A short drive from the famous Bronze Age archaeological site of Knossos, the centre of the ancient Cretan Minoan civilisation, is the Lyrarakis Winery.
The estate was founded by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis in 1966, and is now run by next-generation Bart Lyrarakis. The family have made their name through their efforts to identify and rescue Cretan grape varieties on the cusp of extinction and now wines made from Dafni, Plyto and Melissaki are fixtures in their portfolio.
The estate has 15 hectares under vineyard but also manages additional land under contract, helping to provide a profitable structure for local farmers. Although Crete has a hot Mediterranean climate, the island is also blessed with high mountains to counteract the summer heat, and many vineyards are now planted above 500 metres above sea-level and produce remarkably fresh white wines. For visitors to the island there is also an excellent and highly recommended visitor experience.
Wines to Seek out
We'll have six of Lyrarakis' single vineyard expressions available to purchase from The Cellar Door Shop. With styles ranging from light, aromatic whites to fuller-bodied, more textured examples and one exceptional red, it's a window into a region unfamiliar to many and a delight to discover.
Why Lyrarakis?
Farming with Nature:
Their vineyards in Crete are managed organically and the estate practices a "no plough" approach to viticulture. This prevents soil compaction, preserves microbial structure within the ground and helps to maintain the soil's natural water retaining qualities- a very important attribute in a place with hot summers and long, dry periods.
The more, the merrier:
Biodiversity is key to vineyard health- Lyrarakis implement an annual soil, water and ecosystem audit to ensure maximum site vitality.
Waste not, want not:
Lyrarakis maximise the efficiency of their site ecosystem, from the vineyard to the visitor experience. The only fertiliser used across their vineyards is made from winemaking byproducts, organic kitchen waste and waste product from local oil mills.
A good neighbour:
Social responsibility is at the centre of their business operations. They monitor their impact on the local community and environment to a scientific degree, with an annual air quality and community impact audit to identify any problems before they arise. They also maintain transparency through their sustainability report.
The heart of their mission as a business, however, is their fervour for regenerating lost, forgotten or unprofitable vineyards, into something truly beautiful. So, expect new-to-you grape varieties and unexpected new favourites.
Highlight Wine: Jim's Pick
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