Crete has been making wine for a long time. A Minoan wine press dates to around 1580 BCE, and remains in Minoan palaces point to large-scale wine production and storage about 3,500 years ago. Today, PGI Crete covers Lasithi, Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania.
Vineyards range from coastal sites to higher ground at 500 to 800 metres. Hot, dry summers, sea breezes and cooler mountain locations sit alongside major differences in soil, elevation and local climate. Crete is not a single wine environment.
Vilana and Vidiano are the leading white grapes, while Liatiko, Mandilaria and Kotsifali lead the red plantings. Vilana is usually light and fresh. Vidiano brings citrus and stone-fruit aromas with more texture, while Kotsifali adds soft fruit and warmth to reds and Mandilaria contributes tannin and structure. The island also makes rosé and sweet wines. Its named PDO areas include Sitia, Peza, Archanes, Dafnes, the two Malvasia designations and Handakas-Candia.
Inside the region
7 named areas
Each guide keeps its place within Crete clear, with a direct route back to the map.
- 01ArchanesNo producers listed yetArchanes sits within Crete, Greece.
- 02Chandakas - CandiaNo producers listed yetChandakas - Candia sits within Crete, Greece.
- 03Dafnes2 producersDafnes sits within Crete, Greece.
- 04Malvasia Chandakas-CandiaNo producers listed yetMalvasia Chandakas-Candia sits within Crete, Greece.
- 05Malvasia SiteiasNo producers listed yetMalvasia Siteias sits within Crete, Greece.
- 06Peza1 producerPeza sits within Crete, Greece.
- 07SitiaNo producers listed yetSitia sits within Crete, Greece.
Producer profiles
Begin with this selection, or open the full directory when you want every producer currently placed in Crete.
- Dourakis WineryFamily winery in Alikampos making orange Romeiko and dry Cretan whites from organic and regenerative vineyards.
- Lyrarakis WinesLyrarakis Wines pairs indigenous Cretan grapes with estate bottling and Micro Batch experiments in Alagni.
- Manousakis WineryManousakis Winery farms clay-rich hills outside Vatolakkos and makes the Nostos range in Chania, Crete.