People have made wine in Crete for about 4,000 years. The Minoans already had wine presses, and today a new generation of winemakers is putting Cretan wine back on the map.
The grapes
Crete grows its own varieties that you will not find in many other places. Look out for:
- Vidiano: the star white grape of Crete, saved from near extinction in the 1990s. Full and aromatic, with notes of apricot and herbs, and it ages well.
- Vilana: the most planted white grape of Crete, light, fresh and easy, with citrus and flower aromas. The base of the PDO wines of Peza.
- Malvasia di Candia: the grape behind the famous sweet Malvasia wine that the Venetians exported all over Europe from Candia (Heraklion). Today it's made both sweet and dry, very aromatic.
- Dafni: a rare white with an aroma like bay leaf (dafni in Greek), herbal and fresh.
- Thrapsathiri and Plyto: rounder and lighter whites, often blended.
- Kotsifali: a red grape with soft tannins and spicy, fruity aromas, usually blended with Mandilari for colour and structure.
- Mandilari: Crete's darkest red grape, giving deep ruby colour, firm tannins and fresh acidity. On its own it makes powerful wines that need time.
- Liatiko: an old red variety with light colour, elegant red fruit and spice. It's also used for sweet wines from sun-dried grapes, especially around Sitia and Dafnes.
- Romeiko: the traditional grape of the Chania area, used for reds, rosés and the old style Marouvas wine.
Wine areas
Crete has several PDO wine areas: Peza, Archanes, Dafnes, Sitia, Chandakas-Candia and Malvasia. Most wineries are in the hills south of Heraklion, around Peza, Archanes and Dafnes, and in the east around Sitia. Many are family run and happy to welcome visitors.
Visiting a winery
Call or book ahead, especially outside summer. A tasting usually includes four or five wines with bread, olive oil and cheese. Do not drink and drive on the mountain roads; a tour with transport is the relaxed option.
Book a wine tasting
Updated: 2026-10-29
