Symeon Winery seals the rising importance of Larnaca’s mountains

Your next great bottle of wine might come from the under-the-radar region in Cyprus of mountainous Larnaca, or more specifically the Symeon winery. Larnaca’s mountainous region marries the old viticultural history of the island with the new, modern face of the winemaking industry. A wineries route through it passes through 10 villages, quaint museums and workshops plus three wineries in Farmakas, Kato Drys and Lefkara. In Odou village is the relatively new Symeon Winery, established last year by Nicosia dentist Symeon Symeou.

It started with Santa Irini in Farmakas, Christoudia in Kato Drys and Dafermo near Lefkara, and with the addition of Symeon there are clear signs that the region might finally be emerging from behind the shadows of Limassol and Paphos.

Symeon is small, currently barely making 15,000 bottles but Symeon and his team – Evangelos Bakalexis and Sotiris Pavlis and consultant winemaker Spyros Zoumboulis – are ambitious newcomers reviving the legacy of the of the region, bringing fresh perspective to their work in both vineyard and the cellar.

The team has maintained its ability to yield good wines, and these young producers are harnessing that potential to produce them with minimal intervention and great elegance. “It’s only a matter of time until the region will be regarded as one of Cyprus’ best for growing wine grapes,” Symeon said.

The winery is compact and mostly built underground; as a result, it is very energy efficient. The team is trying not to intervene much during the winemaking while using both classic and modern methods in the winery. Symeon sources fruit both locally and from other regions, mainly the vineyards in Vouni Panayias in Paphos. The winery focuses on the indigenous Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and Mavro grapes as well the cosmopolitan Cabernet Sauvignon. It uses concrete tanks and egg-shaped fermenter vessels as well as oak barrels of various sizes.

Symeon is aiming to produce PDO wines and plans to add Giannoudi and Morokanella indigenous varieties to its portfolio. The team also plans to showcase the terroir with imported varieties too.

2024 Symeon Winery, Xynisteri, ABV 13.5%

The fruit is sourced from vineyards on Vouni Panayias. They are fermented in 600l oak tanks and kept for three months on its fine lees. The wine has a brilliant pale straw yellow colour with a beautiful depth. Round notes, with green and yellow apples, white peach, hawthorn, and subtle notes of apricot purée mixed with herbs, a slight undertone of fresh thyme and salty minerals. Rounded in the mouth, it has a tingling medium-bodied palate, deep with good supporting acidity and beautifully flavourful with stone fruit and herbs along with a linear, mineral finish. Pair it with seafood. Its varietal typicity makes it extremely versatile and food-friendly. €10.50

2024 Symeon Winery, OMG! Xynisteri, Orange Wine, ABV 12.5%

The grapes are from Farmakas and Odou villages and are fermented using indigenous yeast with long skin contact and daily punch down. Golden yellow in colour, this wine stands out for its floral aromas and notes of tropical white fruit, bergamont, beeswax and orange peel on the nose. On the palate, it offers fresh acidity. A refreshing and bold wine, nicely tannic, medium to full body, saline and mineral long aftertaste with lasting impact. Excellent with halloumi recipes, its high minerality balances out the saltiness of the cheese, bringing out flavours of pure umami. Also try with aged hard cheeses, baked salmon, white beans or black-eyed beans with smoked herring, as well as fried chicken. €15

2024 Symeon Winery, Mavro, ABV 14%

Refreshing and fruity red, fermented in concrete tanks. The Mavro grape is from Vouni Panayias in Paphos, Farmakas and Odou villages. An exciting cherry colour with notes of raspberry and blueberry, crushed berries, mint with a smoky undertone on the nose. Excellent with grilled Cyprus sausage, ratatouille, grilled chicken with black olives and tomato, caper sauce or Moroccan lamb. €9.50

2023 Symeon Winery, Topos, ABV 14.5%

This red dry is a blend of Mavro 55% and Maratheftiko 45% from Odou, Farmakas and Vouni Panayias. Skin contact in concrete vats, aged in oak barrels of both French and Slovenian oak. Garnet red colour, aromas of red fruits and a touch of cooking spices, toasted hazelnuts. Balanced and persistent on the palate, flavours of red plum, cherry and spice are showcased with light toast notes and garden-fresh herbs. Medium-bodied with soft tannins which follow through to a long, savoury finish. It is a beautifully balanced wine. Try with charcuterie platter or mild cheese, fillet mignon or grilled chicken, pork chops. €16.50

2023 Symeon Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, ABV 14.5%

A monovarietal from a single vineyard owned by the family. Made in stainless steel followed by 15 months ageing in French oak barrels. Deep purple black in colour with vibrant, expressive aromas of green pepper, blackcurrant, crushed blueberry and blackberry, forest floor and dried mint. The wine is full-bodied with wonderful richness and depth on the palate and firm, grinding tannins featuring a lively backbone cutting through the black fruit layers. The long, savoury flavours provide generosity to the persistent minty finish. A must for steak or blue cheeseburgers, roast lamb with mint, and local lamb tavas. €24

Symeon Winery, Odou, Tel: 99 448860