"I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else."
Nikos Kazantzakis
The history of wine in Crete and its bonds with the island have deep roots, dating even further back than the Homeric epics.
For many people, wine is considered one of the strongest experiences in life. The island of Crete is one of those places in Greece where you will taste memorable wines that will offer new thrills to your palate. “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man…” is what our ancestors used to say and this place is the right one to prove it true!
Crete boasts a wine tradition that is 4000 years old! Archeological finds of the oldest vineyard in Europe, unearthed in the area of Kato Zakro and the oldest wine-press was discovered in nearby Archanes, aged over 3500 years.
Nowadays, Crete is going through a true wine revolution. 54 local wineries have moved the Cretan wine into a new glorious era and have invested in morden winemaking technology. Talented Cretan winemakers are producing excellent wines from native and international varieties. Cretan vineyards, north facing and cooled by the Aegean winds offer a rich tapestry of varied soil types and 11 indigenous grapes with unique aroma and taste. This revived wine scene beckons discovery. Where else can you taste Dafni, a dry white redolent of laurel. Liatiko: a spicy textured red.
Let's discover more ...
Join us for a wine tasting holiday that you can easily enjoy without being an expert or specialist.
Combine winery tours with wine seminars and artisan cooking. Join us on this wine tasting holiday and receive in depth knowledge on Greek and Cretan wines.
Tempt your taste buds with wines from indigenous vines and local recipes, dishes with uncluttered flavours that require the right wine pairing. Spend five days with a wine consultant and specialist on Greek wines while you visit wineries, vineyards and talk to winemakers. Join this holiday as we celebrate modern wines sourced from the mountainous landscape of Crete.
Nico Manessis, a wine writer speciallizing on Greek Wines will travel with you on the selected wineries and share his wine knowledge during the wine seminars. For more information about Nico please visit his website Greek Wine World.
Most of the people are wondering what makes rural Crete so special and unique ... maybe the welcoming people, the wonderful food and wine, the history of food since the ancient times and the long meals among friends and family?
Your base or better "your home" for this week will be a small olive farm, surrounded by olive groves and vegetable gardens, in the district of Apokoronas in the north western part of Crete, a 30 minute drive from Chania's picturesque town. The property includes a traditional cottage with a terrace that looks across the plain to The White Mountains. There’s a kitchen in the cottage, but also an outdoor kitchen in the yard with a wood oven, barbeque, sink and an extremely large wooden table, just right for outdoor eating.
Highlights include
- winery visits and tastings of local varieties
- wine seminars on Cretan and Greek wines
- a real insight into the local gastronomy with a strong focus focus on wine
- cooking workshops and wonderful dinners
Nature :
As well as getting to know the culinary heritage of Crete you will have the chance to enjoy Crete’s outstanding nature sites, during our visits to wonderful beaches and Natura sites, nature reserves well known for their unique biodiversity.
Accommodation :
Your accommodation can range from small traditional cottages that sleep 2-4 people to larger luxury villas. All accommodation is located in and around the village of Litsarda, close to The Olive Farm. As soon as you send us your eqnuiry to plan your holiday we will discuss your specific accommodation requirements. We will provide a range of options for your particular tour, with photography, before you book the holiday.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 / Arrival
- Pick up from the airport – or the city center of Chania.
- Transfer to your accommodation in the area of Apokoronas, a leafy region in the Northern coast of Crete with numerous villages between the olive groves and vineyards. Small reception with drinks and meze and info on the schedule of the week.
- Free evening to explore the village – bikes are available
- Meals: Snack
Day 2 / Local Gastronomy
- Visit the central food market in Chania along with our chef – buy provisions for our workshop.
- Cooking workshop – Dinner at the Olive Farm
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 / Winery Excursion
-Visit two different wineries. Expore the vineyards sample wine and investigate the aromas of indigenous wines.
- Dinner en route.
- Meals: Breakfast & Snack & Early Dinner | Difficulty: easy
Day 4 / Sight Seeing in Chania Town
- Start the day with a visit at a 16th century Monastery
- Explore the city of Chania
- Join us for a cooking workshop, a wine Seminar and dinner at the Olive Farm
- Meals: Breakfast &Dinner
- Dificulty : Easly
Day 5 / Winery Excursion
-Visit two different wineries. Expore the vineyards sample wine and investigate the aromas of indigenous wines.
- Dinner en route.
- Meals: Breakfast & Snack & Early Dinner | Difficulty: easy
Day 6 / Departure
- Breakfast and Departure for the airport or the city center of Chania depending on further traveling arrangements
- Meals: Breakfast
Suggested dates 2017
This holiday is offered on request so please get in touch with us to arrange your dates
Included
- 5 nights ccommodation in traditional guest houses
- 4 Carefully selected top quality traditional meals
- All transfers to and from excursions
- 2 cooking workshops
- 2 wine seminars
- 4 guided winery visits - wine sampling
- Bicycles and equipment
On Request
- Single rooms
- Meals adopted to specific allergies
- Car rental although we encourage biking
- Private driver
- Specific dietary needs at your accommodation
- Extension of visit in Crete
- Guided visits and transportation to archeological sites
Prices
Price per person: from 1431.00 Euros (based on a group of 10 people)
Get in touch and we will give you a quote depending on your preferences and exact requirements. Children receive up to a 20% discount.
Please contact us for availability and further information when you have some dates in mind to check for availability, along with any other questions you may have.
All e-mails are answered promptly, usually within 24 hours.
Itinerary Disclaimer
From time to time itineraries may be amended, either for operational reasons or in response to feedback from customers. Please ensure you have read the latest Trip Notes before booking or traveling on your tour. Please note that while we operate successful trips in this region throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route.
