The history behind "Oenou Yi - Ktima Vassiliades"
The history and tradition of Cypriot winemaking is inextricably linked to Omodos’ course throughout the years. Framed within the high mountain peaks of Troodos, and with summit Olympos as its sleepless guardian, Omodos proudly emerges through its lush vineyards. Picturesque and hospitable, the traditional wine village of Limassol is one of the main tourist destinations of Cypriot countryside.
Oenou Yi – Ktima Vassiliades winery was founded in 2017, by lawyer and winemaker Christodoulos G. Vassiliades. It is a new beginning in the field of viticulture and wine production, which, however, brings with it centuries of wine tradition.
Christodoulos G. Vassiliades was born and raised in Omodos of Limassol district. He studied law in Athens Law School and upon returning to Cyprus he founded “Christodoulos G. Vassiliades & Co. LLC” law firm. Nevertheless, he never forgot his true love and passion, both for his village and birth place, and for wine cultivation, a love inherited by his father Georgios Vassiliades, who was a vine grower and winemaker himself.
The unique 'terroir'
A genuine child of Omodos, he took business over from his father, who had always been making a living, like all of Omodos’ people, from viticulture and winemaking. As a tenth generation winemaker, he revived the family tradition. With a creative outlook to the future, he penetrated the magical world of winemaking, ready to contribute to the wine future of the region. The winery’s main aim is to produce fine wines for the demanding domestic and international public, highlighting Cypriot wine and simultaneously making the winery space a living cultural lung for the surrounding area and the whole of the island.
Today, on the vineyard dominated slopes of the area, up to the peak of Laona at an altitude of 800 metres and Afamis at 1,060 metres, Oenou Yi – Ktima Vassiliades winery keeps the tradition of Mediterranean vineyard alive. The rich wine culture and architecture of the area is an undeniable witness to ideal wine making conditions reaching the depths of time.
Linear structures that facilitate cultivation methods, traditional Omodos scrap stone that prevents soil erosion, and fragrant roses that prevent the enemies of vines, describe and set the limits of the Estate.
It is a century-old relationship. There, where mountainous nature submits to the hardworking people of Omodos until the fertile areas are transformed in a hospitable and fruitful land.
