Lyrarakis Winery Private Wine Tasting in Heraklion

Taste Cretan wine and olive oil with a sommelier, then sit down to dinner at a family-run vineyard.

A private five-hour wine tasting and dinner experience at Lyrarakis Winery, one of Crete's oldest family-run estates, with certified sommelier guidance, hotel pickup and all meals included. The experience is fully customized to your group's interests, mixing wine education with Cretan cuisine and the vineyard's own olive oil. Personal wine or oil purchases at the winery are optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private winery visit and tasting

• Travel to Lyrarakis Winery
• Explore vineyard views
• Enjoy private wine tasting

The experience

You arrive at Lyrarakis Winery, one of the biggest and most historical wineries in Crete, where a certified sommelier meets your group for a private tasting. The winery is family-run and sits in the middle of the island's wine country, away from the main tourist routes. Your sommelier guides you through the tasting, explaining the vineyard's approach to Cretan wine and what makes each bottle distinct. This is not a rushed group experience. The tasting is built around what your group wants to explore, whether that's the history of the estate, the winemaking process, or simply the flavors themselves.

Dinner follows the tasting, served at the winery with authentic Cretan cuisine and the estate's own olive oil featured in the meal. You sit with views of the vineyard, and the sommelier remains available to answer questions or suggest pairings. The five-hour window gives you time to linger without feeling hurried through the property. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

If you want to take home a bottle or a bottle of their olive oil, you can purchase directly at the winery during the visit. Everything else (the tasting, the dinner, the sommelier's time, and your transport) is included in the booking.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and return transport.
• wine tasting led by a certified sommelier.
• dinner with authentic Cretan cuisine and the winery's olive oil.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 to 85 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Genuine Experience by Rami Masount

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a free afternoon in Heraklion and want to taste wine with expert guidance rather than browse a winery alone. The private format means the sommelier adjusts the pace and depth to your group's interests, and the included dinner turns the tasting into a full experience rather than a quick stop.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly happens during the wine tasting at Lyrarakis?

A certified sommelier leads your group through a private tasting of the winery's wines, explaining the vineyard's history and winemaking style. The tasting is customized to your group's interests, so you can focus on whatever appeals to you most: the estate's story, the production methods, or simply tasting through their range.

Is dinner included, and what kind of food will we eat?

Yes, dinner is included and features authentic Cretan cuisine prepared with the winery's own olive oil. You eat at the winery with vineyard views, and the sommelier can suggest wine pairings if you'd like.

How does the private format work for a group?

The experience is private to your group alone, meaning no strangers join your tasting or dinner. Groups can range from two people to larger parties, and the sommelier tailors the pacing and focus to what your group wants to explore.

What's included in the five-hour experience?

Private transportation from your hotel, the wine tasting with a certified sommelier, dinner with Cretan food and the winery's olive oil, and all fees and taxes are included. Wine or olive oil bottles you want to take home are optional purchases at the winery.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the winery?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you're collected from your accommodation and returned after the experience ends.