By George Kassianos

Nestled in the pastoral hills of Pareklisia, just 20 minutes north of Limassol, the Hadjiantonas winery is a hidden gem. The Hadjiantonas winery team has been making wine since 2004, producing 70,000 bottles annually of 11 different wines, many of which have won awards.

In the magnificent three-storey building with the winery on the ground floor and the well-designed restaurant on the top there are many activities for the visitor. On the ground floor you will find the cellar where many old vintages of Hadjiantonas reds await connoisseurs with their decanters ready to taste past years of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery hosts regular tastings and tours as well as wedding receptions and dinners. Its strength though is the dynamic Anastasios Chrysostomou, the winery’s winemaker, who loves to mix both art and science to produce top quality wines. There is more than a winery at Pareklisia, it is a place where you have a wonderful and memorable experience, whatever the purpose for visiting. But it all revolves around wine.

Anastasios works mainly with Xynisteri and Chardonnay for whites, and for rosé and reds uses mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Soon we will have the chance to taste Mataro as a blend. The source of the fruit is mainly from Paphos, around Letymbou village, and Limassol’s Maronas and Malia villages. The winery is famed for its reds, which are age worthy and you may discover some hidden gems of past vintages in the cellar, available also in magnums and double magnums.

On a recent visit to the winery, we tasted some of the new vintages.

2020 Hadjiantonas Winery, Xynisteri, P.G.I. Lemesos, Abv 13%

The Xynisteri is sourced mainly from Malia and undergoes standard stainless-steel vinification. It has a bright, pale yellow colour with green hints on the rim. The nose shows aromas reminiscent of spring flowers and white fruit such as pear, apple and white currant. This Xynisteri is framed with aromatic herbs and with some hints of white pepper. The palate is racy with citrus fruit flavours of medium intensity, more lime and lemon with herbal notes still with a well-structured acidity. The finish is long, fresh and youthful with grapefruity aftertaste, providing a white that is a perfect match with fish, seafood and fish-rice based dishes. €7.50

2020 Hadjiantonas Winery, Chardonnay, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 13.5%

Sourced from Letymbou in Paphos, this Chardonnay is fermented in stainless-steel vats and approximately one third is kept for less than three months in used oak. Pale yellow colour, initial aromas on the nose are creamy and dairy in general, with yellow apple, citrus, more grapefruit, lemon blossoms and green, aromatic herbs. It is medium bodied, not the standard buttery Chardonnay, pleasant with a soft edge with a very good mouthfeel. It has a balanced acidity, where fruit and acid layers linger on the palate. A touch of minerality complements the grapefruity bitter finish. Pair this partially-oaked Chardonnay with cheese board of Manchego, Parmesan or aged Gouda, sliced apple or green grapes and crackers. Alternatively go for oysters or citrus-dressed green salads with grilled fish. Generally, a perfect accompaniment to lighter summer fare. €11

2020 Hadjiantonas Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon, P.G.I. Lemesos Abv 13%

A Cabernet Sauvignon based, off dry rosé. While many of the rosé in the marketplace are solely made for sipping by the pool or the beach, others have different designs to how they should be enjoyed. Hadjiantonas’ rosé is made for food matching, especially for Asian cuisine. Strawberry red colour with some orange hue with aromas of cherry, pomegranate, plus a hint of sugar dust and cinnamon as well as roses. Velvety textured balanced by crisp acidity, highlights of cherry and earth and a slight note of caramel in the midpalate and a long finish of slightly saline red fruit and minerals. Perfect as an aperitif, or with spicy salmon sashimi or crispy calamari with chili and wasabi mayo or even prawn tempura with yuzu-teriyaki dip or stir-fried chicken with cashew to name but a few Asian dishes than can match this wine. €10

2016 Hadjiantonas Winery, Shiraz, P.G.I Lemesos, Abv 15%

Traditionally Hadjiantonas Winery was producing some of the best Shiraz on the island. The 2016 vintage is the last from Pachna village, the new release fruit, out later this year, is sourced from Maronas village. The wine has spent 18 months in American oak. It has a deep ruby colour with garnet highlights. Aromas of blackberry and currants mingle with dark earthy undertones, flowers and peppery herbs and assorted spices along with tobacco. Creamy tannins, and a decadent mouthfeel with flavours of cherry, cassis and dark chocolate is complemented by a long, juicy, complex finish. Excellent with marinated steak or a beef stew as well as succulent lamb chops. €16

2017 Hadjiantonas Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon – Shiraz, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 15%

The 2017 vintage has gone through a heatwave during harvest and this typical blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz is kept for 18 months in American oak. Deep ruby in colour, it shows fragrant notes of cassis buds, ripe red and black cherries, raisins, licorice as well as warm aromas of blackberry, lavender and wild rosemary. Intense and focused on the palate, the tannins are well proportioned, lending elegance and charm throughout the long aromatic finish. You will love this with your Diane and pepper steaks, as well as lamb burger. €16

2018 Hadjiantonas Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 14.5%

This wine will be released very soon. The Cabernet grows at Letymbou village, and it has a dark ruby red colour with some violet hues. Depth and layer upon layer, black cassis, dark cherry, stewed prunes, tobacco leaf and milk chocolate, and some vanilla and lead pencil, all these aromas emerging from the glass. Then it pushes on to a full palate, polished tannins fold over the wine, good integration of oak, concentrated dark fruit in mid-palate, agile and focused on the finish. Excellent with grilled pork tenderloin and wild rice pilaf and roasted duck breast. Beef also is a perfect match. Out in few months so be patient. €20

Hadjiantonas winery, Tel: 25 991199, 25 025777, [email protected], www.hadjiantonas.com.cy