FOCUS ON... Marathasa Wines
02/10/2023
Nestled in the stunning Marathasa Valley, a beautiful and fertile area in the Troödos Mountains of Cyprus, Marathasa Wines is all about one man's big dream and a lot of hard work. John Papadouris, a construction worker turned wine enthusiast, had a vision to revive the valley's wine heritage - and while not the first to dream about establishing a winery (don't we all...?) John went ahead and enlisted his daughter Alexa, her husband Andrew and their cousin Stavros. Together, the family is making this dream a reality. (They've also got Victoras, a wizard of a viticulturist and winemaker, making the magic happen in the cellar - and our own Richard Household along for the ride!)
Pride of a Valley: Tradition Runs Deep
Marathasa Valley takes its name from the plant Marathos, a type of fennel which grows in the area. The mountainsides of the valley have been draped in vines for centuries. Families from the nearby villages have been growing grapes and making wine from local varieties for generations - when Richard visited for the first time he loved seeing the small-scale wine presses in every back garden or basement. It's a tradition that runs deep.
A Family History Soaked in Wine
Wine is practically in John's blood. As a kid, he had to do his part stomping grapes before earning his playtime. His grandpa was a wine merchant who roamed the region, lugging wineskins on donkeys. He'd fill them with the finest wines from village folks and set off on treks to sell Marathasa's famous wine. But as people began to leave the mountain villages in the 1940s and 50s for city life and foreign jobs, the mountain wine trade started to fade.
New Beginnings: Breathing Life Back into the Vineyards
In 2014, Marathasa Wines began its quest to rescue the valley's winemaking heritage. They bought up abandoned vineyards and lovingly nurtured the old vines, keeping the traditional methods alive. On other plots, they literally carved terraces into the steep mountainsides and planted new vines. It's a mix of old-school charm and modern techniques, reigniting the spirit of winemaking in the region.
Joining the Ranks of Cyprus' Fine Wine Producers
Today, Marathasa Wines stands tall, proudly reviving the valley's winemaking history. They're not just preserving tradition; they're also adding to Cyprus' growing community of fine-wine producers. It's a tale of passion, hard work, and a deep love for the past while embracing the future. Marathasa Wines isn't just making great wine; they're making history, one bottle at a time. At Brompton Wine we are thrilled to support this exciting endeavour and are confident the wine stands up to the story - we hope that you will try and enjoy as we have.
