Lyrarakis Winery was established in 1966 on the island of Crete by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. Today, the winery is run by the second generation of winemakers, supported by an extended family of skilled professionals.
From the very beginning, the winery has been devoted to the revival of rare grape varieties of Crete. Its portfolio includes more than 11 indigenous varieties, with three of them saved from extinction. Dafni and Plyto, now well-known Cretan varieties, were first planted in 1992 in the “Psarades” family vineyard. The latest rescued variety, Melissaki, was planted in 2010 in the “Gero Deti” vineyard.
The winery continues to explore Crete in search of forgotten varieties and unique terroirs, aiming to produce wines with distinctive character. As part of its commitment to sustainability, it transitioned to organic viticulture in 2020, while a significant percentage of its cooperating farmers have also adopted organic practices.
Winery Tour and Tasting Experience
The guided tour begins with a walk through the vineyards, where visitors can see the rescued Plyto and Dafni varieties and visit the winery’s open-air vine museum.
During the outdoor part of the experience, guests will:
- Learn about the indigenous grape varieties of Crete
- Observe their unique characteristics up close
- Discover the history and philosophy of the winery
The tour continues indoors, in the winery’s cellar, where the wines age in oak barrels. Here, visitors are introduced to the vinification methods and practices, gaining a deeper understanding of the winemaking process.
Following the tour, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting experience in a specially designed tasting area, where they can sample selected wines of the estate and discover the unique characteristics, aromas, and flavors of each variety.
