Private Vine Harvest Excursion, Chania

Get ready to step on some grapes, explore a thousand years old traditions and taste some truly local flavors and wines.

Overview

Crete is known for its long history of wine-making and, in fact, is the second-largest wine-producing region in all of Greece — a perfect spot for a vine harvest day trip! Discover the traditional art of wine-making by spending the day in a family vineyard, harvesting local varieties of grapes, and then stomping them with your bare feet. You'll learn every step of wine-making and the ancient techniques that come with it. Visit a family cottage and experience the warmth of Cretan hospitality. Finish your day with a traditional dinner served with local delicacies and a lot of wine! You'll get a unique glimpse into local culture as you join in on this timeless Cretan tradition.

Highlights

Harvest vine in a family vineyard
Take part in the wine-making process
Sample local wine and cheese
Have a freshly made dinner along with good Cretan wine
Enjoy the fantastic view of the Aegean Sea and the mountain around

Know before you go

Duration
8h

Recommended for
All ages

Group
Private

Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

Spending the day at a family vineyard is truly an authentic way to experience Greece's rural life. Explore the ancient wine-making tradition in Crete by participating in a vine harvest while engaging with a local family and learning everything about traditional wine-making first-hand.

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the vineyard. The local family will welcome you on your arrival and give you a quick tour of the place. Then off you go, with a bucket and a pair of pruning shears to harvest the unique varieties of grapes found in Crete, such as romeiko, vidiano, vilana, kotsifali, and mantilari. As you work, locals will be singing and dancing to traditional Cretan songs—a grand celebration!

Afterward, you'll visit a 19th-century Cretan home and its unique rooms, each representing different eras of Crete's history. You'll gain an insightful look into this amazing island's culture and traditions. Continue to the wine cellars, and you'll see the grapes you've picked are ready for the second step of the wine-making process. Step on the grapes with your feet in the old cellar and observe as the first juice appears. After a long smashing procedure, watch as the grapes soak in the juice and take on either a rose or mid-red color.

After a full day of working, you will be treated to a traditional Cretan dinner filled with local delicacies and plenty of wine. It's a great way to end the day after all your hard work—cheers!

Start times

Daily

9:00 am

What's included

English-speaking local driver
Local cook
Wine and food tasting
Commemorative gifts

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