Passionate Tour Experts Crafting Unforgettable Wine Experiences—Not Just Wine Enthusiasts Leading Tours!
We Know Our Stuff
Tours Designed by Knowledgeable Experts.
Planning a trip to the Heraklion Region? You’re in the right hands! At Heraklion Wine Tours, we don’t just offer tours—we share our passion for Crete’s rich wine culture. With over a decade of experience in the local luxury service industry, we’ve helped thousands of travelers discover the best wineries, restaurants, and hidden gems of the region.
Our local sommelier guides aren’t just experts—they’re part of the community. Born and raised here, they have deep-rooted knowledge of Peza, Dafnes, and the greater Heraklion wine region. Whether you’re exploring from Heraklion, Elounda, or Agios Nikolaos, our guests agree: we craft the most authentic and unforgettable wine experiences in Crete!
Peza Valley – The Heart of Cretan Winemaking
Peza is Crete’s most productive wine region, responsible for about 70% of all wine made on the island. As one of Crete’s four PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) appellations, Peza is renowned for both its red and white wines, crafted primarily from indigenous grape varieties.
The native Vilana, Kotsifali, and Mandilaria grapes dominate the vineyards, creating elegant white wines and aromatic reds with a distinct Cretan character. Vilana is the star of Peza’s dry white wines, which must be made entirely from this variety under PDO regulations. However, some winemakers are experimenting with Sauvignon Blanc and other international grapes to create unique PGI-designated blends.
Peza’s red wines traditionally feature Kotsifali (75%) and Mandilaria (25%)—a blend that balances softness, color, and structure. While Kotsifali brings a delicate fruitiness, Mandilaria enhances body and depth, making these wines both complex and full of character.
Located just south of Heraklion, Peza enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with cooling Aegean Sea breezes that slow ripening, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness. The region’s vineyards, rising up to 700 meters (2,300 ft), thrive in well-drained calcareous soils, forcing vines to develop deep roots, which results in intensely flavored grapes.
Winemaking in Peza is nothing new—ancient wine presses and amphorae scattered across the region tell the story of a tradition that stretches back thousands of years. Today, Peza continues to be at the heart of Crete’s thriving wine industry, blending history, tradition, and innovation in every bottle.
Dafnes Valley – A Land of Tradition and Exceptional Wines
Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Psiloritis, just 15 km south of Heraklion, Dafnes Valley is one of Crete’s four PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wine regions. Known for its distinctive Liatiko-based red wines, Dafnes produces both dry and sweet wines, the latter made from sun-dried grapes, creating a rich, naturally sweet experience.
While Liatiko is the star of the PDO-designated wines, Dafnes also cultivates a variety of international and indigenous grapes under the broader PGI Crete and PGI Heraklion labels. You’ll find well-known varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, alongside Crete’s rising star, Vidiano—a native white grape that offers fresh, fruity flavors when young and develops a nutty complexity with age.
With approximately 400 hectares of vineyards, Dafnes has a long-standing winemaking tradition that dates back to Minoan times. Ancient wine storage vessels inscribed with the words dafnitos oinos suggest that wine has been crafted here for thousands of years, securing Dafnes’ place in Cretan wine history.
Dafnes’ vineyards benefit from a Mediterranean climate, with cooling Aegean Sea breezes that slow down ripening, enhancing the acidity and balance of the grapes. The region’s sandy, gravelly soils provide excellent drainage, forcing vines to grow deep roots, resulting in smaller berries with intensely concentrated flavors. Liatiko, in particular, is an early-ripening grape, often harvested as early as July—an unusual trait in the world of winemaking.
Wine is deeply woven into the culture of Dafnes, and every summer, the Dafnes Wine Festival celebrates this rich heritage. Visitors can taste local wines, enjoy traditional music, and even experience the centuries-old practice of drinking wine from goat skins—a nod to the time before glass bottles became widespread.
Dafnes is not just a place; it’s a living testament to Crete’s winemaking legacy, blending history, tradition, and innovation in every bottle.