The Rise of Wine Tourism in Malta – San Niklaw Winery on a unique route through the Mediterranean

Located in the southeast of the island, in Żejtun, the San Niklaw Estate occupies a historic area that includes vineyards, a 17th-century chapel, an aging cellar, and an extensive olive grove. Officially founded in 2006, the property has belonged to the Cauchi family for three generations. John Cauchi represents the second generation in charge, while his son, Gianni Cauchi, is already part of the third generation of the winery.

More than just a productive location, the place is a living portrait of Maltese viticulture, an activity present on the island since Phoenician times and reinforced by the Romans, as John himself recalled during the visit. "It's from Roman times. There are remnants of wine production from then," Cauchi stated, explaining the family's choice of viticulture.

Handcrafted production with absolute precision.

All of San Niklaw's production is made exclusively with grapes grown on the property itself. Nothing is purchased from outside. Editions are limited, the harvest is manual and undergoes rigorous selection. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, reinforcing the commitment to structured wines with long aging potential.

Annual production is around 10,000 bottles, varying according to the weather. "We generally produce about 10,000 bottles a year, but that depends a lot on the weather. Sometimes, when it's very hot, the weather can destroy some of the grapes," explained John Cauchi.

Sustainability that begins on the land.

Over 400 olive trees are part of the landscape of the San Niklaw Estate, which also produces artisanal olive oil on a small scale. The property continuously invests in sustainable practices, focused on environmental preservation and agricultural efficiency, maintaining a balance between tradition and ecological responsibility.

Intimate tasting in a historic setting.

One of the winery's great differentiators is the tasting experience offered to visitors. John Cauchi presented the exclusive tasting room, equipped with a central table, comfortable sofas, low lighting, and typical Maltese construction. The environment was designed so that visitors feel at home, among friends, in a complete sensory experience.

During the presentation, he highlighted the concept of the winery's oldest wines. "You're going to taste two wines that are 17 years old. One of them is white, which surprises many people, because not everyone believes in the aging of white wines," said Cauchi.

Rare labels that define the winery's identity.

San Niklaw works with four main labels, all in small, highly controlled quantities.

The Contrada Syrah & Mourvèdre 2016 expresses the power of the Maltese sun. According to John, "Syrah grows very well here, loves the sun, produces very concentrated and complex wines that constantly change in the glass."

The Kappella Mourvèdre 2015 is a rare single-varietal wine on the island. "It's an unusual grape, few people know it. We produce very small quantities, but it's an incredible wine," he emphasized.

The Despatch Sangiovese 2008 has one of the most curious histories of the winery. The name pays homage to an old merchant ship called Despatch, which sailed routes between Malta and Italy. The wine gained international prominence by winning a blind tasting against three great Tuscan labels. "It was voted the best wine of the night, surpassing three Tuscans," recalled Cauchi.

Neptunus Vermentino, on the other hand, impresses with its minerality. The wine presents notes of petroleum and dried fruit, characteristics that are uncommon in white wines. "When you smell it, you perceive notes of petroleum, like in some German Rieslings. This shows the minerality of the wine," he explained.

Harmonization that enhances local cuisine.

While the Cauchi family presented the house's four labels, chef Karl Mallia, from the Cooking Out of the Box project, was responsible for pairing the dishes. Each wine was combined with recipes that dialogue with the flavors of the Mediterranean and the ingredients of Malta, creating a gastronomic experience that reinforces the island's identity.

Wines made for a select few.

San Niklaw supplies only very select restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments in Malta, as well as specialty wine shops. Exports to London were once made, but were interrupted after the pandemic due to a significant increase in logistical costs.

The goal was never volume, but exclusivity. Each bottle is born with the mission of representing not just a style, but centuries of history, extreme climate, manual labor, and a philosophy that values ​​time.

The Rise of Wine Tourism in Malta

In the municipality of Paola, two historic Maltese wine houses stand out: Emmanuel Delicata, founded in 1907, and Marsovin, a benchmark in the modernization of the sector. In Siġġiewi, small-scale projects are emerging, such as the elegant Mar Casar and the sophisticated Ta' Betta Wine Estates, both surrounded by limestone hills and a preserved rural climate. In Ta' Qali, in the heart of Malta, lies Meridiana Wine Estate, known for transforming warm, limestone soils into labels with a strong Mediterranean identity. The island of Gozo brings together some of the most artisanal gems, such as Ta' Mena and Tal-Massar, producers that keep the Goan agricultural tradition alive. Meanwhile, San Niklaw Estate, located between Żejtun, Marsaxlokk, and Marsascala, reinforces the insular characteristic of small properties distributed in micro-territories of cultivation.

Despite being a small country, Malta offers a surprisingly sophisticated wine production, marked by boutique wineries and local producers who often welcome visitors in person. The result is a unique and exclusive luxury wine route — experiences and labels that, more often than not, can only be tasted in Malta.

Reporting and photos: Mary de Aquino.