Lyrarakis Winery - Reviving Ancient Cretan Varieties

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 🍷 1

   Taste the Grape the Minoans Drank 4000 Years Ago

   wine $$

   Dafni - the grape variety written on Minoan wine storage vessels as "dafnitos oinos" from 1580 BCE. The Lyrarakis brothers discovered it nearly extinct in 1992 - just a few rows survived - and planted it in their Psarades vineyard. You're tasting what the civilization that built Knossos drank 4000 years ago. When they pour the Dafni Psarades at the tasting table (tours run 11:30-17:30, April-October), close your eyes and smell first. Look for bay leaf, aromatic herbs, citrus - the name means "laurel" because it smells like bay leaf. Then ask: "Is this really the same grape the Minoans used?" The staff will show you the archaeological evidence - storage vessels with the grape's name from 4000 years ago.

   🔄 BACKUP: If Dafni isn't available, ask about their Vidiano - another variety they rescued from extinction. Same resurrection story, different grape.

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2. ⛰️ 2

   Find the World's Largest Plot of a Grape That Was Dead

   adventure Free

   At 1.5 hectares, this is the LARGEST PLYTO VINEYARD IN THE WORLD. Because until the early 1990s, farmers thought Plyto was extinct. The Lyrarakis brothers found a few surviving rows, bet their family legacy on reviving it, and now own the world's only commercial Plyto production. During the vineyard walk portion of your tour (before the cellar visit), ask your guide: "Which section is the Plyto?" Look for the views of the Lassithi mountains behind the Psarades vineyard at 480 meters altitude. Then ask: "How many rows survived when you found it?" The answer will shock you.

   🔄 BACKUP: If the tour doesn't go to Psarades, ask to see photos of the vineyard during the tasting. The 480m altitude and Lassithi mountain backdrop are distinctive.

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3. 📜 3

   Decode the Brothers' Gamble in the Vine Museum

   history Free

   The story of Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis, who founded this winery in 1966 with one mission: "Preserving and promoting the Cretan wine heritage." In the early 1990s, when Dafni and Plyto were considered extinct, they initiated a search and found a few rows of each. They planted Psarades vineyard in 1992. That gamble - reviving "dead" grapes nobody wanted - now wins Decanter Gold medals and international recognition. In the vine museum section (part of the 1.5-hour guided tour), look for displays showing the family history and grape revival timeline. Ask the guide: "What made the brothers believe they could revive extinct grapes when everyone said it was impossible?" Listen for "just like their ancestors did before them."

   🔄 BACKUP: If the museum section isn't part of your tour, ask at the tasting: "Why did your family bet on extinct grapes in the 1990s?" The second generation now manages the winery and loves telling the origin story.

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4. 🍷 4

   Hunt the Gold Medal That Proved Them Right

   Optional

   wine $$

   The 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards GOLD medal winner - 95/100 points. This is the wine that proved the Lyrarakis brothers weren't crazy for reviving an "extinct" grape. Plyto is super drought-resistant (perfect for Crete's climate), dry-farmed, organic, vegan certified. The same grape that disappeared because it was "difficult" to grow is now beating international wines in blind tastings. When they pour the Plyto at the tasting table, look at the bottle for awards or ask: "What did this wine score at Decanter 2018?" Then taste it and ask: "Why was this grape abandoned if it's this good?" The answer is climate adaptation - Plyto thrives in conditions that kill other varieties.

   🔄 BACKUP: If the Plyto Psarades isn't available, ask about their Symbolo red (90+ Wine Advocate) or any wine that's won international awards. The entire range proves indigenous Cretan grapes can compete globally.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  The Vidiano is the star - 91pts Wine Enthusiast, often called "next Assyrtiko"

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  Try Dafni - an incredibly aromatic white they literally saved from extinction

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  Book the premium tasting for their full range including single-vineyard wines

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  The winery restaurant serves excellent Cretan food