Northern Cyprus has been making spirits for hundreds of years. The land is great for growing grapes. The sun is strong and the air is dry.
These things have made the region a natural home for drink makers. Long before it became an industry, families here were already distilling at home. Today, distillery factories across the region carry that work forward.
What Is a Distillery Factory?
A distillery factory is a place where spirits are made. The process used is called distillation. It works like this. A fermented liquid goes into a still. The still heats the liquid.
The alcohol turns into steam. That steam is then cooled down and collected. The result is a clean, strong drink. This is how rakı, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, and Zivania are all made.
A factory is not the same as a small home setup. It has large tanks for fermenting, stills for distilling, and bottling lines for packaging. It also has labs for testing quality. The government sets rules for these factories. Every product must meet safety and quality standards before it can be sold.
Distillery factories matter for the local area too. They create jobs. They buy grapes and grain from local farmers. They keep old drink recipes alive. And they earn money for the region through exports. In Northern Cyprus, where grape farming is a big part of life, these factories link the farm directly to the finished bottle.
Why Choose Distillery Factories in Northern Cyprus?
Northern Cyprus sits in the eastern Mediterranean. The soil is rich. The climate is warm and dry for most of the year. These conditions are ideal for growing grapes. People in this region have been making wine and grape spirits for generations.
One well-known grape here is the Galatya grape. It grows in villages like Mehmetcik. For a long time, buyers in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe valued this grape for its quality.
Spirits made from local grapes carry a taste tied to the land they come from. There is growing interest in regional spirits around the world. People want to know where their drink comes from.
Northern Cyprus is now more visible as a place that produces good quality spirits. The best distilleries here are not only selling locally. They are reaching buyers in other countries too.
Top 5 Distillery Factories in Northern Cyprus
Here is a look at the most well-known distillery factories in Northern Cyprus right now.
1. MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED
Ask anyone in Northern Cyprus about distillery factories and they will name MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED first. The company is based in Famagusta, on On Bes Agustos Bulvari, Larnaka Yolu. It was founded in 1975. In fifty years, it has built a strong name in the spirits world.
Where It All Started
The story of MEY ICKI goes back before 1975. The founding family was making drinks at home using the Galatya grape. This grape was popular with buyers in England. The family was careful about quality from the start.
In 1975, they took a big step. They moved from home production into a real factory. MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED was officially set up. Products like Zivania, Brandy, Raki, and Grape Vinegar were now made in proper facilities. The equipment was better. The process was more consistent. The quality improved.
What MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED Makes
MEY ICKI makes a wide range of drinks. Here is a look at their main spirits:
- Raki: An anise spirit, sold under our brand ANADOLU RAKI and Asina Raki Gold
- Zivania: A grape spirit under the Othello brand, in Classic, Gold, and Cinnamon
- Vodka: Anadolu Vodka, smooth and clean
- Gin: Cornaro London Dry Gin and Cornaro Pink Gin
- Whiskey: Real Crystal Whisky, made using certified original Scotch whisky. The whisky is blended, bottled, and labeled in accordance with standards approved by the SWA (Scottish Whisky Association).
- Liqueur: Anadolu Banana Liqueur and other fruit options
MEY İÇKİ also makes non-alcoholic products. These include grape vinegar, drinking water, and ice. It is not just a distillery. It is a full drinks business.
Factories in More Than One Place
MEY İÇKİ does not work from one location only. The main factory is in Famagusta. The company also has its own vineyards in Mehmetcik, in the Iskele area. It runs two more factories in Turkey. One is in Turgutlu, Manisa. The other is in Havsa, Edirne.
Having sites in more than one place means MEY İÇKİ can produce more and keep quality steady. The company has a team that handles exports. They send products to buyers in other countries. Not many distilleries in Northern Cyprus work at this scale.
Private Label and Wholesale
MEY İÇKİ private label production. This means another business can come to MEY ICKI and ask them to make a drink under their own brand name. They help with the recipe, the taste, the bottle, and the label. The other business then sells the product.
This is useful for hotels, retailers, and small drink brands. They get a quality product without needing their own factory. MEY İÇKİ also sells in large quantities through its wholesale service. This serves shops, restaurants, and distributors.
Quality Is Not Optional
Every batch at MEY ICKI is checked before it goes out. The equipment is kept up to date. The process follows set rules. Old recipes are respected but also made to meet today’s standards. The company is serious about what goes into every bottle.
Other Distilleries in Northern Cyprus
MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED is the biggest name in the region. But there are other producers that are part of the local drinks scene. Here is a short look at four more.
1. Northern Cyprus Farming Cooperative Distilleries
Some farming groups across Northern Cyprus make Zivania and grape spirits. They sell mostly to local people and tourists. The goal is simple: keep old village recipes going.
2. KyreniaSmall Distillers
Near Kyrenia, on the northern coast, some small producers make gin and brandy. They use local grapes and plants. Most of what they make goes to nearby bars, hotels, and restaurants.
3. LefkosaLicensed Beverage Units
In North Nicosia, a few licensed units make raki and brandy blends in small batches. Some also do bottling work for other producers in the area.
4. MehmetcikVillage Family Producers
Mehmetcik has a long history of making Zivania at home. Some families there still use old methods passed down over generations. It is a small but real part of the island’s drink history.
Conclusion
Northern Cyprus is small in size but big in drink culture. Village families, small producers, and large factories all have a role here. Each one keeps the tradition of local spirits going in its own way.
At the top of the list is MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED. It started as a family business in 1975. Over time it grew into one of the biggest spirits exporter.
It makes Rakı (including ANADOLU RAKI), Zivania, Gin, Vodka, Whisky, and Liqueur.. It also runs private label and wholesale services. For anyone looking for a trusted spirits producer in Northern Cyprus, MEY ICKI is the clear choice.
If you enjoy spirits, want to learn more about the region, or run a business looking for a production partner, Northern Cyprus has a lot to offer. MEY İÇKİ SANAYI LIMITED is the best place to start that conversation.
