Santa Irene Winery

Best Practices

Cyprus

(Europe)

Santa Irene winery is the fulfillment of a man’s dream. Daniel Anastasis and his wife Theoni restarted the ancient craft of growing vines and making wine in Farmakas in 2015, stirring life again on the mountain.
The Santa Irene Winery manages over 15 hectares of vineyards on the Farmakas mountains reaching an altitude of 1350m. It is dominated by the local red variety “Black Ampeli”, while the local white variety is smaller. Vineyards with an average age of 150 years perfectly adapted to the rocky mountainous Farmakas “Terroir”. The unique combination of the old vineyards with the high altitude and the special composition of the soil, along with traditional winemaking and viticulture techniques, result in the quality of distinct and complex wines. The Santa Irene Winery produces seven wine labels that have received awards in Local and International Wine competitions. The winery offers tours, wine tasting and local dishes at the winery’s restaurant.

Benefits

This winery is a remarkable initiative that uses local grape varieties to produce wine using innovative technologies. Within the premises of the winery a restaurant operates the Ierambelos restaurant which combines fusion and traditional cuisine. This local business creates a positive impact in several fields, such as:
Environment and cultural heritage – revive the neglected and undervalued traditional Cypriot variety, Mavro Ampelisimo as well as to regenerate and preserve the traditional vineyards of the Farmakas area, which measure centuries of life and are part of the cultural heritage of Cyprus.
Society – has significantly boosted business activity in a rural and remote area, creating sustainable and quality jobs. At the same time, it is a good example, especially for young people, for engaging in the industry.
Tourism – Santa Irene Winery and Ierambelos restaurant are considered a quality tourist product offering authentic experiences based on local gastronomy.

Key Success

The quality and authenticity of the experience constitute a critical success factor for the winery. Quality of the food and wine in combination with the authentic Cypriot landscape are part of the experience. Visitors can have a tour of the winery as well as to smell and taste the exquisite awarded wines produced at the winery. At the Ierambelos restaurant which is situated at the winery area, visitors can taste fusion cuisine prepared with local ingredients. Memorable events such as birthday parties, christenings etc can also be organised at the restaurant.