Manousakis Winery

The vineyards are situated on the hills just outside the village of Vatolakkos where the soils are predominantly rich in clay and argil, ideal for limited plant growth but great for good soil wringing. The Mediterranean climate keeps them on their toes but provide them conditions needed for delicious grapes.

Since 1993, they have been planting vineyards at elevations of 350 meters (1200 ft) to 650 meters (2100 ft) above sea level, on 13 hectares (32 acres) of rough terrain. The chosen varieties have thrived and have done exceptionally well in their environment, achieving great balance in the vineyard and finding a comfortable home in Crete.

Being sensitive to the balance of the ecosystem is vital to the winery’s philosophy and they are committed to the sustainable development of the vineyards through the use of rigorous earth-friendly practices. The vineyard team works vine by vine, mostly by hand, in weed removal, leaf thinning, stem thinning, and harvesting. Each vine is treated with individual attention and care. Due to the wide variation of soil conditions, they practice customized farming for the many small plots that make up the vineyard. This “mosaic” style of cultivation is time consuming and often tedious but the winery believes it is necessary for uniform fruit ripeness and the production of great quality wines.

To date, Manousakis winery’s wine range has grown and we are currently producing 12 different labels as well as the local grape distillate called Tsikoudia.

The wines travel all over the world and are have received numerous awards for their quality.