Crete, Greece

Crete is one of the world’s oldest winemaking regions in continuous use (think over 4000 years)! Crete is also the largest and most populous of the Greek Islands.

Cretan vineyards cover 12.8% of Greece’s wine regions and hold the 3rd place among the 9 viticultural areas in the country. Overall in Greece the climate is hot Mediterranean. Crete is no exception. The island offers some marvelous indigenous varieties as well as foreign ones which have adapted very well to the local terrain with very positive results. Local white varieties include Vilana, Vidiano, Dafni, Thrapsathiri, Malvazia di Candia (Malvazia of Chandakas), Muscat of Spina, and Plyto. Red varieties include Kotsifali, Mantilari, Liatiko, Tsardana and legendary Romeiko. Cretan varietals and blends made of local and foreign varieties (mostly French) are PGI Crete labels.

Cretan wine-makers have furthered the old traditional ways complementing them with knowledge acquired by new developments, taking consumers’ preferences into consideration. Visit the island’s wineries and allow yourself to experience exciting traditions while sipping on unique and extraordinary wine!