On the 25th of November 2019, a group of 25 Erasmus students from Regional Gymnasium of Livadia visited the Commandaria Wine Museum in Zoopigi. Commandaria is an amber-coloured sweet dessert wine produced in the Commadanria region in Cyprus. It got its name from La Grande Commanderie, a large feudal estate at Kolossi near Limassol. The area was hosting military barracks and while it was under control by the Knights Templar it became known as Commandaria. The Commandaria Museum was established by the Winery of Commandaria in Zoopigi and Community Council of Zoopigi. Later farmers and Commandaria producers form 13 villages in the region joined the initiative.

The Commandaria Museum experience is made up from travelling through the history of Commandaria through the historical exhibition of the development of Commandaria making along ages in combination with the history of the island, a tasting and several activities run through the year.

During the visit, students learned about the history of Commandaria Wine in Cyprus. They visited the old winery which is adjoined to the museum and it has been operating since 1940. They had the opportunity to see live the unique procedure for the production of Commandaria as it is still in use. They visited the exhibition area of the museum which consists of the ground floor with a reception, and a shop, and the history of the Commandaria which was exhibited through photographic and other material as well as antique storage containers and tanks, with the unique smell and aroma from different herbs and spices.

At level 1 there were exhibits and objects related to the production of this liqueur wine and several rituals from antiquity to the present day. At level 2, there was a milti-purpose room for Seminars, Conferences and workshops, a wine-testing room, a restaurant and coffee shop with magnificent views to the vineyards. Students had lunch at the restaurant, and they enjoyed looking at the vineyards. 

At the upper floor, students had the opportunity to see the old machinery for producing wine.

During this visit to the Commandaria Museum, students became more aware of the wine heritage of Cyprus. They learned about the history of making Commandaria wine and they understood how important is the historical and cultural value of the oldest wine for Cyprus.