Chris BerryFounder, Wine Underdogs — chasing the world’s overlooked grapesMorokanella is a white grape that Cyprus nearly lost. According to Zambartas Wineries, it was widespread early in the Ottoman period and then declined under taxation. Today a few producers make it into a dry, lightly perfumed white.
Say it: moh-roh-kah-NEH-lahrecorded by Anastasia Konstantopoulou
The grape in brief
It is white, and every source we checked agrees on that. It has female flowers, like Maratheftiko and Yiannoudi, according to José Vouillamoz on JancisRobinson.com, who calls it rare today.
The name is a small puzzle. Vouillamoz translates it as "little cinnamon," for reasons nobody knows. Wine writer George Kassianos offers a different origin, from words for berries and a knitted basket (Cyprus Mail). The two explanations conflict, and we have no way to settle it.
It was long confused with Vasilissa, which looks similar.
Head Oenologist Anastasia Konstantopoulou of LionSpirit Winery & Distillery groups it with the grapes Cyprus is still learning, where winemakers are "learning what their real potential and typicity are."
What it tastes like, according to whom
- Justin Keay in The Buyer, on Gerolemo's bottling: rounded, slightly off-dry and lightly perfumed, with white peach, recalling Alsace.
- George Kassianos: stone fruit, citrus peel, quince, almond and white flowers, with medium to full body.
- Aes Ambelis: white peach, quince, wild flowers, and yes, cinnamon.
Who makes it
Aes Ambelis, Gerolemo, Vasilikon and Vouni Panayia, according to the sources above.
Where to find a bottle
wine.com had none on 25 September 2026. Wine-Searcher's US listings showed one visible US listing that day, a Vouni Panayia bottle at about $68, and we could not confirm from the listing that it is a varietal Morokanella. Ask the shop before you buy.
Read more in Cyprus wine grapes, from a head oenologist.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Morokanella a red or white grape?
White. Every source we checked, including Cyprus Mail, Aes Ambelis and JancisRobinson.com, describes it as a white variety.
What does the name Morokanella mean?
Sources disagree. José Vouillamoz translates it as 'little cinnamon', while George Kassianos links it to words for berries and a knitted basket.
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