Vingårder på Kreta

Cretan Wineries

Crete's viticultural history spans over 4,000 years, making it one of the world's oldest wine-producing regions. This selection features estates across the Chania and Heraklion regions that focus on indigenous Cretan grape varieties such as Vidiano, Vilana, and Kotsifali. Visitors can explore traditional stone cellars, participate in guided tastings of organic vintages, and learn about the successful revival of rare ancient grapes like Dafni and Plyto. These wineries range from small-scale artisanal producers to established estates with modern production facilities and expansive hillside vineyards.

Алена Федоровых / CC-BY-SA

A

Karavitakis Winery

Located in the Kolymvari region, this family-owned estate produces wines from 150 acres of vineyards. It features a modern tasting room where visitors can sample blends of indigenous Cretan grapes alongside international varieties like Syrah and Grenache.

Thomas Walfort-Papayannakis / CC-BY-SA

B

Stilianou Winery

A boutique winery in Kounavi specializing in organic viticulture. The estate focuses on traditional Cretan varieties, including Kotsifali, Mandilaria, and Vidiano, produced in limited quantities using artisanal methods.

C

Douloufakis Winery

A great local winery offering a tour of the process of making wine and their cellars.

D

Dourakis Winery

Housed in a beautiful natural setting. Here, you can take a tour around the winery or head straight for the tasting room or the shop.

E

Manusakis Vinodelna

Situated in the village of Vatolakkos, this winery is known for its Nostos label. The facility includes a traditional stone-built tasting terrace and focuses on Mediterranean varieties like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre grown in the surrounding hills.

F

Lyrarakis Winery

Established in 1966 in the Alagni region, this estate is recognized for rescuing the nearly extinct Dafni and Plyto grape varieties. It offers structured tastings and tours of its experimental vineyards and barrel-aging cellars.