Makarounas Vineyards Giannoudi

Makarounas Winery is a family winery located in the beautiful village of Letymbou, a region with a long tradition in vine growing. Letymbou is located 14 kilometres east of the city of Pafos, on the west coast of Cyprus, and the Makarounas family have a viticultural history dating back four generations in the region.

Theodoros Makarounas started the winery in 2016, after completing his studies in Oenology and Viticulture at UC Davis, with the support of his parents Kostas and Eleni, and his two brothers Dimitris and Stelios. He strongly embraced the belief that good wine is made in the vineyard; thus, particular attention is paid to the notion of terroir.

Giannoudi,

The vineyards cover 25 hectares of land, with new plantings added every year. They are located at an altitude of 400 – 600 metres above sea level. There is a strong Mediterranean influence here as well as considerable rainfall. The combination of surrounding hills, the crystal gypsum, limestone and quartz rich soils, along with the uninterrupted exposure to the winds of the valley, are moderating factors in the local mesoclimate.

Makarounas Winery has the privilege of being the only winery in Cyprus that sources grapes solely from their privately-owned vineyards. The family has a long tradition in viticulture and to this day still provide fruit to a considerable number of wineries around Cyprus. The quality of the fruit and production is overseen by Theodoros and he produces terroir driven, distinctive, and top quality wines. The winery produces wines of ample power but with excellent drinkability, with a focus on indigenous grape varieties of Cyprus and organic viticulture.

Spontaneous fermentation in smalls stainless steel tanks and malolactic fermentation. No temperature control. Maturation in mainly French oak barrels of 225, 300 and 500 litres in old use (5th to 10th fill) for 18 months. After bottling, the wine stays in the cellar for a year before market release.

Mid/deep ruby hue. Altogether quite restrained on the nose, but still saying a good deal…just quietly. Sour cherry, black plum, notes of mint and also a certain leafiness/underbrush. Quite full and expansive. Fine-grained, grippy, but altogether well-resolved tannins and balancing acidity.

Similarly styled to a Chianti Classico, this pairs beautifully with tomato based dishes, meat balls, leaner steak cuts and bean stews.