Lis & Pelagitis – Two New Distinguished Releases from Vlassides Winery

Inspired by the Cypriot vineyard and the broader Greek wine heritage, Vlassides Winery introduces two distinctive new releases: the red Lis and the white Pelagitis. Two wines with different personalities, yet united by the same philosophy — respect for the grape variety, thoughtful winemaking, and a deep commitment to expressing the character of the place from which they come.

Lis is a red wine crafted from the Agiorgitiko variety, inspired both by the Cypriot vineyard and by the historic Greek origins of the grape. Its name derives from the ancient Greek word for lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, and alludes to Nemea — the historic birthplace of Agiorgitiko.

In our vineyards in Koilani, the soils and climatic conditions closely resemble those of mountainous Nemea. The altitude, the significant diurnal temperature variations and the balance between sunshine and cool mountain air create an ideal environment for the expression of Agiorgitiko. The result is a wine of intensity, depth and structure.

The winemaking process follows a careful approach that respects the natural character of the fruit. After alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine matures for twelve months in French oak barrels of second, third and fourth use. It then continues to evolve in bottle for an additional three years before its release, allowing the wine to develop greater structure and complexity. Bottled unfiltered, Lis preserves its authentic character and depth. In the glass it reveals aromas of ripe red and dark fruits, sweet spices and subtle oak notes, while the palate shows a rich body, refined tannins and excellent ageing potential exceeding fifteen years.

Alongside it, Pelagitis expresses the dynamic character of Assyrtiko in an island environment that shares affinities with its birthplace. The name derives from the ancient Greek word “pelagitis,” referring to the sea, and evokes the volcanic island of Santorini, the historic origin of the variety.

In Cyprus, the Assyrtiko grape finds a new yet familiar environment in which to express itself. The island shares the same sea as its birthplace, while Cyprus’ limestone soils lend the wine structure, vibrancy and mineral character, allowing us to craft a mature white wine with depth and balance.

The winemaking approach for Pelagitis combines freshness with complexity. After harvest, the grapes are cooled and gently pressed as whole clusters in order to preserve their aromatic purity. Fermentation takes place primarily in stainless steel tanks, while a small portion of the wine ferments in 300-litre French oak barrels, contributing additional structure and complexity.

The wine then remains on its fine lees for ten months before bottling. Prior to bottling, a blend is created between the wine matured in stainless steel tanks and the portion fermented in oak barrels. In the 2022 vintage, the final composition consisted of 90% stainless steel and 10% oak. The wine then continues its evolution in bottle for two additional years before release.

In the glass, Pelagitis displays a bright lemon colour with green highlights. The nose reveals aromas of citrus fruits such as lemon and lime, combined with notes of green apple and white peach. Subtle mineral tones and delicate secondary hints of light toast from oak add complexity. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity, medium body and moderate alcohol. Flavours of lemon, lime and green apple dominate, accompanied by a characteristic stony minerality. The presence of oak remains subtle and well integrated, adding texture without overshadowing the fruit. The finish is clean, mineral and persistent. Thanks to the naturally high acidity of Assyrtiko, the wine possesses excellent ageing potential of up to ten years.

These two new releases represent different expressions of the philosophy of Vlassides Winery: the pursuit of authentic varietal expression through place, time and careful craftsmanship. Lis and Pelagitis are two distinctive wine narratives that connect the Cypriot landscape with the broader Greek winemaking heritage, highlighting the potential of these varieties within the contemporary Mediterranean wine world.