Cretan Wines: Discovering a Mediterranean Vineyard

What if you started your day with an olive oil flatbread and a glass of wine instead of your usual cup of coffee? Krasopsychia, literally “wine that nourishes the soul,” is the traditional breakfast of Cretans living in small villages.

The perfect setting for a long history

The Cretan vineyard, one of the oldest in Europe, grows at an altitude of 600 meters and stretches down to sea level in a seemingly random pattern, following the succession of different landscapes—hills and plains—to surprise visitors. The Cretan climate—mild in winter, hot in summer, and sunny all year round, cooled by sea breezes—provides ideal conditions for the vines to thrive.

It is therefore easy to see why Crete has such a long winemaking tradition, as evidenced by the archaeological discoveries at Vathypetro, where the world’s oldest wine press was found. Local production has experienced periods of significant commercial growth. Between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, Cretan wines, stored in carefully decorated and sealed amphorae, were shipped throughout the Mediterranean. The reputation of Cretan wine reached its peak with Malvasia wine during the Venetian period, between the 12th and 16th centuries.

It is within this long-standing tradition that the famous “Cretan diet”—so highly regarded today and considered a model of healthy eating—finds its place, and Cretan wine, of course, plays a key role in it…

Wine in Crete Today

70% of Crete’s wine is produced in the region surrounding the Palace of Knossos from the Minoan civilization. State-of-the-art aging and bottling facilities showcase the region’s excellent grape varieties, such as Kotsifali, Vilana, and Mantilari, and produce some of Crete’s most renowned wines.

Visitors will enjoy touring the wineries and municipal olive oil mills and can take part in the cultural events held each summer as part of the “Wine Trails” tour.

The Heraklion Wine Routes

The Heraklion Wine Trails are a circular route created by the Winemakers’ Network and designed to allow you to explore as many representative areas of the municipality’s wine-growing industry as possible.

They combine visits to regions featuring remarkable historical monuments and sites linked to wine since ancient times, traditional towns, sites and trails of natural beauty, and the most notable wineries, where you can sample local wines and cuisine.

Wine Route 1: Heraklion – Knossos – Skalani – Patsides – Kato Archanes
Wine Route 2: Archanes – Vathypetra – Kounavoi – Katalagari – Peza Valley
Wine Route 3: Peza – Agies Paraskies – Kalloni – Agios Vasileios – Houdetsi
Wine Route 4: Agies Paraskies – Meleses – Alagni

When taste becomes a celebration…

In the fall, the production of raki (brandy) is a continuous celebration throughout Crete known as “kazanemata.”

Raki is a unique spirit made from grape pomace. It contains twice or three times the alcohol content of wine (20 to 30 percent). The strongest raki is the first to be distilled during the 10- to 15-minute distillation process for each batch, and it is called “protoraki” (the first raki).

If you’re traveling to Crete in November, you absolutely must visit a rakokazano, where raki is produced. You’ll have the chance to taste protoraki, fresh from the distillery, paired with traditional dishes at an unforgettable celebration featuring Cretan music. For Cretans, and especially in this region, raki production is an occasion to gather with friends, sing, and dance—a celebration that begins in the early afternoon and lasts until the next day.

Do you have questions about an upcoming trip to Crete? Contact Chryssa at Evaneos for a 100% custom-designed trip and guaranteed local French-speaking expertise! Follow Evaneos on Facebook and Twitter.

Evaneos, in collaboration with Stella Vassilaki