A 4,000-Year Wine Tradition
Wine in Crete is more than a product. It is one of the island’s most profound experiences of camaraderie and culture. With a tradition spanning 4,000 years, Crete boasts the oldest continuously cultivated vineyard in Europe. Discoveries in Kato Zakros, where the oldest cultivated vine was unearthed, and in Archanes, with its 3,500-year-old wine press, confirm the enduring relationship between the Cretans and the vine.
Wine Routes and Hospitality
Today, the Cretan vineyard covers 12.8% of the national territory, making it the third most important wine-producing region in Greece. In the northern part of the island, the vines thrive in harmonious coexistence with the olive groves, sheltered from the hot winds of the Libyan Sea. They are cooled by the Aegean breeze, the perfect ally for producing quality wines. The numerous wineries in Heraklion and Hania offer a comprehensive wine tourism experience, combining authentic hospitality with modern technologies.
The Treasures of the Cretan Land
Crete is a veritable treasure trove of rare indigenous grape varieties, offering a gateway to new horizons:
These varieties contribute to the PGI wines of Crete or the select PDO wines of Peza, Archanes, Dafnes, Sitia, and Handakas-Candia.
The New Generation and Culture
Tradition meets the expertise of skilled oenologists who experiment with oak barrels, enhancing aromas that cater to every palate. For Cretans, wine is a symbol of camaraderie. They never drink alone, but rather in groups, laughing and conversing. Cretan wine complements the flavours of one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, adding a delightful oenological and gastronomic dimension to your journey. Indulge in the sweet euphoria of a world where wine “gladdens the heart of man”.
Wine Routes and Hospitality
Today, the Cretan vineyard covers 12.8% of the national territory, making it the third most important wine-producing region in Greece. In the northern part of the island, the vines thrive in harmonious coexistence with the olive groves, sheltered from the hot winds of the Libyan Sea. They are cooled by the Aegean breeze, the perfect ally for producing quality wines. The numerous wineries in Heraklion and Hania offer a comprehensive wine tourism experience, combining authentic hospitality with modern technologies.
The Treasures of the Cretan Land
Crete is a veritable treasure trove of rare indigenous grape varieties, offering a gateway to new horizons:
- White: Vilana is the star of the show, with Vidiano as the up-and-comer, Dafni, Thrapsathiri, Malvasia of Handakas, Moschato Spinas, and Plyto.
- Red: Kotsifali, Mandilari, Liatiko, Tsardana, and the historic Romeiko.
These varieties contribute to the PGI wines of Crete or the select PDO wines of Peza, Archanes, Dafnes, Sitia, and Handakas-Candia.
The New Generation and Culture
Tradition meets the expertise of skilled oenologists who experiment with oak barrels, enhancing aromas that cater to every palate. For Cretans, wine is a symbol of camaraderie. They never drink alone, but rather in groups, laughing and conversing. Cretan wine complements the flavours of one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, adding a delightful oenological and gastronomic dimension to your journey. Indulge in the sweet euphoria of a world where wine “gladdens the heart of man”.
