The first commercial wine project in North Cyprus was established in 2000 in the village of Geçitköy, west of Lapta, with the aid of an international wine consultant and founder member of the Association of Wine Educators. But the history of winemaking in Cyprus can be traced back nearly 6,000 years. Indeed, in 2005 a team of archaeologists concluded that some Chalcolithic wine jars, which were discovered in Erimi in the 1930s, were the oldest of their kind in the world, dating back to 3,500 BC.
A variety of wines are today produced by wineries from grapes grown in the vineyards at Geçitköy, Güzelyurt as well as in Ilgaz, set high upon the hills of the Five Finger Mountains overlooking the Mediterranean. Wines are further produced from grapes purchased from local farmers.
Resident artisan vintners use their knowledge and cultural heritage by creating distinguished wines from Cypriot Soil. Bud breaks occur in early spring with harvest commencing generally towards the beginning of August, handpicking from both time-honed traditions and modern technology.
Grape vines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Semillon, the reds include Merlot, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Grenache, and the whites Chardonnay, Semillon, and Chenin Blanc. Visitors to some of these vineyards are provided with complete insight and experience of the Cypriot wine culture. During the complete wine-making process, from the planting of the vines to the final production of wines, visitors can choose from a wide selection of tours, wine education courses, lectures, and much more to enhance the whole wine culture experience. Naturally, wine-tasting events are held throughout the year.