Gialeli Winery

Gialeli Winery: Wine as Art, Memory, and Culture

In a special event held at the beautiful Amyth Hotel, in the heart of old Nicosia, the new artwork by the acclaimed Cypriot artist Nikolas Ladommatos was unveiled — now proudly adorning the new label of Gialeli Winery.

During his opening remarks, the artist spoke of the deep connection he felt with the winery’s philosophy and the creative challenge of translating the wine experience into a visual language. He emphasized that the chosen painting is not a mere representation, but an emotional portrayal of the character of Xynisteri: its light, clarity, freshness, and complexity.

With an abstract style, vivid colors, and dynamic brushstrokes, the artwork does not “describe” the wine — it “feels” it, just as one senses it while tasting. It is a boundless landscape that seems to move like vine leaves through the seasons, breathing and evolving like wine in the glass.

“I wanted the painting to speak as wine does: quietly, yet with lasting impact. To leave an imprint, like a strong memory,” he said.

In his address, the winery’s oenologist, Amfilochios Polatoglou, highlighted the essence behind the label:

“Our Xynisteri comes from old, ungrafted vines thriving in Kathikas — on limestone soils with excellent drainage, at over 650 meters altitude, and just a few kilometers from the sea breeze of Akamas. Harvest is done by hand in the early morning hours to preserve the grape’s freshness and acidity. Fermentation takes place under controlled conditions, followed by four months on the lees with regular bâtonnage. Part of the wine matures in acacia and oak barrels.”

The result is an expressive, elegant Xynisteri with aromas of citrus fruits, white blossoms, ripe pear, and green apple, supported by subtle minerality. On the palate, a refined acidity and a long, slightly saline finish emerge — all authentic expressions of the Laonas-Akamas terroir and the dynamic character of this Cypriot variety.

In the historic vineyard region of Kathikas — where stone keeps the earth cool and the sun illuminates the soul of native varieties — Gialeli Winery crafts wines that do more than tell a story; they embody the living connection between place, art, and tradition.

The winery’s philosophy focuses on carefully showcasing Cypriot varieties — Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Giannoudi, Ofthalmo, and Mavro — drawing inspiration from Kathikas’ unique microclimate and limestone geology. Here, tradition meets modern creativity, and expertise transforms into emotion in every bottle.

Utilizing phylloxera-free Cypriot vines and rare old vineyards preserving the genetic heritage of the land, Gialeli Winery produces wines that are not merely products — they are living narratives honoring the past and belonging to the future.

The new artistic label, born from collaboration with the renowned Nikolas Ladommatos, is the latest expression of this philosophy. This partnership transcends the bottle’s surface: it is a dialogue between winemaking and visual art, conveying through color and movement the energy, freshness, and complexity of Xynisteri. It offers the eye what the wine offers the palate: freshness, light, and the authenticity of Cypriot terroir.

Gialeli Winery Labels:

• 100% Xynisteri — an elegant, refined white wine with partial barrel aging, available exclusively in selected wine cellars and high-end restaurants.
• Multivarietal Red Blend — from Maratheftiko, Giannoudi, Ofthalmo, and Mavro, gently aged in new oak barrels, expressing the authentic character of Cypriot soil.

Under the creative guidance of oenologist Amfilochios Polatoglou and with a vision that measures art not in numbers but in experiences, Gialeli Winery remains steadfastly committed to quality, authenticity, and the emotional dimension of wine — the dimension that evokes feelings, awakens memories, and unites people with their land.

At Gialeli Winery, art comes first. It is the beginning and the end.
For us, wine is not just taste — it is expression, color, soul, art.
Every year, a new artist is invited to dress our label with inspiration. Just as the wine inspires the winemaker, we want it to inspire the creator.
Because art begets art.