Other museums
The Cyprus Wine Museum
Information
Official Name: The Cyprus Wine Museum
Region: Lemesos (Limassol)
Address: Pafos Street, 42, Erimi village, 13km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.67504 Lon: 32.91658
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 873 808 / 9, Fax: +357 25 821 718
Operating Hours: Daily: 09:00 – 17:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Adults €4,00 or €5,00 with tasting / Children free (under 12).
Website: www.cypruswinemuseum.com
Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
The Cyprus Wine Museum is located in Erimi, the birthplace of European wine, with a winemaking history spanning over 5,500 years. The building stands at the most important historical and commercial crossroads of the island: the old Limassol–Paphos road, the road to Kolossi Castle (home of Commandaria), the road to ancient Kourion, and the road leading to the wine villages of Limassol.
It was founded by composer Anastasia Guy and began operating in 2004. The inauguration was held by the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos. It is likely the only wine museum in the world that showcases 55 centuries of winemaking history and the wine routes of a country.
The museum features a unique thematic exhibition and a collection of archaeological finds, along with a series of wine-related exhibits. Many items and collections are on loan from the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, the Pierides Museum of Marfin Laiki Bank, and others. The museum’s policy is to offer live guided tours of its exhibitions and wine tastings of Cypriot grape varieties to both individual visitors and organized groups.
Visitors are taken on a unique journey through 5,500 years of Cypriot winemaking, with insights into the storage, use, and trade of wine from antiquity to the present day. It highlights the significance of the vine, grape, and wine in the arts, showcases indigenous grape varieties, and explores the uniqueness and history of one of the oldest wines still in production—Commandaria (Nama). The museum is part of the “Wine Routes” and is featured in official publications of the Cyprus Tourism Organization and other international publishers.
The Cyprus Wine Museum is housed in a two-story stone building.
First Floor Includes:
• Guided tour – A retrospective of 5,500 years of European wine history
• Exhibits from various periods of Cyprus’s wine history, from antiquity to today
• Photographic and audiovisual material
Ground Floor (St. Hilarion Hall) Includes:
• Wine Routes (Permanent exhibition of wine products from approved wineries)
• Guided tour / information on indigenous grape varieties
• Information on the current state of Cypriot wine
• Wine tasting
• Shop (Bottles of local wine, traditional delicacies and vine-based products, books, museum souvenirs)
Outdoor Areas:
• Two large stone-paved courtyards connected to each other.
◦ The “Commandaria” courtyard (east of the building) features an exhibition of zivania distillers, wine presses, etc.
◦ The “Knights” courtyard (west of the building) is a landscaped outdoor space for cultural events, conferences, and more.
Ample parking available
Historical Timeline – Key Events
1998: Concept development and initial actions
2001: Approval and inclusion in the Cyprus Tourism Organization’s development plans
2002–2004: Construction works
2004:
◦ Enrichment of the museum’s collections with archaeological items on loan from various institutions
◦ Inauguration by President Tassos Papadopoulos
2005:
◦ Official road signage approved by ministerial decision for access from archaeological sites and public roads
◦ Promotion and coverage in local and international publications
◦ Inclusion in educational and tourist excursions
◦ Approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture as a suitable museum venue for visits by all public schools, including kindergartens
2006:
◦ Establishment of the Cyprus Wine Museum Art and Culture Association
◦ Licensing of a model vineyard
◦ Launch of the website www.cypruswinemuseum.com with high visitor traffic
2009–2011:
◦ Development of partnerships with domestic and international museums, organizations, and institutions
◦ Organization of joint exhibitions, presentations, and more
2009:
◦ First publications by Cyprus Wine Museum Publications