What to do and see in Rethymnon, Crete: The Best Wine Tours & Tastings

Have the opportunity to visit the only fresh water natural lake in the island of Crete, where you will relax and have a coffee break in a local taverna. You will admire the beauty of nature by riding a pedalo and for the brave ones by swimming into the lake with the ducks and the turtles. Next is the main destination the winery, where you will have a tour in the courtyard, the botanical garden and then to the production and storage area of the wines, to learn all the secrets of production and bottling. Then you will taste the delicacies of Crete in a light lunch with local wine.

Inclusions: Lunch, Alcoholic Beverages, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions:

Privately catered Wine, Food and Art Pairing by your very own certified sommelier in an artful setting! Led by a diploma level sommelier this epic tour combines wine, food and art in a single inspiring experience! Meet a world exhibiting local artist and ceramist in his inspiring garden, Venetian villa and atelier and admire his work, as he welcomes you for a private wine and food pairing. Indulge in a Lunch paired with curated local Cretan and Greek wines. The tour is combined with sightseeing in Chania's wine region and winery visit to explore a local winery's cellars, production units, gardens and vineyards for a complete experience.

Inclusions: Privately catered Greek Meze style lunch, 10 wines to be tasted, Private Sommelier (Diploma Level) and professional commentary, Visit one winery, Visit a famous artist's atelier, Sightseeing in the heart of Crete's inland, Complimentary refreshments in the car, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions:

Be transported to a magical world of wine, monasteries, chapels and scenic villages. Take the Sacred Paths to wonder! The tour’s first stop is the historic winery of the Monastery of Tzagarolon, this beautiful monastery is set in the picturesque Akrotiri peninsula of Chania. The temple features admirable Byzantine architecture, a folklore museum and an ancient library of rarities. Sample select wines from the monastery’s production while admiring and learning about the wine equipment of the past on display, your tasting will be paired with a small ‘kerasma’ meze offering. Enjoy a picturesque drive to the family-owned Dourakis Winery in Apokoronas to learn about viticulture and the winemaking process and taste their wine. The next stop is to a well-hidden old-style kafeneio, and just across from it is the last ‘sacred’ stop to meet the key holder of a treasured chapel to explore its beautifully painted Byzantine art interiors.

Inclusions: Traditional Greek/Cretan Meze lunch, 8 wines to be tasted, Private Sommelier (Diploma Level) and professional commentary, Visit the monastery of Agia Triada, Visit a local Cretan winery, Visit a beautiful hidden village, Explore Byzantine art at a beautiful small chapel, Complimentary refreshments in the car

Exclusions:

Escape on the most intimate and exclusive of Cretan brunch journey's with your beloved one or a group of friends. At the winery, you'll explore a vineyard, cellar and other production facilities before you dive into a homemade Cretan brunch. The setup is designed to please the eyes! On the menu are fresh eggs form the hencoop, local cheese, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden, an aunty’s pie, sheep’s yoghurt and honey from The Psiloritis mountains. Cold cuts from a small producer and homemade rusks. Your brunch will be served in hand-made natural ceramic plates and dishes for an elevated experience. This unique pairing of wine for brunch is handcrafted to hearty, healthy and delicious perfection. All pots and plates are handmade with care by a local ceramist from natural clay. Depending on the winery and your location, we will include a short cultural stop to a pottery village, gorge or traditional kafenio (Cretan Café).

Inclusions: 6 wines to taste, Indulge in a Cretan brunch prepared just for you, Visit a cultural site such as the village of Margarites or a hidden Gorge, Professional guide sommelier with a certified diploma level from WSET, Pick-up and drop-off from and to your hotel, Refreshments during the trip, WiFi on board, Explore a winery, it's cellars and gardens

Exclusions:

The region of Heraklion is the largest wine region of Crete where the majority of wineries are situated. On this private and exclusive tour, dive into the world of Crete’s indigenous grapes, explore some of the region’s most beautiful scenery and vineyards, lightly trek to ancient wine presses, hidden Byzantine churches and taste some of the best wines that Crete has to offer. Explore two authentic Cretan wineries, their vineyards and cellars while learning their stories. Finally, indulge in a full wine and Cretan lunch pairing at a winery, one of the healthiest cuisines of the Mediterranean. The itineraries in Heraklion wine zone are designed exclusively based on your wine profile and set for you personally prior to the tour. Please don't hesitate to send us a request with your wine profile, and we can customise the wines to your taste.

Inclusions: Farm to table Lunch with wine pairing, 8-10 wines to taste, Sightseeing in Heraklion's wine country, Visit ancient presses and/or Byzantine chapels , Visit Two Wineries, Visit two vineyards, Private Sommelier (Diploma Level) and professional commentary, Complimentary refreshments in the car

Exclusions:

The house of wine offer you an amazing experience to native varieties of the Cretan vineyard through the delicious and aromatic character that floods from our glass. The visitor will know the varieties through the final product that will reveal the characteristics of the places as well as the personal touches of the winemaker offering a unique result

Inclusions: Κρασιά, Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions:

Explore 3 amazing locations in a single day! A hidden herb garden with stunning views, a major natural attraction for a photo opp moment and explore a famous winery, which includes lunch, wine pairing and wine tasting. The tour’s first stop is an organic herb farm. Start by learning about the precious herbs of the land by a professional agronomist. Harvest mountain tea and botanicals to make your own tea blend! A short walk away is the picture-perfect entry point to Samaria Gorge, Take in the stunning panoramic views and snap some photos. After identifying aromas and tastes of herbs it is time to discover their influence in the wine. The next stop is the famous Manousakis winery to enjoy a wine and lunch pairing in their lush gardens. The produce is farm to table and the winery makes some of Crete's more famous wines from indigenous and international grapes organically grown in the Manousakis vineyards.

Inclusions: Farm to Table Lunch, 5 wines to taste, Herbal tea picking and blending from an herbal farm, Visit a Herb farm and blend your own Cretan mountain tea, Visit a Cretan winery, Visit the lookout point of Samaria Gorge, Private Sommelier (Diploma Level) and professional commentary

Exclusions:

Crete is famous for its hospitality, local history and gastronomy. Wine is a part of history and an essential part of gastronomy. Food, dance and music are culture of a Cretan. We invite you to a local winery tour with wine tasting and then we will go to a traditional village to enjoy live Cretan music, food and dancing.. Do you want to live it? Do you want to be part of one and the same group in an exceptional traditional place where you will feel the Cretan hospitality and love? But before to discover and enjoy the Cretan night, you will visit a winery, taste Local Cretan wines and learn everything from this “magic water”, in order to be in the mood for the rest of the night.

Inclusions: Winery entrance, Food and show, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions:

Explore the glorious Cave of Zeus and East Crete unspoiled landmarks with maximum comfort and privacy. Your private local insider guide will customize for you uncharted itineraries to the mountainous region of Lassithi where you will visit authentic Cretan villages, connect with locals, and engage with the stunning nature of East Crete. Furthermore, you will experience local wine-tasting and savor traditional lunch in a picturesque place. Last but not least, you will visit a ceramic workshop and the iconic town of Agios Nikolaos. Don't forget that among Crete's iconic gems like Elafonisi beach, Chrissi island, Knossos Palace, and safari there are so many other things to explore!

Inclusions: Personal pick-up & drop-off with a flexibly adjusted pick-up time, Chauffeured premium vehicle at your disposal, Vehicle comforts: mineral water, fresh fruit & snacks, Wi-Fi, USB sockets & hygiene amenities, Private knowledgeable local insider guide, Exclusive insider-access opportunities & tailored details of your personal interest, Dine as locals do: restaurant & bar recommendations, Full support from your travel planner before & during your day trip

Exclusions: Admission fees , Drinks and meals, Wine-tasting (if requested)

Starting the journey we will discover the process of production of Cretan virgin olive oil in the modern Kanakis Olive Oil Mill through some secret knowledge as well as through the tasting of true local olive oil. Wander through the vineyards, the wooden cellars of the winery, and feel the culture and history of the winery through the wonderful aromas of the different grape varieties. Complete your excursion with a light meal next to the running waters of the village of Vryses enjoying the dew and shade of the tree leaves.

Inclusions: Light lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Extra charge if the pickup is not in Rethymno district