South of Heraklion the hills turn to vineyards, and Archanes, one of the most beautifully restored villages in Greece, sits right in the middle of them. We drive you through the wine country to a family winery for a guided tasting of local varieties such as Vidiano and Kotsifali. There is time to wander Archanes' neoclassical lanes and enjoy a traditional lunch, while we take care of the driving.
Highlights
- Guided tasting at a family winery
- The restored village of Archanes
- No driving after the wine
A little history
Wine has been made around Archanes since Minoan times: at nearby Vathypetro stands one of the oldest wine presses ever found in Europe. The area also hides Minoan sanctuaries on the slopes of Mount Juktas, and today its vineyards produce some of Crete's best-known wines.