. Lunch: stop at a village taverna in Omodos or another Krasochoria village.
4. Afternoon: do a second, shorter tasting in Omodos (Linos or Ktima Gerolemo), then walk around the village before heading back.

Keep it to two or three wineries. Tastings take longer than you think, and the drives between villages are winding.

When to go

Wineries welcome visitors through the year, but autumn is special. On 17–18 October 2026, the village of Kalo Chorio holds its Commandaria & Tradition Festival, where you can taste Commandaria and zivania and help make palouze, a pudding made from grape must.

Tips

• Book every tasting: even wineries with set hours prefer appointments.
• Check closing days: Zambartas closes Mondays, and Vlassides closes Sundays and holidays.
• Buy at the cellar door: many small producers sell bottles you won't easily find in shops.
• Bring water and snacks: distances between villages are short on the map but slow on the road.