At A Glance
- Base
- Alagni, Heraklion, within the Peza appellation
- Core grapes
- Indigenous Cretan varieties
- Range
- Estate bottled wines and Micro Batch experiments
- Defining feature
- Work with indigenous varieties, including grapes saved from extinction
The Producer
Two brothers, Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis, established the winery on Crete in 1966. It is now run by second generation winemakers, supported by an extended family of skilled professionals. The winery began estate bottling under the Lyrarakis name in 1992.
The portfolio contains indigenous Cretan varieties, including grapes saved from extinction. Viticulturist and ampelographer Nikos Somarakis joined Lyrarakis in 2007. Winemaker Myriam Ambuzer previously worked with Spanish winemaker Pepe Mendoza.
Lyrarakis transitioned to organic viticulture in 2020, and cooperating growers also converted. The winery stopped ploughing and uses fertilizer made from kitchen, winery and nearby olive mill waste.
Place
The winery facilities are located in Alagni, Heraklion, within the Peza appellation, at 480 metres above sea level. The visitor setting is surrounded by the Psarades vineyard and the Lassithi Mountains. The winery presents local wines and rare indigenous grapes from this Cretan setting.
Wines
Lyrarakis makes estate bottled wines alongside a Micro Batch range. Micro Batch contains experimental vinifications from nearly extinct local grape varieties and promising terroirs across Crete.
008 Vidiano Anemomilia is the range’s number 008, a dry white made from the local Vidiano variety. The 2024 wine comes from vineyards undergoing conversion to organic farming. It has a pale yellow straw colour, with mountain flowers, green herbs, citrus, white fleshed fruit and petrol notes. The palate is balanced and full flavoured, finishing with a light mineral character.
Final Word
Lyrarakis Wines puts indigenous Cretan grapes into estate bottled and experimental wines. All Lyrarakis wines are Vegan Certified.