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Rhous Tamiolakis Winery

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The Estate of Tamiolakis is located in Houdetsi, 25 kilometers south of the city of Heraklion. It is part of the area of Appellation Peza, the largest wine-producing region in the Heraklion Prefecture. It is a family enterprise whose members all have a keen interest, deep roots, experience and education and in the area of viticulture and viniculture.

The philosophy of the estate is to showcase the Cretan vineyard using primarily local grape varieties. For this reason the vineyard has taken on a somewhat ‘experimental’ character and consequently many local Cretan varieties were planted in a total area of 5 hectares. For some of these varieties such as Vidiano and Moschato Spinas that were close to extinction, this vineyard has assisted tremendously in their revival and in their promotion.

Today, these varieties have produced exceptional wines that have gained recognition and respect throughout Greece and are considered by many as the future ambassadors of Cretan wines.

The cultivation of the winery was from the beginning and continues today according to strictly organic methods and has received the appropriate independent certification. Today, the Tamiolakis Estate produces five local Cretan wines and one Appellation Peza, with its total production not exceeding 50,000 bottles. The objective is for this capacity to double in the next few years. The estate is part of “Wine Roads of Heraklion” and is open to the public year-round. Organized tours and wine tastings can be arranged by appointment.

THE ESTATE

The estate of the Tamiolakis family is in the prefecture of Heraklion next to the village of Houdetsi, which is part of the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia. The location, known by the local names Skala, Zourva and Vigla encompasses the Peza Appellation region. It is approximately 15 Km from the archeological treasures of Knossos and 5 km from the 4,000 year-old wine press of Vathypetro and from the wine presses of Katalagari.

The estate, consisting of an organic winery of about 50 hectares and a small, state-of-the-art winery is a strictly a family enterprise and was created in order to produce quality products that promote in the best way—the wealth of taste and unique character of Cretan wines.

The choice of the location was made by taking into account the total ecosystem, which is ideal for the production of exceptional quality grapes. The average elevation (about 500m), the slope of the vineyards, the northern orientation as well as the calcium-rich clayish soil comprise a terroir that is ideal for grape cultivation.

GRAPE VARIETIES

The selection of grape varieties planted were done so in the same spirit. Hence, to the well-known red varieties characteristic of the Peza region- Kotsifali and Mandilari, a rich gamut of local whites were added. Specifically, next to Vilana grape, which is the most popular in the region, other local varietals that were close to extinction and had shown exceptional quality in experimental wine-making such as Vidiano, Dafni, Plito Thrapsathiri and Spina Moschat were also added.

Later, certain internationally renowned red varieties (known for the exceptional wines they produce in regions throughout the world) such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were added. In addition, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have augmented the multi-variety character of the winery, thus creating an interesting promise of producing blended wines that combine both local and international varieties.

THE WINERY

The winery itself is a stone building, completely built from stones that were collected from the winery after the process of forming it and as a result of tilling when the ground was being prepared. The building was completed in 2004 at the same time as the first wines were produced. It offers a modern infrastructure capable of implementing the fine-tuned methods required by today’s wine-making techniques, as well as a climate-controlled cava for the proper ageing of the wines.

Current production capability approaches 50,000 bottles per year. This capacity is envisioned to double soon with the absorption of grapes from neighboring wineries with organic cultivation, whose owners are already being advised on the selection of grape varieties and on the appropriate methods of cultivation.

The estate is open to visitors year-round. For those who would like to taste wines and to learn a little about wine-making, there is a wine-tasting room capable of accommodating up to 20 individuals. During the summer the large garden and roof-top with a panoramic view offer more options, along with the ability to accommodate many more visitors.

- Open doors : A Sunday every year at about the end of October or beginning of November

- Open all year long after appointment.

- Excibitions, concerts, dance or theatrical shows and any other kind of artistic events can be hosted, especially during summer.