A boost of optimism and a balm for the wounds left by the destructive summer wildfires — wounds that will take years to heal, yet will not disappear — was provided to the winemakers of Limassol district by this year’s Wine Festival. The event took place in the aftermath of the fiery devastation, sending a message of resilience and unity, as stated to “Entrepreneurial Limassol” by the CEO of KEO and President of the Cyprus Winemakers Association (SOK), Mr. Charalambos Panagiotou.
As he emphasized, “Especially this year, every event that expresses support for the affected wineries is extremely important.” Mr. Panagiotou underlined that since 1961, when it was held for the first time, up to the present day, the Wine Festival — together with the Carnival — has been the most emblematic event in Limassol, significantly contributing to the city’s identity. “Its form has evolved over the years and reflects the modern needs of residents, as it has been enriched with many other traditional activities,” he noted.
According to him, in the past, only the four major Limassol wineries — KEO, LOEL, SODAP, and ETKO — participated in the Festival. Today, both large industries and small regional wineries take part. “It took considerable effort to bring the local wineries together. There were differences regarding the image each winery wanted to project, but gradually we managed to improve the overall presentation of the event,” he said.
In collaboration with the Limassol Municipality, changes were implemented that substantially upgraded the Festival’s image. “For example, the serving glass was replaced with the classic stemmed wine glass, while the wineries’ booths now convey a more modern and appealing image,” he said. Additionally, new activities were introduced, such as lectures, wine tastings, and events in neighborhoods or wine villages of Limassol.
Mr. Panagiotou clarified that wine sales at the Festival are not an end in themselves, although they are important. “The main goal is the promotion of Cypriot wine and the identity of each winery,” he explained. Visitors, he added, “have the opportunity to taste different wines, learn about varieties and meet the people of the sector, all within a spirit of collectivity and cooperation.”
The SOK President also stressed the need to support wineries affected by the fires. “Despite announcements, there was no substantial response from the state. The wineries lost their raw materials, which cannot simply be replaced with grapes from elsewhere. Each label has its own local characteristics,” he said, calling for specific support measures.
In a similar vein, but with different priorities, spoke Markos Zambartas, President of the WINECORE consortium. As he told “Entrepreneurial Limassol”, the Wine Festival positively impacts winemakers as it brings them closer to the public and provides the opportunity for visitors to discover and taste their wines. “This is beneficial both for the promotion of Cypriot wine in general and for showcasing each winery individually,” he said.
While acknowledging the event’s significance, Mr. Zambartas stressed the need for further enhancement. “The Festival has improved, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Wine is a noble product and should be offered with services and products that maintain good value for money,” he noted.
He explained that the festival targets a wide audience but could evolve to attract those who currently avoid it. “I do not agree with that view, but it is a message that has been sent and needs to change,” he added. The WINECORE President also suggested a gastronomic upgrade to the event, involving young chefs from Limassol. “They could cook street food with Cypriot elements, something creative and imaginative that pairs well with wine and also showcases their restaurants.
He further emphasized that the timing of the Festival — during the harvest — creates participation difficulties for small, family-run wineries that lack marketing or sales staff. “There is no reason for the Festival to take place during the harvest. It could be moved after October 15. Moreover, it is held by the sea, without any connection to wine production,” he noted.
Mr. Zambartas also proposed that the Limassol Municipality convene a meeting with winemakers to exchange opinions and ideas regarding the Festival’s improvement. “It would be useful to hear more voices,” he said. Finally, he pointed out that while the Municipality rightly focuses on attracting visitors, more emphasis could be given to the wine itself. “The slogan is ‘come to the Festival and have a good time.’ But emphasis could also be placed on the trade of wine, he concluded.
