Lyrarakis is a big part of the reason some of Crete's rarest grapes still exist. Brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis founded it in 1966 at Alagni, south of Heraklion, and made their name rescuing native varieties that had nearly disappeared, replanting Dafni and Plyto in the early 1990s and later reviving Melissaki. Dafni is named for laurel, which its aroma recalls almost exactly.
The winery runs a dedicated visiting cellar with a small vine museum and daily tastings in season, alongside a wider range of Vidiano, Vilana, Thrapsathiri and Assyrtiko.
Dedicated visiting cellar with a small vine museum, vineyard walks and guided tastings; open daily in season.
Planning a trip here? Ask the author a question below ↓
Traveler Notes & Questions
Tips from real visits are the most helpful thing on this page — takes 30 seconds, no account needed.
