Wine Tasting Tour Crete: 2 Wineries & Traditional Lunch

Two wineries, vineyard views, and a tavern lunch in one morning or afternoon

A wine tasting tour in Crete visits two working wineries in the Heraklion region, where you taste local varieties, learn how Cretan wine is made, and eat a traditional Greek lunch with local wine included. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned minivan are part of the booking, and the whole day runs 4 to 5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and traditional lunch

• Taste wines at Lyrarakis winery
• Learn about Crete's wine regions and production
• Enjoy traditional Greek lunch at local tavern

The experience

You start from your hotel or any central point in the North Heraklion region (Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Malia, Gouves or the surrounding towns), and travel by air-conditioned minivan to the first winery. There you taste Cretan wines while looking out over the grape yards, learning the main wine regions of Crete and the key local grape varieties as you go. The winery can shift depending on the date (Lyrarakis or Doloufakis are the usual stops), so if you have a preference, let the operator know when you book.

After the first tasting, you move to a second winery for more wines and a deeper look at how Cretan wine production actually works. Between tastings and after, you have the chance to buy bottles at a discount if anything catches your taste. Then the tour ends at one of the best taverns in the Heraklion region, where you eat a full traditional Greek lunch: salad, appetizer, main dish, water and local wine all included. The whole experience (tastings, transfer, lunch, the guide's talk about Cretan food and wine) takes 4 to 5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages, so the commentary works for most travelers. If you have food allergies, mention them when you book so the tavern can adjust. The tour suits anyone with a free afternoon or a few hours before an early departure, and it works for all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Wine tasting at two Cretan wineries.
• lunch with salad, appetizer, main dish, water and local wine.
• hotel or central pickup within the North Heraklion region.
• transfer by air-conditioned minivan.
• live guide commentary about Cretan gastronomy and wine production.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30, 10:00 and 13:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Status MLB Travel Agency

Is this one for you?Small groups keep the pace relaxed and the tastings unhurried, so you absorb the details without feeling rushed through the wineries. Book this if you have a free afternoon or a few hours between activities and want to skip the beach routine for something more hands-on.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

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 grape varieties will I taste on this tour?

Cretan wines showcase the main local grape varieties grown in the region's key wine areas. The guide explains which ones you're tasting at each winery and how they're used in Cretan wine production, though the exact bottles shift depending on the winery's current stock and the date of your visit.

Can I buy wine to take home?

Yes. At both wineries, you can buy your favorite bottles at a discount price. Purchases are optional and not included in the tour price, but the discount applies only during the tour.

What's included in the lunch at the tavern?

Lunch includes a salad, an appetizer, a main dish, water, and local wine. The tavern serves traditional Greek cuisine and is one of the best in the Heraklion region.

Where does the minivan pick me up?

Pickup happens from your hotel or any other location within the North Heraklion region, including Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Malia, Gouves, Agia Pelagia, Karteros and surrounding towns. If you're staying outside this area, extra charges of 10 to 50 euros per person may apply depending on the distance. The operator will confirm the cost after you book.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including both wine tastings, the tavern lunch, and travel time between sites.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Younger children cannot join, though service animals are welcome on the tour.