Lyrarakis

Greece | Crete

Organic Farming

The Lyrarakis estate is a family vineyard and winery which has been producing high-quality wines since 1966.

Lyrarakis has devoted itself to the revival of indigenous, almost extinct, rare varieties such as Dafni, Plyto, Melissaki and others, vinifying wines that highlight their unique and distinctive character.

Lyrarakis is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni (440 metres above sea level), south of the city of Heraklion, in Crete. The soils are predominantly loam with either more sand or clay depending on the vineyard site. The well-preserved 14th-century stone-presses in the fields around the winery are proof of the area’s long history of grape-growing and winemaking.

In charge of winemaking, is Myriam Ambuzer who has been vital in securing Lyrarakis a place in the elite wineries of Greece. Her philosophy emphasises precision, purity and the supple texture of the fruit. She argues it is all about expressing authenticity and achieving harmony and that every variety needs to be worked in its own special way.