Crete: Wine & Olive Oil Tour with Milia Mountain Lunch

Summary

Crete wine tasting tour with olive oil, mountain retreat lunch, local stories and off-road drive

You’ll sip fresh-pressed olive oil with local producers near Chania, sample Cretan wines paired with snacks, then head off-road to Milia Mountain Retreat for a rustic lunch in stone houses without electricity. Along the way you’ll meet real people behind these flavors and see wild landscapes that stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way our driver, Manolis, greeted us outside Chania — like he’d been waiting for old friends. He handed me a tiny cup of Greek coffee (stronger than I expected) and pointed to this ancient olive tree nearby, still gnarled but alive after 3,000 years. It’s hard to explain how quiet it felt there except for the soft clink of cups and a chicken somewhere behind the farmhouse. Manolis told us his grandfather used to pick olives from that same tree. I tried to imagine that kind of time passing — honestly, it made me feel small in a good way.

We set off in this sturdy 4x4 (air conditioning was a relief — Crete in summer is no joke), winding through villages where old men waved from shaded doorways. At Anoskeli’s olive mill and winery, Maria — one of the producers — poured bright green oil onto bread for us. I can still taste that peppery kick at the back of my throat. She explained how their extra virgin olive oil is pressed within hours of picking; her hands moved fast as she talked, like she was shaping invisible dough. The wine tasting came next: five glasses lined up with names I couldn’t pronounce (Li laughed when I tried). Local cheese and olives on the side — salty, crumbly, perfect with the reds.

The drive up to Milia Mountain Retreat was bumpier than expected (I nearly lost my hat out the window), but when we finally arrived… well, it’s not like anywhere else. No electricity, just stone houses tucked into green hillsides and birds swooping low over the roofs. Lunch was slow and earthy: beans stewed with wild herbs, lamb so tender you barely needed a knife, homemade bread still warm from the oven. We sat around a rough wooden table while Manolis told us about how Milia used to be abandoned until locals brought it back to life. There was something grounding about eating food grown right there — maybe it’s cheesy but I felt connected somehow.

On the way back we stopped at Topolia gorge. The wind picked up and vultures circled overhead; someone pointed out mountain goats scrambling along impossible ledges. My phone is full of blurry photos because I kept trying to catch them mid-leap (not very successfully). The whole day felt like being let in on a secret side of Crete — not just tasting things but meeting people who actually make them happen. I still think about that view from Milia sometimes when things get noisy at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine and olive oil tour with lunch

• Touch 3000-year-old olive tree
• Enjoy coffee at Cretan farm
• Taste extra virgin olive oil
• Taste 5 local wines with snacks
• Explore Chania area by 4WD vehicle
• Visit Topolia gorge for photos
• Arrive at Milia Mountain Retreat
• Enjoy lunch with Cretan cuisine and wine
• Explore Southwest Crete by 4WD vehicle

Top questions

How long does the Crete wine & olive oil tour last?

The tour lasts most of the day, including tastings and lunch before returning in the afternoon or early evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Chania?

Yes, pickup is included within 5km east or 25km west of Chania.

Are vegetarian options available for lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat?

Yes, vegetarian meals are available if you request them when booking.

How many people are on each tour vehicle?

The semi-private tour includes up to 6 guests per guide/vehicle.

What wines are tasted during this Crete winery experience?

You’ll try five different labels of local wine at Anoskeli’s winery.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Does the tour operate in all weather conditions?

Yes, it runs rain or shine—just dress appropriately for mountain weather.

What makes Milia Mountain Retreat special?

Milia is an eco-friendly retreat in restored 17th-century stone houses without electricity—named among National Geographic’s top 50 eco-tourism sites worldwide.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup near Chania, all tastings of extra virgin olive oil and five local wines paired with snacks, bottled water throughout the journey, plus coffee or juice at your first stop. You’ll travel by comfortable air-conditioned 4WD vehicle with a small group and enjoy a full Cretan lunch (with your first round of wine or beer) at Milia Mountain Retreat before heading back in the evening.