In 2000, journalist Stelios Zacharioudakis and his wife Victoria began realising their vision: to create a space honouring vineyards and wine — a milestone in the modern wine history of Crete.
Zacharioudakis Winery was established atop the hill called “Orthi Petra” at 500 metres altitude, north of the archaeological site of ancient Gortyna, in the settlement of Plouti in southern Crete — 45 km south of Heraklion. Since wine is now produced globally and often industrialised, Stelios set out to answer a fundamental question: what does a winemaker truly want to offer in a glass of wine, and what does the taster expect to find?
Winery Tour and Wine Tasting
- Hilltop Guided Winery Tour: Visit Zacharioudakis Winery atop Orthi Petra hill, overlooking the ancient site of Gortyna, and learn about a journalist-turned-winemaker’s vision for what genuine Cretan wine can be.
- Gortyna Terroir: Understand how the 500-metre altitude, the southern Cretan microclimate, and the proximity to the extraordinary archaeological landscape of Gortyna influence the character of Zacharioudakis wines — a culturally inspired estate honouring Cretan viticulture.
- Wine Tasting & Traditional Cretan Dishes: Taste the Zacharioudakis portfolio paired with traditional Cretan dishes and discover how an estate built on a profound question about wine produces wines of genuine depth and integrity.
Book your wine tasting experience at Zacharioudakis Winery near Gortyna, Crete.
