Stilianou Kotsifali is a dessert wine, solely from grapes of the red cretan variety Kotsifali. Winemaker grow this variety at privately owned vineyards which lie in the centre of viticulture region  known since Minoan era. In this traditional method, winemakers spread the grapes on “tsisveres” (traditional wooden boards for grape drying)  in a way that allows for air to flow through and prevent any humidity issues and are left for eight days under the bright cretan sun.

Stilianou winery

Winery Stilianou is  is a small organic grower  winery located in Kounavi . They are  focusing on indigenous Cretan grape varieties. Giannis Stilianou and his son run 7 hectares of organic vineyards . Mostly  local Vidiano , Thrapsathiri,  Vilana, Kotsifali,  Mandilari grape varieties. The hot summer of  Crete stress the vines, and the winemaker decided to avoid any irrigation.  In other words,  the winery don’t use  dripping  irrigation or spraying any water.  As a result, wines complete concentration of intense flavors and aromas. The winery is a family business since 1922 and  produce about 20.000 bottles per year and each of them is numbered. In total, the winery produce 6 labels:  Theon Dora white, Theon Dora rosé, Mother red, Great Mother amber  (natural white wine) , Theon Gi (organic red wine),  Kotsifali sweet red

The vineyards:

Most of the vineyards lay on limestone and rocks soils at an average of 350 to 400 meters high .  The owner planted the oldest vineyards still in activity in 1982.  In addition, they planted some new vineyards in 2011.  The vineyards location and altitude ensure the vineyards to benefit from the hot summer sun from the island of Crete. However, there is some natural cooling system. Altitude, first, that helps cooling down during night. And so do the  “Meltemi” north cold wind  from Central Greece and cycladic island. Mostly in july and august, when grapes end their growth.

Idaia sweet red wine Liatiko is a  Decanter bronze medalist award. It has a dark red caramel color and aromas of chocolate, coffee, fig and grape. The acidity and sweetness are in total harmony and there is an impressively long aftertaste. Initially sun dried grapes for 8 days; red vinification is following skin extract at 30ºC and fermentation. Ageing for 3 years in oak barrels

Idaia winery

Idaia is a family winery whose members have obtained remarkable achievements. Thanks to their knowledge, experience and love for wine production. Their passion for the wine targets in attracting more and more people in order to initiate them in the charm of wines. The oenologists Laderos Vasilis and Volitaki Calliope aim in creating of high quality wines using all the proper methods.

A careful selection of raw materials and the controlled wine production allows them to create superb wines with strong personality and solid flavored character. The winery produces approximately 90,000 liters per year which is gradually increasing with emphasis in quality.

in short, “Idaia” is the first name of ancient Crete. This was the name of the mother of the ten Kouretes. Her husband Zeus, was the king of Crete. Zeus wanted to honour his wife, therefore he named the whole island “Idaia”.

Location

 Idaia winery is located in Venerato, a charming village in the heart of the vineyards at the Malevizi district. It is a part of the appellation Dafnes area. Venerato is situated in one of the lowest hills of Psiloritis mountain. Venerato, as well as all the Malevizi region, was renowned for its famous sweet wines.

Malvazia was the name of these famous wines during the Venetian rule times and exported from Heraklion port throughout the Mediterranean Sea. This area is rich in ancient and Roman winepresses. Therefore, it indicative of the strong presence of wine production in this area, since Minoan era until today.

 The production of wines derived from traditional local varieties such as Kotsifali, Liatiko, Mandilaria which are the red ones, and Vidiano, Vilana, Thrapsathiri which are the white ones.

The company’s main philosophy is to highlight the quality of our local varieties on one hand. On the other hand, they create new combinations of the local varieties with European varieties such as Syrah, Grenache Rouge, Sauvignon etc.

A complex, well-made dessert wine with the color of caramelized cherry. There are aromas of dried fruits such as prunes, raisins and figs with hints of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Full, delicious, sweet and sour mouth feel.

Region: Siva, Heraklion

The  winery

The Silva Daskalaki sweet red  wine is part of the 14 labels of Daskalaki’s family. The tradition in viticulture and wine production started in 1920 for them.  Nowadays, this is the third generation running the winery. Since 2003, they have started a substantial revitalization of the 80 privately owned decares, using integrated organic farming to cultivate the land in limy-clayey soils and in an altitude of 400-600 meters.

Silva Daskalaki Winery is located in Siva, a small village in the Regional Unit of Heraklion. Therefore, in an ideal ecosystem they can highlight the richness and the distinctiveness of soil and terroir.  Viticulture and wine production have been the local traditions there for a very long time.  the Cretan wines in a qualitative way, the family primarily focuses on local varieties, such as Liatiko, Mandilari, Plyto etc, but also on international wine varieties.  Moreover, since 2003, the winery equiped bthe production and bottling area with machines.

The first official bottling in Daskalakis’ Winery took place in 2005 with the “Liatiko” Dry Wine PDO (Product of Designated Origin) and  Silva Daskalaki sweet red “Liastos” , a naturally Sweet Wine OPAP– (Product of Appellation of Superior Quality).

A couple of years later, in 2008, the winery won the “Grand Gold” Medal for Enstikto Red, year 2006 (Varieties of grapes: Syrah-Kotsifali). They obtained the highest accolade in an International Wine Competition.  In 2017, the Silva Daskalaki rose wine  Grifos was vinificated and bottled for the first time in a limited amount. The quantities produced in the winery are small, as the aim is to produce high quality products.

Silva Daskalaki liastos is a very special wine from the local liatiko grape variety. The winemaker put the grapes to dry  naturally in the sun, making this a dessert wine, but not cloyingly sweet. Dominant aromas include chocolate and dried fruit. Ideal accompaniment to fruits and most desserts, especially chocolate-based.

Region: Siva, Heraklion

The  winery

The Silva Daskalaki liastos wine is part of the 14 labels of Daskalaki’s family. The  tradition in viticulture and wine production started in 1920 for them.  Nowadays, this is the third generation running the winery. Since 2003, they have started a substantial revitalization of the 80 privately owned decares, using integrated organic farming to cultivate the land in limy-clayey soils and in an altitude of 400-600 meters.

Silva Daskalaki Winery is located in Siva, a small village in the Regional Unit of Heraklion. In an ideal ecosystem that can highlight the richness and the distinctiveness of local terroir.  Viticulture and wine production have been the local traditions there for a very long time. the Cretan wines in a qualitative way, the family primarily focuses on local varieties, such as Liatiko, Mandilari, Plyto etc, but also on international wine varieties.  Moreover, since 2003, the winery equiped bthe production and bottling area with machines.

The first official bottling in Daskalakis’ Winery took place in 2005 with the “Liatiko” Dry Wine PDO (Product of Designated Origin) and “Liastos” Naturally Sweet Wine OPAP– (Product of Appellation of Superior Quality).

A couple of years later, in 2008, the winery was awarded the “Grand Gold” Medal for Enstikto Red, year 2006 (Varieties of grapes: Syrah-Kotsifali). The fact that they managed to obtain the highest accolade in an International Wine Competition made the whole family feel particularly pleased and proud.  In 2017, the Silva Daskalaki rose wine  Grifos was vinificated and bottled for the first time in a limited amount. The quantities produced in the winery are small, as the aim is to produce high quality products.