Idaia wine from Crete: Every year we go wine tasting in the winter to choose wines for the next summer. We were very pleased with the quality of Idaia wine from central Crete. We went to taste wine again in the Idaia wine factory, because their wines were so good last year. Is also a good wine year for Idaia again! Idaia is a delicious affordable wine. We tasted all kinds of different wines and decided straight away we will serve Idaia wines again this year. It’s a hard job to go wine tasting in the winter. But we want to make sure our guests and wine lovers are all satisfied.
Wine routes on Crete
The Idaia wine factory is also open for visits in the summer. We are happy to give you more information. You can also drive wine routes on Central Crete. These are well marked routes with red signs. A lot of wineries are open the whole year around: you can taste and buy wines in the winery! Cretan wine is the recent years of better quality. Each year Greek wines win international prizes, also Idaia has won several prices. We have also a summary of all the wine routes on Crete.
Idaia wine information: if you like to have more information about Idaia wine from Crete, have a look at our page about Cretan wine!
The name of the company Idaia used to be the ancient name for Crete. Idaia was a Cretan nymph and mother of ten boys, the Curetes. Her husband Dias, the King of Crete, named the whole island «Idaia» to honour his wife. The company’s trade mark, the daisy with the eight leaves, is one of the symbols on the ancient Disc of Faistos. The ancient Cretans used to believe that it symbolizes Sirius, the star.
The area of Venerato
Idaia Winery is located at Venerato. A village in the heart of the vineyard district Malevizi and 18 kilometres south from the capital Heraklion on Crete. This area has been famous already centuries for its wine production. Proof of this are the old Archaic and Roman wine presses that can still be found there. Looking back in the history books, you can find that for example the Minoans cultivated their land and tasted what it so generously offered. Hundreds of tablets discovered by archaeologists show a flourishing economy with agricultural goods.
The main products Cretans successfully cultivated and traded were olive oil, cereals and wine. And a few centuries later, when Crete became a province of the Roman Empire, the Romans realized that Crete was the perfect place for the wine production. They turned many plains and hills into vineyards. Cretan winemakers were improving their wine-making skills. And they produced excellent sweet wines, which through Rome conquered the entire known world at the time. Many Greek and Latin writers spoke very highly of Cretan wine, which was also considered to have medicinal properties.
Wine region of Dafnes
The location of Idaia Winery is at 305 meters above sea level and within the wine region of Dafnes. The whole area with its hills and valleys is a perfect place for the grapes to ripen in combination with the lime soil, the warm climate and sea breeze of Crete. The sweet wine coming from this area during the Venetian and Ottoman time used to be called «Malvazia». Nowadays the wines produced in the area are not only the sweet ones anymore. The company is producing both red and white wine. For the red wine mainly the Kotsifali, Mandilari and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are used and for the white wine, the Vilana and Thrapsathiri grapes.
Besides the many vineyard and olive groves in the area, you can also visit old monasteries. For example the historical monastery of Panagia Paliani, that has in the centre an old temple with great archaeoligical value. All in all the whole area is a perfect place to explore the beautiful nature, historical sights and go for some wine tasting.
Cooking vacation and wine tasting: Learn how to cook Greek food in Crete. During this course you will learn many different aspects of the Cretan and Greek cuisine. We will organize everything for you during your week of cooking classes in Crete: transportation, accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, venues, taverns, utensils, recipes, cooking classes etc.
Holiday information
Refreshment thanks to the Meltemi wind
Yes, July is wonderfully warm, but you’re always in for a treat on Zorbas Island. Thanks to our location on the north coast of Crete, you’ll regularly enjoy the ‘Meltemi’—a lovely, refreshing breeze from the north. This wind ensures that both your active holiday days and your lazy afternoons on the beach remain incredibly comfortable.
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For early risers and dreamers
Whilst the rest of the island is still fast asleep, the most beautiful moment of the day begins for the early risers at Zorbas Island. The sunrise in July is pure, powerful and breathtakingly beautiful. The contrast between the dark water, the silhouette of Dia and the soft pastel colours in the sky instantly gives you that perfect holiday energy.
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Straight from the airport to the beach
Zorbas Island is very conveniently located near Heraklion Airport. As soon as you land in Crete, you’ll be at your accommodation in Kokkini Hani in no time. With our flight and accommodation packages, you’ll step straight off the plane and onto your sun lounger in no time. Ideal!
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Don’t wait too long… the excitement starts now!
Now that flights for 2027 are officially available online, this is the perfect time to book. Request a free quote from Zorbas Island. We’ll find you the best flight and accommodation packages, so you’re guaranteed a fantastic holiday in Crete at a surprisingly low price.
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Cold-pressed at 28°C for the perfect flavour
When making our olive oil, we leave nothing to chance. The olives are rigorously selected and cold-pressed with the utmost care at exactly 28°C. Why? Because this ensures that all the healthy nutrients, antioxidants and those delicious, characteristic aromas are preserved to the full. A high-quality oil made with love.
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Zorbas Island 2026 Crete Greece Newsletter: your holiday in Crete in 2026 – The new Zorbas Island programme: dear holidaymaker, we are delighted to present the first details of our brand new programme for 2026! At Zorbas Island, everything revolves around an unforgettable holiday on beautiful Crete.
Holiday Crete 2026 agenda – Agenda Zorbas Island, Crete – Season 2026: our new agenda is ready with the excursions for 2026, including many new excursions. You are probably curious about the activities we will be organising at Zorbas in the coming year, and this agenda provides an overview of all the activities that will interest you.
Holiday information Crete Zorbas Island: Apartment rentals and accommodation on Crete for most of the year. The right place for family apartments and holiday homes, all your excursions and cheap flights to Crete. A comprehensive overview of the latest holiday news from Crete, including lots of photos. Crete is the southernmost holiday island in Europe.
To give you an impression about your holiday at Zorbas Island on Crete, we created a short “Zorbas Island” Movie for you: If you got 5 minutes for holidays to Crete.
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Idaia wine from Crete
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