The Vine-Harvest Day Trip in Chania

Experience Crete’s winemaking heritage on a hands-on tour. Harvest native grapes, dance to Cretan songs, explore a 19th-century cottage, and end with a traditional feast and wine made by your own hands. 

• Harvest native Cretan grape varieties.
• Dance to traditional Cretan songs.
• Explore a restored 19th-century cottage.
• Tread grapes in a traditional old cellar.
• Enjoy a Cretan feast with homemade wine.

Embark on a journey into Crete’s rich winemaking tradition, from ancient Minoan roots to present-day practices. Begin in a family vineyard, where you’ll harvest native grape varieties like “Romeiko,” “Vidiano,” and “Kotsifali.” The experience is brought to life with Cretan songs and dances, set against the stunning backdrop of the White Mountains. After the harvest, visit a restored 19th-century Cretan cottage, where you’ll explore secret rooms and immerse yourself in the island’s culture. The tour culminates in the old cellar, where you’ll participate in the traditional process of treading freshly harvested grapes, turning them into rose or mid-red wine. As the day concludes, enjoy a traditional Cretan dinner, celebrating your hard work with local delicacies and wine, creating lasting memories of Crete’s unique hospitality and winemaking heritage. 

Delve into the time-honored wine-making traditions of Crete, a journey into the rich tapestry of Cretan winemaking, a tradition woven deeply into the island’s history, dating from the ancient Minoans to the present day. Crafted from the cherished memories of our hosts’ childhood, this tour offers a rare opportunity to partake in the winemaking process in the authentic, old-fashioned manner, unraveling the enchanting secrets of this ancient craft before your very eyes. 

Commencing in the family vineyard, you’ll engage in the harvest of indigenous grape varieties such as “Romeiko,” “Vidiano,” “Vilana,” “Kotsifali,” and “Mantilari.” This unique undertaking transforms into a grand celebration, accompanied by the rhythmic cadence of traditional Cretan songs, sung and danced by locals. The echoes of these melodies reverberate against the backdrop of the White Mountains, creating an indescribable atmosphere that can only be truly comprehended through firsthand experience. 

Following the harvest, a visit to the family’s cottage-house awaits—a meticulously restored, traditional Cretan dwelling dating back to the 19th century. Here, you’ll bask in the warmth of Cretan hospitality and delve into the island’s cultural heritage, with secret rooms unveiling the passage of time in Crete. 

The culmination of the tour unfolds in the old cellar, where the freshly harvested grapes undergo the age-old process of treading. With a treadle ready and a collective effort, the grapes are gently crushed beneath our feet, revealing the first juice that will eventually take on a delicate rose or mid-red hue. 

As dusk falls, the culmination of your labor unfolds in a traditional Cretan dinner, a feast of local delicacies harmoniously paired with the fruits of your winemaking endeavor. A rewarding conclusion to a day of toil, this convivial gathering encapsulates the spirit of Crete, inviting you to savor the essence of the island’s rich traditions and unparalleled hospitality.

• GS Tours Chania, Episkopou Chrisanthou, Chania, Greece

Children must always be accompanied by an adult, Not wheelchair accessible, Wine tasting is not allowed for children under 18 years old. Water or fresh orange juice will be offered instead., The company reserves the right to make minor changes in the program when this is considered necessary, for example in case of unfavorable weather conditions. This can be done without prior notice., Reservations must be made 12 hours before the tour. A cancellation must be done 24 hours before the tour for a refund. In case of later cancellations, no refund will be made from the company., If a tour is cancelled due to low participation or bad weather conditions, the company will refund 100% of made payments, In case of allergies, tolerances or food preferences please inform the company in advance.

The company reserves the right to make minor changes in the program when this is considered necessary, for example in case of unfavorable weather conditions. This can be done without prior notice., Reservations must be made 12 hours before the tour. A cancellation must be done 24 hours before the tour for a refund. In case of later cancellations, no refund will be made from the company., If a tour is cancelled due to low participation or bad weather conditions, the company will refund 100% of made payments, In case of allergies, tolerances or food preferences please inform the company in advance.