LOEL

Forging the

history of Cypriot wine

In 1943, in the midst of adverse socio-economic conditions, exacerbated by the 2nd World War, a group of progressive winegrowers and striking workers from another wine industry, established in Limassol the People’s Distillery Company of Limassol (LOEL), the first wine industry in Cyprus organised in the form of a joint-stock company.

In 1943, in the midst of adverse socio-economic conditions, exacerbated by the 2nd World War, a group of progressive winegrowers and striking workers from another wine industry, established in Limassol the People’s Distillery Company of Limassol (LOEL), the first wine industry in Cyprus organised in the form of a joint-stock company.

In essence, it was the first public Company in Cyprus, with thousands of shareholders, most of whom winegrowers.

The first products were spirits and wines, made from indigenous varieties, while in the mid-1950s LOEL expanded its range, using grapes from all Cyprus regions.

In the 1980s, the company developed new lines of innovative wines such as Palomino and Nectaria.

1996 was a landmark year for LOEL, with the production and commercial success of the first Zivania of Cyprus. This was an original, traditional Cypriot spirit, a product that the pioneering action of LOEL’s people established as the national drink of Cyprus.

The new LOEL Winery, recently inaugurated, was the result of painstaking and systematic work by the people of the Laikos Group, to which LOEL belongs since 2002.

2016 saw the launching of the processes for the planning and construction of the new state-of-the-art LOEL winery.

Construction work began in October 2018 and concluded in November 2019, with the installation of new and in many cases innovative equipment.

The LOEL Winery in Agios Sylas is perhaps the most modern winery of its size and category, with the simultaneous capability of vinifying large quantities of grapes and micro-vinification of selected fine varieties with the goal of producing and promoting high quality wines from native and other varieties.

In addition, LOEL, as the company emphasizes, “it’s initiatives are testament to the company’s steadfast support to the Cypriot winegrower by receiving millions of kilos of grapes every year”.

Timeless vision

LOEL, closing on eight decades of which closes in one year, 80 years of uninterrupted activity in wine production, is building the vision of once again becoming a reliable leader in and continue to defend, through sheer work and sacrifice, the dominant position that everyone recognises in the production of Zivania and Commandaria and adequately serve the Cypriot market, but also look forward to new successes in foreign markets.

As noted by the company, “the LOEL Winery in Agios Sylas is today perhaps the most modern of its size and category, with the simultaneous possibility of vinification of large quantities as well as micro- vinification, aimed at the production and promotion of Cypriot wine, of native varieties, as well as supporting the Cypriot viticulturist by receiving millions of kgs of grapes every year.

They further add ‘that the company has remained an innovator throughout its history and continues with the same ambition, introducing new equipment and methods that lead to award-winning products’.

Values and principles

Social solidarity and cooperation with hard working vine growers who sought better conditions for the sale of their products and payment worthy of their efforts.

Inevitably, when we are asked this question, our thoughts turn back to those tough early years where the enlightened thinking, enthusiasm and determination of a handful of pioneering winegrowers and workers overcame the prejudice and difficulties of the time to create here in Limassol, the first large joint-stock spirits company, the People’s Wine Company of Limassol’.

‘This is the company’, LOEL adds, ‘that in almost 80 years of life was destined for greatness in the field’.

At the core of its values is also ‘a timeless commitment to forging a creative contribution in the wine industry development of our country’.

A steadfast supporter of tradition

LOEL has always supported Cypriot tradition, through active participation in the local wine festival and international events, strengthening Cypriot wine culture both home and abroad. Many of its products have been a source of artistic creation.

LOEL is made for the Cypriot

The Limassol People’s Distillery Company (LOEL) in the 1960s was the first company to open up large markets for Cyprus wine and other spirits in the former Soviet Union, the former German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia and other countries in the former Eastern bloc.

At the same time, the Sherry wines of LOEL and the legendary ALASIA Commandaria are spreading their winds to new commercial heights, both in the aforementioned markets, as well as the UK. Wherever there is a Cypriot, LOEL is there…

Wide range of products

Today, LOEL produces a wide range of wines for all tastes and preferences, such as the aged ones of the ” Evambelos Gi” series, the new family of Cypriot varieties known to the public under the name “Morfes”, the new “Polyfimos” series with varietal wines and also the Pikoili wines of the ” Anthea ” family, being amongst the most well-known. In addition, LOEL also produces quality spirits and juices for the local market as well as for export.

Popular base

In the meantime, as a company with a popular base, LOEL was always led by notable personalities of Limassol who guided the company to major successes, achievements and pioneering production.

LOEL received a significant boost by the management of the new Laiko Group, contribution to a new era for the company and its products.

A company from the bowels of Cypriot society

LOEL has left an indelible mark on wine products in Cyprus as an innovative, pioneering company, supporting the local producer for almost 80 years. It recently opened its new winery, arguably the most modern on the island. CEO Kyriakos Hatzittofis, spoke about history and future.

What is it like to lead an eight decades long organisation that was the first public company of Cyprus?

It is undoubtedly a great honor but also a great responsibility.

Honor for the trust placed in me by the management of the Laiko Group, and responsibility towards history and the pioneers who established and nurtured this organisation as well as the need to continue its upward trajectory and establish it as a reliable partner in wine production and other major alcoholic beverages, establishing LOEL as a leader.

What are your priorities regarding traditional products such as Zivania and Commandaria?

These successful traditional products needed development and innovation for their market introduction through the sheer hard work of our people. Success requires systematic effort from all those involved in the production process. These elements have always been part and parcel of our work ethic. But complacency is not advisable on the changing markets. Under new conditions, we are called upon to regain our glory in wine production.

Modern winery

What are your expectations following the construction of the new LOEL Winery?

Joy and pride as a great vision of the people of LOEL and the People’s Group was realised in the best possible way, a vindication for all of us.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that this is perhaps the most modern and well-equipped winery in Cyprus that can work both in micro-vinification conditions but also manage large quantities of grapes with full efficiency and efficiency.

Proof of the truth is in results. In 3 years of operation, our Winery has already won 5 awards for 3 wines that we produced and matured here.

Our immediate goal is for all LOEL activities to be relocated and integrated into this space, creating new advantages in every aspect.

The new winery carries forward the history and vision of our early pioneers.

LOEL DNA

What does the history bring to present and future?

It conveys the rich experiences in the production and marketing of innovative quality products. And this is not just a figure of speech. LOEL has always been recognised as a source of products with exceptional quality, developed by pioneers and innovators.

Unique quality wines in production conditions unprecedented in Cyprus, such as the controlled fermentation and packaging, such as the wine in the boz or the unique Zivana, a whole chapter in itself.

This guides us in our daily quest to move further into the new era.

What determined the LOEL DNA?

It was definitely determined by the will and determination of the poor farmers and workers of 1943, but also their unprecedented enthusiasm, which overcame the poverty, prejudices and difficulties of their time and opened new roads with the establishment of the first large joint-stock spirits company, the People’s Distillery Company of Limassol, LOEL.

These are our origins and DNA. And what everyone recognises about our company is creative presence in the country’s wine industry. It has been the most steadfast supporter of the Cypriot winegrower, those who sought better sale conditions for their products.

Memorable moments

Important moments?

Undoubtedly when I first joined the company in March 1989; from that moment on I felt this was not just a simple job. I joined a family that offered everyone opportunities for advancement, professional and social recognition through the company’s various activities and initiatives.

I cherish those years, colleagues and partners, as well as the hundreds of winegrowers who flocked to LOEL from every corner of Cyprus to bring their grapes and ask to know how the company is doing.

The company was a real honey bee at the time, people centered, in solidarity with the working class.

Our greatest moment was 2019, when the persistent efforts of everyone in the Group and company paid off and we started receiving the first grape quantities at our new Ayios Sylas facilities. A new era was beginning.

Social action

How much importance does the organization attach to corporate social responsibility?

Born from the bowels of Cypriot society with pioneering people of the working class, we would not be able to walk through our daily lives and successes separated from them.

We support many charity events throughout Cyprus. We are a sponsor of sport and culture, strongly behind various cultural and artistic programmes across all local authorities.

Along with our colleagues and partners from Laiko Group – Cosmos Trading Ltd, we take part in environmental awareness campaigns and relevant actions, such as cleaning the urban and marine areas of our cities and communities.

Optimism is the way forward

As we are set to celebrate eight decades of life, we look to the future with optimism. We are judged by our actions. LOEL has always been about knowledge, discipline and prudence. To this end, we have created a team of young and capable executives. We are truly proud of their work and achievements.

1943 The People’s Distillery Company of Limassol (LOEL) is established in Limassol, the first wine industry in Cyprus to be organised in the form of a joint-stock company.

1950 In the mid-50s, LOEL expands its production and series of products, relocating to a privately owned factory near the Limassol port.

1960 In the 1960s, it was the first to open major markets for wine and spirits in the former Soviet Union, the former German Democratic Republic, Czechoslovakia and other former Eastern bloc countries, making Cypriot wines popular. In addition, the Sherry wines of LOEL and the legendary Commandaria ALASIA spread their wings to the aforementioned markets as well as the UK.

1970 Brandies dominate and LOEL responds with the popular VO 43, VO Leipzig and later the uniquely aged MASTERS XO.

1980 A dynamic market presence in the 80s through the Palomino Blanco variety under the brand name “Palomino” and the ‘Nectaria’ variety.

1996 A turning point for LOEL with the production and commercial success of the first Zivania in Cyprus.

2002 LOEL incorporated into the People’s Group.

2016 The successful commercial baton is taken up by “Zivana Gold ” aged in oak barrels of French origin for at least 3 years.

2019 Construction of the new state-of-the-art winery of LOEL, in Agios Sylas in Limassol, is completed and new wines are established based primarily on native varieties but also on selected foreign ones.

Major awards

For almost 80 years, LOEL has remained a leader in wine and spirits production.

Over time it has secured numerous distinctions and awards in many international competitions, also receiving local acclaim, with the establishment of the Cyprus Wine Competition Awards.

Offering high-quality products, it continues on its upward trajectory.

Three major distinctions for Commandaria ALASIA 2005 confirm that it is currently the best in Cyprus by a long distance.

  • Grand Gold Medal at the 13th Cyprus Wine Competition
  • Gold Medal at IWSC 2022 (International Wine & Spirit Competition)
  • Gold Medal at Superior Taste Award, with 3 stars.

Maratheytiko Evampelos Gi ‘ Oak Matured ‘ 2019 won the Silver Medal at the 13th Cyprus Wine Competition.

Polyfimos, Red Dry Wine of 2019 stole the show, winning a Bronze Medal at the IWSC 2022 ( International Wine & Spirit Competition ).

This is only but a fraction of the awards won by LOEL Winery products.

Address.

209, Limassol Avenue, 2540 Dhali Industrial Area
P.O. Box 21819,

1513 Nicosia, Cyprus

Telephone.

+357 22 717300