What if I told you Crete wine was once world-renowned, served in the courts of Egyptian pharaohs, and revered by Romans and Venetians?
It’s actually true! Winemaking on this Greek island goes back 4,000 years to the Minoan Civilization. They even found the oldest wine press (3,500 years old) on Crete.
The many wars and the root louse phylloxera damaged Crete's wine reputation. But over the past few decades, winemakers have worked to improve vineyard and winemaking standards.
Crete is now home to more than 60 wineries and 7 PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin). It produces 12% of Greece’s wine from indigenous and international grape varieties.
Some of the top Crete wineries are located near the city of Chania. Take a tour or plan your own visits by making reservations in advance.
Manousakis produces organic wines from Rhône grape varieties. Nostos, meaning “yearning to come home,” is their premium label, and these are outstanding wines.
The founder Andreas Dourakis studied winemaking in Germany. Take a tour through their wine cellar. And sample wines made from local grape varieties.
Karavitakis makes wines from many of the native grapes, like Kotsifali and Vidiano. They also use international varieties, including Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache.