Commandaria
2 year old, 2020
Our signature label spends the minimum time allowed in old barrels, achieving a harmonious balance while minimizing oak influence. This approach preserves natural aromas and enhances versatility, tempering Commandaria’s sweetness with freshness for an approachable and inviting experience.
Tasting notes
Clear, deep amber in appearance. Delicate aromas of grape molasses, hazelnut, and salted caramel slowly open up to dried fruit, honey, and tangerine. On the palate, the sweetness is balanced by notes of tobacco, coffee, and vanilla, with bright acidity keeping it fresh and approachable. The finish reveals gentle tannins with lingering hints of tobacco and citrus.
Technical Info.
Appellation
Commandaria
Villages
Agios Mamas, Doros, Laneia
Varietals
Xynisteri, Mavro
Alcohol
12.5%
Volatile Acidity
22.4 meq/L
Residual Sugar
203.8 g/L
Production Vol.
6,000L / 3,000btls
nutritional info.
(per 100ml serving)
Alcohol
9.8g
Calories
151 kcal
Sugars
20.4g
Organic
Yes (certified)
Suitable for Vegan
Yes
Allergens
Contains sulphites
Viticulture
We come from a long lineage of Commandaria viticulturists – our vineyards are our family’s heritage. We manage each vineyard directly and know each field vine by vine.
Our vineyards are situated in a historic winemaking region on the foothills of Troodos Mountain, at 600 to 800 meters. The steep slopes provide ideal sun exposure for ripening grapes, while cool nights and alpine winds maintain bright acidity and balance in our wine.
At the core of our vineyards are the two ancient Cypriot varieties: Xynisteri and Mavro Ambelissimo. Both grapes are rooted in the island’s history for millennia, offering a unique identity to our wines.
We employ traditional vineyard methodologies, blending native farming techniques passed down through generations with contemporary knowledge. This harmonious approach allows just two people to effectively manage over 12 hectares of vineyards
We honor traditional practices by using the region’s proven training method. Goblets require less intervention and are resilient to weather and disease. Our vines are trained higher off the ground and spaced farther apart, reducing yield while enhancing the health benefits of the goblet.
Our ungrafted vines tell a story of resilience. Having survived the 19th-century phylloxera outbreak, we propagate from the hardiest old vines, preserving a piece of history in every harvest.”
It’s the law—no irrigation allowed. Rather than resisting this challenge, we’ve embraced it, focusing on sustainable vineyards and sacrificing productivity for vine health and high-quality raw materials.
We maintain simplicity and honesty with certified organic practices—minimal intervention and no synthetic additives. Our goal is to express the grape and terroir while respecting the environment and local biodiversity.
Every grape is hand-harvested, allowing for gentle handling and careful selection. This practical approach ensures the quality of our wines without unnecessary frills.
winemaking
Our vinification process focuses on tradition and minimal intervention, allowing the wine to express itself. Each step preserves the authenticity of Commandaria, highlighting its history and unique vintage character.
After harvest, grapes are sun-dried on sheets in the vineyard for two weeks, naturally concentrating flavors and sugars as water evaporates—no added sweeteners needed.
The grapes are then gently pressed with a basket press, yielding high-quality juice that requires no further fining. Though labor-intensive and unsuited for large volumes, it fits our small production perfectly.
Continuing a millennia-old local tradition, we ferment with wild yeasts. By maintaining an optimal fermentation environment, we embrace the unpredictability of spontaneous fermentation, adding unique complexity to each vintage.
Our philosophy of minimal intervention extends into vinification, with no vinification additives other than the absolute necessary level of sulphites.
While fortification became the norm in recent centuries, Commandaria’s origins predate the production of high-percentage alcohol needed for it. Staying true to our no-additives philosophy, we let fermentation finish naturally, without fortification.
We mature our Commandaria for the minimum two years required by law in old French and American oak barrels, developing complexity without overshadowing the wine’s natural qualities.