The Foundations: A Quarter-Century Born from the Soil

True wine does not begin in an oak barrel; it begins in the dust, the sun, and the untamed spirit of the land. For twenty-five years, our hearts have beaten in tandem with the terroir of Crete. Our journey began nearly a quarter of a century ago in the historic heart of the PDO Peza wine region—a landscape etched with millennia of winemaking history.

It was here, in the traditional village of Kounavoi, that Manolis Garakis laid the first stones of our traditional distillery. Rooted in profound ancestral knowledge and an uncompromising love for the Cretan vineyard, he didn’t just build a business—he nurtured a philosophy.

From those very first steps, our path was clear: we chose the rigorous path of certified organic farming. This was never a trend for us; it was a sacred promise. By protecting the delicate ecosystem of our region and focusing exclusively on native Cretan varieties, we committed to preserving the living wine identity of our home for generations to come.

The Evolution From Master Distillers to Visionary Winemakers

For two decades, we listened to the land. We experimented, we learned, and we mastered the alchemy of fermentation and traditional distillation. After twenty years of meticulous trials, deep exploration, and an unyielding passion for viticulture, the next natural evolution of our estate arrived. In 2021, we officially established our boutique winery—a state-of-the-art sanctuary dedicated to capturing the raw beauty of Crete in a glass.

In 2022, our lifelong devotion took tangible form with our inaugural bottling: “LAGADA.” More than just a label, Lagada is a tribute to our origins. Named after the sun-drenched valley where the absolute core of our organic vineyards thrives, this micro-region possesses a magical microclimate. Protected yet breezy, it provides the perfect, dramatic conditions required for indigenous Cretan grapes to express their truest, most vibrant characteristics.

The Present & Beyond: A New Chapter of Liquid Artistry

The momentum only grew. In 2023, we proudly introduced three new labels, each sourced from distinct parcels of our estate. Like the diverse topography of Crete itself, each of these wines possesses its own fierce independence, unique character, and captivating personality.

Every single bottle we cork is a living testament to our core philosophy: an profound respect for the earth, a deep reverence for Cretan tradition, and an obsession with authentic, unadulterated flavors.

Today, as we look to the horizon, the spirit of experimentation at Garakis Estate never rests. We continue to evolve, to push boundaries, and to craft limited-production, world-class wines that do more than just please the palate—they transport you directly to the ancient, sun-kissed slopes of Peza.

Step off the beaten path and into the heart of PDO Peza, where 25 years of family heritage await you at Garakis Estate. Located in the historic winemaking village of Kounavoi, our boutique winery invites you on an immersive journey through the sights, aromas, and authentic flavors of Crete.

Wander through our sun-drenched, certified organic vineyards thriving 400 to 600 meters above sea level. Here, you will discover the unique expression of indigenous Cretan grape varieties—including the vibrant Muscat of Spina, Vidiano, Kotsifali, and Mantilari—nourished by the exceptional microclimate of our renowned Lagada valley.

Next, pull back the curtain on our dual heritage. Explore the traditional, rustic distillery founded by Manolis Garakis, where we still master the art of authentic Cretan raki (tsikoudia), before stepping into our modern winemaking cellar to see how we transform organic grapes into limited-production, expressive liquid art.

The highlight of your visit unfolds in our welcoming tasting space. Guided by the passionate next generation of the Garakis family, you will indulge in a curated flight of our signature estate wines and spirits, each bottle a pure reflection of our unyielding philosophy: respect for the land, reverence for tradition, and an obsession with authentic flavors.

Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or a curious traveler, our doors are open Monday through Saturday (11:00 – 17:00) to give you an unforgettable, intimate cultural experience.

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An ideal introduction to the indigenous flavors of our estate for those looking to explore the foundational character of Cretan viticulture.

An ideal introduction to the indigenous flavors of our estate for those looking to explore the foundational character of Cretan viticulture.

Included: A guided tour through our organic vineyards, followed by a curated tasting of 4 estate wines.

Pairing: Served with a traditional local platter featuring Cretan cheeses, crunchy breadsticks, and fresh garden vegetables.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Explore the intersection of winemaking and traditional Cretan spirit distillation that defined our family’s early steps 25 years ago.

Price: From €20.00 per person

Included: A guided tour through our organic vineyards, followed by a tasting of 5 estate wines and 1 pour of our authentic, traditionally distilled Cretan Raki (Tsikoudia).

Pairing: Served with a traditional local platter of local cheeses, breadsticks, and fresh vegetables.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Our ultimate, deep-dive experience designed for enthusiasts who want to taste the full evolution of Garakis Estate, contrasting styles, ages, and spirits.

Our ultimate, deep-dive experience designed for enthusiasts who want to taste the full evolution of Garakis Estate, contrasting styles, ages, and spirits.

Included: An extended guided tour through our organic vineyards, followed by an exclusive vertical tasting of 6 estate wines (exploring both new releases and cellared old vintages), plus 2 distinct pours of our traditional Cretan Raki.

Pairing: Accompanied by an artisanal platter of premium Cretan cheeses, breadsticks, and fresh vegetables.

Duration: 2 hours

Price: From €30.00 per person

A wine with an intense lemon color. On the nose we find aromas of dried flowers, citrus peels, firiki, followed by notes of spices.In the mouth, the body is moderate, with good acidity, subtle butteriness and a lasting aftertaste.

We followed a 24-hour pre-fermentation cryo – extraction and then controlled fermentation temperature for 15 days in order to bring out the rich-aromatic character of the variety. It remained for 6 months in its fine lees with weekly battonage. Grapes from the main and favorite vineyard of Lagada with a special configuration to avoid sunburn on the grapes. The buds of the Muscat grapes come from the region of Selino in Chania, the place of origin for this variety, and have been grafted to the local variety of Rozaki

Origin: PGI Crete

White Wine

Composition: 100% Muscat

fermentation in stainless steel tanks

Production; 3000 bottles

Alcohool: 13,0% vol

Red vinification with 6-day extraction and fermentation at a controlled temperature. Staying in the fine lees for 4 months and weekly battonage. One of the oldest plantings of the French variety in the area despite all the difficulties of adapting to its calcareous soils.

Origin: PGI Crete

Red Wine

Composition: syrah 100%

Process: tank fermentation 4 months aging in second- use French oak

Production; 1200 bottles.

Alcohool: 12,5% vol

Red vinification with 6-day extraction with the minimum addition of sulphite and continuation of fermentation in French oak , acacia barrels and stainless steel tanks. It remained for 6 months in it’s fine lees and weekly battonage. The wine is bottled unfiltered and without stabilization. Vineyard in the Arkadi village at 600m altitude.

Origin: PGI Crete

Red Wine

Composition: Mandilari 100%

Process: fermentation in oak barrels and stainless steel tanks

Production; 3000 bottles.

Alcohool: 13,0 % vol