Our Vineyards
Winery photos by
@huftonandcrow
Homegrown in the valley
Grown on high-altitude, north-facing slopes up to 1125m, our vines are planted on steep, stony terraces, surrounded by native mountain plants and trees, so that the grapes develop the authentic aromas of the Marathasa valley, creating a delicious, one-of-a-kind complexity.
So whether an international variety like Sauvignon Blanc or the native Xynisteri, each wine is distinctly Marathasa.
Marathasa Terroir
The wines of Marathasa have always been prized for their superior quality because of the unique terroir; the high altitude, volcanic soil and diverse flora of the area.
A local name for the valley is Myrianthousa, meaning “a multitude of flowers”. This rich floral tapestry weaves its way into the vines, yielding wines with delicious aromas of the Cypriot countryside.
Grape Varieties
For our white wines, we grow the indigenous Xynisteri, a cultivar well-suited to the climate, producing wines reminiscent of the Cypriot countryside, with floral, citrus, herb and hay characteristics. The main international variety grown is the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc and we have small quantities of local Promara and Greek Moschofilero and Assyrtiko.
Our main international red is Syrah, which has found a new expression in Cyprus. It yields deep, full-bodied wines with an intense blackberry and blueberry bouquet, as well as spicy notes of black pepper and liquorice. We are seeing some exciting results with the indigenous Iannoudi, yielding complex, elegant wines. Small quantities of Zinfandel, Grenache and Mattaro (Mourvèdre) have also been planted.
Meet the winemaker
François-Xavier Raynal
With nearly three decades of experience across some of the world’s most diverse wine regions, François-Xavier Raynal brings to Marathasa Wines both international expertise and a deep respect for terroir.
Born in France and trained in Viticulture and Oenology, his career has taken him from the vineyards of Bordeaux and Médoc to Tokaj in Hungary, Israel, New Zealand and even the Himalayan foothills.
Working in both historic estates and pioneering mountain vineyards, he has developed a philosophy rooted in precision, patience and careful observation of how soil, altitude and climate shape the character of wine.
At Marathasa Wines, his work aligns with our vision: to craft exceptional wines from Cyprus’ indigenous grape varietals — Xynisteri, Yiannoudi and Promara — continuing the long tradition of winemaking in the Marathasa region, while also producing refined wines from carefully selected international grape varieties.
Marathasa Wines is not just about making and selling wine; it is part of a broader vision, to revive mountain village communities and the surrounding vineyards.
You can still see abandoned vineyards – many almost a century old – with old stone walls, overgrown by the forest, but scattered grapevines still survive.
It is very fulfilling to be able to bring life again to these historic mountain vineyards
