Winery · Alagni

Lyrarakis Winery - Reviving Ancient Cretan Varieties

Since 1966, Lyrarakis Winery revives ancient Cretan varieties—Dafni (with DNA traces in Minoan wine vessels), Plyto, and Melissaki—connecting Crete to Bronze Age heritage.

What to do there

TourLyrarakis Winery - Reviving Ancient Cretan VarietiesSince 1966, the Lyrarakis family has been rescuing nearly-extinct Cretan grape varieties. They revived Dafni and Plyto (previously blended away) and recently added Melissaki. Their Vidiano and single-vineyard Assyrtiko consistently score 90+ points.

Wineries nearby

Winery · Kounavi Stilianou Winery - Mountain Viticulture Small organic producer (2003) on limestone at 350–400m elevation near Archanes—no irrigation, hand-picked Cretan grapes, 20K bottles/year.
Winery · Melesses Domaine Paterianakis - Organic Indigenous Wines Domaine Paterianakis, 1988: Giorgos founded Crete's first organic winery, 1997.
Winery · Heraklion Cretan Winery with Cooking Cretan winery + farmhouse cooking class — hands-on lunch of your own creations paired with local Vilana/Kotsifali wines against Psiloritis Mountain views.