3 Best Heraklion Wineries & Vineyards in Crete, Greece

If you’re a wine lover vacationing in Crete, a visit to Heraklion wineries is the perfect way to spend a day on this beautiful Greek Island.

Just a half-hour’s drive south of the city center, you’ll be transported to a land of rolling hills blanketed with emerald vineyards. Here you’ll find Peza, the largest wine-producing region in Crete.

As a certified wine expert, I recently spent a week wine tasting throughout the island. And these are my top picks for the best wineries with excellent Crete wines, wonderful hospitality, and stunning views. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the food and wine pairing experience at Domaine Paterianakis.

All three of these wineries are less than 10 minutes from each other. So, they make an easy day trip. Read on to get all the details you need for planning your Heraklion wine tasting.

The Best Heraklion Wineries in Crete, Greece

1. Domaine Paterianakis

For incredible views and equally incredible organic wine and food, head to Domaine Paterianakis. This family winery is located on a hilltop with wall-to-wall glass windows overlooking the Peza wine-growing region.

Founded in 1988 by Giorgos Paterianakis, the estate includes 20 hectares of vineyards that are all farmed organically. And in 1997, they were the first to produce an organic wine on the island of Crete.

Two of Giorgos’ daughters, Emmanuela and Niki, took over operations in 2012. And they’ve continued to focus on organic and natural cultivation of Crete’s indigenous grapes. This now includes their 3.14 range of minimal intervention wines without the addition of sulfites.

Wines to Try

To experience the first wine they produced, try the Domaine Paterianakis red. This blend of Kotsifali and Mandilari has notes of cinnamon and baking spices with delicious dried fruit flavors like fig and prune.

They also make an excellent Vidiano, Crete’s most popular white wine. It’s creamy with peach, apricot, and tropical fruit aromas.

And make sure to ask about their line of 3.14 natural wines. Produced in small batches of 1,000 bottles, the name represents the 3 sisters, 1 father, and 4 women of their family. The crisp and dry Kotsifali-Syrah rosé was one of my favorite wines of the day, with aromas of orange blossom and red cherry.

Visiting

Choose from a variety of intimate wine tasting and tour options. Just be sure to make a reservation online in advance. And they are a kid-friendly spot.

I highly recommend the Food and Wine Pairing experience. The dishes are homemade by Emmanuela and Niki’s mother with vegetables grown in the estate’s garden. And each course is paired with a sampling of Domaine Paterianakis’ wines.

Ours included a local cheese plate, warm spinach pies, and crunchy spring rolls. Plus Dakos, a Cretan specialty of crunchy bread topped with chopped tomatoes, crumbled cheese, and herbs.

Looking for more great food and wine experiences in Greece? Check out these Chania wine bars and Santorini wine restaurants.

2. Digenakis Winery

This modern spot brings together local artwork and excellent Cretan wine.

Leftheris Digenakis, the owner and winemaker, has been producing his own wine since 2011. But the Digenakis Winery and tasting room didn’t open until several years ago.

He produces about 100k bottles of wine annually made from both native and international grape varieties. These are grown on 4 hectares of their own vineyards and also sourced from local farmers.

You’ll find single varietal and blended wines in a range of dry and off-dry styles.

Wines to Try

If you’re a red wine lover, try the Nymfaios, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend. The ripe blackberry, black cherry, and spicy peppery notes go beautifully with hard, aged cheeses.

I also enjoyed the Th{eros} white wine, a dry-style blend of native grapes Plyto and Thrapsathiri. It has yummy herbal lemongrass and tropical pineapple flavors.

Visiting

Reservations are recommended. Choose from several wine tasting options you can book online.

Your visit starts with a guided winery tour, where you’ll learn about the wine-making process in the modern facilities. You may even get to meet Leftheris himself, hard at work making his excellent wine.

Then, you’ll head to the beautiful tasting room slash art gallery with sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards. Customize your flight based on your wine preferences. And enjoy a tasty platter of traditional Cretan cheeses and cherry tomatoes.

3. Lyrarakis Winery

Lyrarakis Winery‘s picturesque outdoor tasting terrace is the perfect spot to sample their great wines surrounded by vineyards.

The story of Lyrarakis starts in 1966 when Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis began growing grapes. But with the phylloxera root louse hitting the island’s vineyards not much later, it wasn’t until 1992 that they began bottling wine under the Lyrarakis name.

Originally focused on international and indigenous varieties, the brothers eventually realized the importance of preserving Crete’s native grapes. Lyrarakis is now credited with bringing back the ancient grape varieties of Plyto, Dafni, and Melissaki.

Today, the winery is run by Bart Lyrarakis, the next generation of the family. They own plots of land throughout the island, which are farmed organically. And they also work with 100 independent small growers to source fruit for Lyrarakis wines.

Wines to Try

I enjoyed the zesty and citrusy Plyto. The Dafni was also delicious, with more herbal aromas like rosemary, lavender, and bay leaf.

For reds, try the single varietal Kotsifali. This garnet-tinted wine has hints of caramel and cocoa from extra time in oak barrels.

And if you’re a fan of bubbly, don’t miss the ZaZaZu. Considered to be Crete’s first sparkling wine, it’s an off-dry blend of Muscat, Vilana, and Vidiano with flavors of crisp pear and apple.

Visiting

For the tasting, you can choose between the standard option of 5 signature estate blends. Or go for the advanced tasting of 7 premium wines from their single area range.

They do accept walk-ins for tastings during the summer if space is available. And for an extra special experience, you can book a vineyard picnic to wine and dine among the vines.

Looking to stop by in the off-season? Be sure to contact them for availability during November through March.

If you’re planning to visit the western part of Crete, don’t miss checking out these Chania wineries too.

Heraklion Wine Tour

Visiting wineries near Heraklion is an easy day trip. But driving on Crete island can by a little intimidating, so I recommend taking a guided tour.

This is a great small-group tour that includes transportation and tastings at Digenakis Winery and Lyrarakis Winery. Plus, olive oil tasting and a 3-course gourmet lunch at a local restaurant.

🚌 Book the Small-Group Heraklion Wine Tour

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Where to Stay for Visiting Heraklion Wineries

As the largest city in Crete, there are lots of hotel options to choose from in Heraklion. We stayed at Lato Boutique and had an amazing waterfront view of the fortress.

Reserve a table at their restaurant upstairs for panoramic views of the ocean at sunset. And the complimentary breakfast is delicious!

🏨 Book the Lato Boutique Hotel

FAQs About Visiting Wineries in Heraklion

What Wine is Heraklion Known For?

Crete has a long history of wine production. And in recent years, it’s becoming known for high-quality wines. The region of Heraklion has played a major role, being home to the Peza PDO (Protected Designation of Origin). This area produces nearly three-quarters of Crete’s wine.

The most common red varieties are Kotsifali and Mandilari. These are typically blended to make dry red wines. And for white wines, the main grape is Vilana, which is sometimes blended with Sauvignon Blanc.

You’ll also find wines made with other local varieties like Vidiano, Dafni, Plyto, and Liatiko. Plus, international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Muscat of Spina (made in a dry style).

Also, many are producing Assyrtiko, a high-acid white wine grape better known from Santorini wineries.

When is the Best Time to Visit Heraklion Wineries?

With its Mediterranean climate, Crete can get pretty hot in the summer months. And the beach crowds are in full swing. I recommend visiting in the spring or fall.

September is one of the best times for a winery visit in Crete. The busy season is winding down, so the tasting rooms won’t be as crowded. And the water has warmed up from the hot summer weather. So, you can still enjoy beach time.

How Many Wineries Are There in Crete?

Crete is home to about 60 wineries across 7 PDOs. The Peza PDO is the top wine region for wine production.

What’s the Best Way to Get to Wineries Near Heraklion?

The Heraklion wine region is about a half hour drive south from the center of the city. Once you’re there, the wineries are within 10 minutes of each other. So, it’s easy to visit several during a day trip.

Do You Need Reservations for Heraklion Wineries?

Some wineries near Heraklion take walk-ins. But many require reservations. I recommend booking at least a few days in advance as these places fill up, especially in the busy summer season.

How Much Are Heraklion Wine Tastings?

Heraklion wine tastings typically range between €15 to €25. But some premium tastings and food and wine experiences are more.