Varieties

Vilana: The island’s white star, Vilana, makes an appearance in the PDO Peza or Sitia wines with its fascinating fine aroma, its light taste and its refreshing lemon-scented acidity. more

Vidiano: Unique apricot aroma, rich body, transfixing creamy taste. These elements make Vidiano the rising diva of the Cretan vineyard and justify its qualifying as Greece’s Viogner! more

Dafni: The various aromas of Dafni bring to mind the well-known plant dafni (laurel), hence its name. Quite a remarkable variety, whose scarcity is matched by the rarity of its taste character. more

Thrapsathiri: A variety grown everywhere in Crete, offering balanced wines, rich in flavor. This is where the white PDO Sitia wines draw their particular taste from. more

Kotsifali: Soft and mellow, full of plum fragrances, the fleshy Kotsifali can be described as the Cretan equivalent of Merlot. Jointly responsible for the wonderful PDO Peza and Archanes wines. more

Liatiko: Excellent red variety which may be lacking in color, but offers unique sweetness and character. The mind-blowing sweet and dry PDO Sitia and Dafnes wines are indisputable proof. more

Malvasia di Candia: This special clone of the aromatic Malvasia has returned to the fore, offering a real scented bouquet to both sweet and dry wines of the island. more

Mandilari: Wild and untamed like the Cretan land and its people, Mantilari is considered to be the king of native red varieties. This is where the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Peza and more

Muscat of Spina: This clone of Muscat is a small-grape treasure. In fact, its thin skin skyrockets the fine character of the dry wines it offers. more

Plyto: Yet another variety recently saved from extinction, Plyto completes the mosaic of Cretan aromas and tastes with its refreshing acidity, its lemon scent and its lightness. more

A particularly resistant variety which gives lively red wines with high alcohol content, average acidity and variable color – due to the distinctive variegated grapes growing on the numerous branches of the plant. The traditional wine Marouvas, wh... more

Cabernet Sauvignon: The sun and the heat offer maturity and volume, which balance the strong tannins, but also give this magnificent variety a Cretan twist, whether you enjoy it in varietal wines or blended with other international as well as native varieties. more

Chardonnay: The local character of this variety can be offset through careful harvesting and modern winemaking in low temperatures, without, however, sacrificing its vivacious flavor. Some of the island’s producers have been following this line and ex... more

Merlot: No matter how easily it can be consumed, its cultivation is very tricky. The island’s skilled wine producers, however, have found the solution in selecting heavy soils, high altitudes and cold vineyards. The result is a Cretan version, combin... more

Sauvignon Blanc: The warm climate may extract some of the Sauvignon’s intense aromas, but it gives it body and soul, without taking away any of its zest and vivacity. Apart from varietal wines, it also gives original blends when mixed with local varie... more

Syrah: The love of the deep-colored Syrah for the warm Mediterranean climate goes without saying. So, neither its splendid acclimatization nor its excellent results from one end of the island to the other should come as a surprise. What is impressive, thoug... more

Sangiovese: The prefectures of Hania and Iraklio can boast about how this variety has adjusted so well to their soil. Its high acidity provides freshness and an unexpected bite, while the mature aromas and the voluminous flavor in the mouth complete the pro... more