Discover Heraklion’s Wine Scene
Heraklion, the capital of Crete, offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern wine culture. This bustling city serves as an excellent base for exploring Crete’s burgeoning wine industry, with numerous vineyards and wineries within easy reach.
Towns and Villages
While Heraklion city is the main hub, several nearby towns and villages are worth exploring for their wine connections:
- Archanes: A picturesque village known for its wine production and archaeological sites.
- Peza: The heart of Crete’s wine country, home to numerous wineries.
- Dafnes: A small village famous for its sweet Liatiko wines.
Wine Producers
Heraklion region boasts several notable wine producers:
- Lyrarakis Winery: Renowned for reviving rare Cretan grape varieties.
- Boutari Winery: One of Greece’s largest producers with a modern facility in Skalani.
- Douloufakis Winery: A family-run estate producing high-quality wines from indigenous grapes.
Many wineries offer tours and tastings, providing insight into Cretan winemaking traditions and innovations.
Accommodations
For wine enthusiasts, consider staying at:
- Scalani Hills Residences: Luxury accommodations at Boutari Winery.
- Arolithos Traditional Cretan Village: Offers a taste of rural Cretan life near wine country.
- GDM Megaron Hotel: A centrally located luxury hotel in Heraklion with an extensive wine list.
Dining
Heraklion offers numerous dining options that showcase local wines:
- Peskesi: A traditional Cretan restaurant with an excellent selection of local wines.
- 7 Thalasses: Seafood restaurant featuring Cretan wines and stunning sea views.
- Herb’s Garden: Rooftop restaurant at Lato Boutique Hotel, offering panoramic views and a curated wine list.
Many restaurants in Heraklion pride themselves on pairing local dishes with Cretan wines, allowing visitors to experience the region’s terroir through food and drink.
Wine Shops & Bars
Heraklion offers several specialized wine shops and bars for enthusiasts:
- Oinoscent: A cozy wine bar with an extensive selection of Cretan and Greek wines.
- Opus Wine Bar: Features a curated list of local and international wines in a sophisticated setting.
- Cretavino: A shop offering a wide range of Cretan wines and local products.
These venues often host tasting events and provide expert advice on local wines.
Other Shops
While exploring Heraklion’s wine scene, don’t miss these local shops:
- 1866 Market: A bustling market where you can find local cheeses, olives, and herbs to pair with your wine.
- Kymata: A boutique selling handmade Cretan products, including wine-related accessories.
- Minos Spices: Offers a variety of local spices and herbs used in Cretan cuisine.
Attractions
Complement your wine experience with these must-visit attractions:
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Houses artifacts from Minoan civilization, including ancient wine vessels.
- Koules Fortress: A 16th-century Venetian fortress offering panoramic views of the city and sea.
- Historical Museum of Crete: Provides insights into Cretan history and culture, including traditional winemaking practices.
Events
Plan your visit around these wine-related events:
- Cretan Wine Fair (July): Showcases wines from local producers in Heraklion’s city center.
- Harvest Festival (September): Celebrates the grape harvest with wine tastings and traditional music in various villages.
- Oinotika (February): A month-long celebration of Cretan wines with tastings and seminars across the region.
Appellations
Heraklion region boasts several Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) wines:
- PDO Peza: Known for white wines from Vilana grapes and reds from Kotsifali and Mandilaria.
- PDO Archanes: Produces red wines from Kotsifali and Mandilaria grapes.
- PDO Dafnes: Specializes in sweet wines made from the Liatiko grape variety.
These appellations reflect the unique terroir of Heraklion’s wine-growing areas.
Grape Varieties
Crete boasts a rich diversity of indigenous grape varieties. Vidiano and Vilana are the primary white grapes, while Kotsifali and Mandilari dominate red wine production.
- Vidiano: Aromatic white with citrus and stone fruit notes
- Vilana: Crisp white with green apple and lemon flavors
- Kotsifali: Full-bodied red with spice and red fruit characteristics
- Mandilari: Tannic red often blended for structure and color
Main Wine Styles
Cretan wines reflect the island’s terroir and winemaking traditions. Dry whites and robust reds are the most common styles.
- Crisp, aromatic whites from Vidiano and Vilana
- Full-bodied reds blending Kotsifali and Mandilari
- Traditional sweet wines from sun-dried grapes
- Rosé wines gaining popularity among locals and tourists
Food Specialties
Cretan cuisine pairs wonderfully with local wines. Dakos, a rustic bread salad, and grilled octopus complement white wines.
- Kalitsounia: Cheese pies perfect with Vidiano
- Lamb with wild herbs: Ideal match for Kotsifali-Mandilari blends
- Gamopilafo: Traditional wedding rice dish pairs well with robust reds
- Graviera cheese: Local sheep’s milk cheese great with whites or reds
Drives & Walks
Explore Crete’s wine country through scenic drives and walks. The Heraklion Wine Roads offer a self-guided tour of local wineries.
- Archanes Village: Walk through vineyards and visit small producers
- Peza Wine Region: Drive through rolling hills and stop at tasting rooms
- Dafnes: Hike ancient paths connecting traditional wine villages
- Zaros: Combine wine tasting with a trek through Rouvas Gorge
Itineraries
Plan your Cretan wine adventure with these curated itineraries. The 3-day Heraklion Wine Tour covers major producers and cultural sites.
- Day 1: Visit Boutari Winery and explore Knossos Palace
- Day 2: Tour Lyrarakis Winery and enjoy a cooking class in Archanes
- Day 3: Discover Douloufakis Winery and relax on Ammoudara Beach
For a longer stay, the 7-day Cretan Wine and Culture Expedition delves deeper into the island’s wine heritage.
Getting There & Around
Crete is accessible by air and sea. The main airports are in Heraklion and Chania, with regular flights from Athens and major European cities.
- Ferries connect Crete to mainland Greece and other islands
- Rent a car for easy access to wineries and rural areas
- Public buses connect major towns and tourist sites
- Taxis are available in cities and larger towns
Best Time to Visit
The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer ideal weather for wine touring and outdoor activities.
- Spring: Enjoy wildflowers and mild temperatures
- Fall: Experience the grape harvest and wine festivals
- Summer: Perfect for beach-goers, but expect crowds
- Winter: Quieter, with focus on indoor tastings and cuisine
Sustainability Efforts
Cretan winemakers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices. Many vineyards use organic or biodynamic methods.
- Lyrarakis Winery: Pioneers in reviving indigenous grape varieties
- Douloufakis Winery: Implements water-saving irrigation techniques
- Diamantakis Winery: Uses solar energy in production
- Eco-friendly wine tours available through local operators
Language Tips
Learning a few Greek wine terms enhances your tasting experience. “Yamas!” (Cheers!) is essential for toasting.
- Lefko krasi: White wine
- Kokkino krasi: Red wine
- Gliko krasi: Sweet wine
- Xinomavro: A popular Greek red grape variety
Further Resources
Expand your knowledge of Cretan wines with these resources:
- Wines of Crete: Official organization for Cretan wines
- Visit Greece: Crete: Tourism information
- “The Wines of Greece” by Konstantinos Lazarakis MW: Comprehensive guide
- Local wine apps: Download for real-time tasting notes and winery info