Wine Tasting and Farm to Table

Tour Highlights

    · Spend a day with one of the best wine-makers of Crete

·   Relish in a private wine tasting in an intimate cellar

·       Taste at least 10 labels – Discover new grape varietals

·       Learn how to barrel-taste

·       Explore Crete’s scenic interior

·       Taste extra virgin olive oil in an olive grove

·       Learn about the olive tree cultivation and harvest

·       Savor a culinary experience hosted in a local’s farmhouse

·       Experience authentic Cretan hospitality

Overview

Tailored to oenophile foodies and travelers interested in exploring Crete’s authentic culture, this tour aims to make you familiar with the isle’s excitingly diverse terroir in an intimate premium wine tasting hosted at one of the most well known wineries of the island as well as with authentic Cretan Cuisine in a private farm to fork experience in a local family’s 19th century farmhouse, in an olive grove. Get an insider’s perspective with a local passionate foodie and wine connoisseur, who will guide you into the island’s less known interior, where you will discover a lush setting of gentle slopes and hills covered with olive trees, vines, flowers and herbs. A tour of the vineyards of the LYRARAKIS WINERY and an intimate tasting will be hosted by George Lyrarakis himself, a well-respected pioneer wine maker and co-owner of the family estate. George will take you on a journey into a universe of less known, ancient Cretan grape varietals, many of which were revived due to the strenuous efforts of your host and his family, as well as fascinating expressions of international grapes, in single bottlings and blends. Barrel-tasting being the best way to test potential and evolution prior to bottling, you will be making the acquaintance of a notorious wine thief to learn how to steal wine from the cask to taste! Upon conclusion of the tasting session, transfer to the neighboring village for a private home-hosted meal in a family-run olive grove. Follow your host on short walk around the area and learn about cultivation and harvest of the olive tree and how to taste various qualities of olive oil, Crete’s undisputed liquid gold, while a royal meal is being prepared for you. At festive table you will explore various delicious local dishes of the famous Cretan Cuisine that is traditionally based on seasonality and simplicity. The small farm supplies most of the organic ingredients for a seasonal menu, that changes every few weeks to always include fresh organic salads, “horta” dishes, home-made bread with flour from the local mill-house, fresh soft goat cheese from the best cheese makers in the area, vegan, vegetarian and iconic meat dishes. Sit comfortably, feast like a local and when the time comes, bid your hosts farewell and transfer privately to your lodgings.

Included tour features

·       Pick up & return private luxury transfer

·       Fluent English-speaking expert guide

·       Admission fees to all sites and venues

·       Premium wine tasting, barrel-tasting, vineyard tour

·       Lunch or dinner, beverages, water

·       All applicable taxes

Not included

·       Expenses of personal nature

·       Gratuities (left to your sole discretion)

We advise:

·       Comfortable shoes, sun block, sunglasses, hut, camera

Duration: 8 hours (approx.)