Wine Tasting & Food in Zourida Gorge, Crete: 8 Wines, 8 Courses

Eight wines and eight dishes where most visitors see only crowds

A wine tasting and food experience in Crete's Zourida Gorge pairs eight Greek wines of the highest quality with an eight-course Cretan feast made entirely from locally sourced organic ingredients. You taste and eat on a stone-built balcony inside the gorge while a guide explains local winemaking methods and traditional cooking. Groups stay under 14 people.

The experience

Eight wines and eight courses unfold over four hours on a stone balcony built into Zourida Gorge, a secluded corner of Rethymno that most visitors never reach. The wines come from across Greece (native varieties chosen to stand out from the rest), and each one arrives with a Cretan dish cooked on the spot with 100% organic, locally sourced ingredients. The menu moves through aged cheeses, smoked cured pork, vine leaf rolls, hand-rolled pasta with mushrooms and pork, lamb simmered for four hours, fried zucchini with graviera, and flatbread stuffed with soft cheese and thyme honey. Nothing is plated ahead of time. The food cooks as you taste, so the heat and the flavors arrive together.

A guide walks through the winemaking heritage behind each pour and explains the traditional methods that built Cretan cooking: how the olive oil, the herbs, the slow-cooking times and the organic sourcing shape what lands on your plate. The gorge itself frames the whole thing: the stone walls, the light, the quiet that comes from being away from the crowded sites. Groups cap at 14 people, so the balcony never feels packed and the guide can move at a pace that lets questions land.

Water and soft drinks come with the tasting. The wines are the focus. Two Cretan spirits round out the 10 wine labels you taste across the afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes for the walk to the balcony, and bring an appetite. The eight courses are substantial and meant to be eaten, not sampled.

What’s included

• Eight Greek wines and two Cretan spirits.
• nine traditional Cretan dishes cooked on the spot with locally sourced 100% organic ingredients (aged cheeses, smoked cured pork, vine leaf rolls, hand-rolled pasta, lamb, flatbread, fried zucchini, and dakos).
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• tutored explanation of ancient Cretan cooking methods and local winemaking heritage.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Secret Gorge - Restaurant & Wine Tasting Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided tasting paired with live cooking: an English-speaking guide walks you through Greece's winemaking heritage and ancient Cretan techniques while eight wines and nine dishes are prepared on a gorge-side balcony.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

44 verified traveler reviews

5 ★43

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How many wines do I actually taste at this experience?

Ten wine labels from across Greece, selected for their quality and distinctiveness, plus two Cretan spirits. Each wine pairs with one of the eight Cretan dishes served during the tasting.

What is Zourida Gorge and how do I get to the tasting balcony?

Zourida Gorge is a secluded gorge in Rethymno, Crete, known for its natural beauty and isolation from the crowded tourist sites. A walk leads to the stone-built balcony where the tasting takes place. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the experience suits all fitness levels.

Are all the ingredients really local and organic?

Yes. All nine traditional Cretan dishes are cooked on the spot using 100% locally sourced organic ingredients. The menu includes items like lamb simmered for four hours in olive oil, hand-rolled Cretan pasta, smoked cured pork, and vegetables fried in extra virgin olive oil.

How long does the whole experience take?

The wine tasting and food experience runs for four hours, giving time to move through the eight wines, eight courses, and the guide's explanation of winemaking heritage and traditional Cretan cooking methods.

Is there a minimum age for this tasting?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old to participate, as this is the legal drinking age in Greece.

What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?

The menu is fixed and built around Cretan tradition, with no substitutions mentioned in the operator's details. Contact the operator before booking to discuss any dietary needs or allergies.