Paphos, Cyprus. A lesser-known wine-producing area east of Paphos, the Diarizos Valley, is home to Nelion, a small boutique winery near the village of Pretori. The stone-built winery produces limited quantities of low-intervention wines from family vineyards.
Diarizos Valley and the Nelion winery
The Diarizos Valley is described as a hidden-gem region on the route climbing toward the Troodos mountains. Outside the village of Pretori, the Nelion winery was built mainly from stone in a traditional style and was named after its owners, Neofytos and Eleni Ioannou.
Nelion produced its first wines in 1996 and has become a destination for locals and tourists seeking remote winery visits. The family sources fruit from its own vineyards, using seven varieties to produce about 35,000 bottles, a scale that allows close attention to detail.
Wine notes and prices
A delicately fizzy sparkling wine is described as lively and fresh, with notes of ripe white peach, golden apple, Asian pear and citrus, along with minerality and a touch of salinity. Suggested pairings include prawn with light curry sauce and coconut rice or a seasonal fruit summer salad. Price: €19.
The 2025 Nelion Winery 2 Rizes Xynisteri, Pafos PGI (ABV 12.5%) is a blend from two vineyards. It is described as straw yellow, with aromas of pear, peach and apricot, pineapple in the background, citrus fruits, hawthorn and floral notes. It is noted as balanced with soft acidity and flavors of white peach and grapefruit, followed by mineral and saline notes. Price: €9.50.
The 2025 Rkaes 758 Single Vineyard Xynisteri Acacia Barrels, PGI Pafos (ABV 12.5%) is described as crisp and refreshing, light yellow with greenish tints. Aromas include citrus blossoms, grapefruit, stone fruits, aromatic herbs, acacia blossoms, and freshly cut grass from the lees. It is described as medium-bodied, smooth and zesty, with citrus acidity, mineral character, fresh-snipped greens, white peach, lime, and hints of yellow fruit and green herbs. A suggested pairing is seafood, including sauteed prawns with olive oil, garlic, sweet paprika and saffron. Price: €14.
The 2023 Nelion Winery Meletses Single Vineyard oak aged Xynisteri, PGI Pafos (ABV 13%) is listed.
Which of these Nelion Xynisteri bottlings would you most like to try?