Dionysos Tour – Exclusive Crete Wine Tour

The Dionysos Tour is our shore excursion for connoisseurs. It leads into the wine region around Archanes south of Heraklion – one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Europe. Between an aqueduct, a green oasis and the sacred Mount Juktas, the day ends exactly where it belongs: at a winery, over selected wines and Cretan food.

Through the Region of Knossos

We set off towards Knossos, the famous palace of the Minoans, and continue into the area of Agia Irini near Spilia. There stands the largest aqueduct bridge on Crete – built during the Egyptian occupation to solve Heraklion’s water shortage. A structure most coaches simply drive past. If you would like to visit the Palace of Knossos itself, please tell us in advance and we will gladly advise which of our tours combines best with it.

Mount Juktas and Its Griffon Vultures

Via a green oasis we head towards Silamos and up Mount Juktas. From the top the whole Archanes wine region lies at your feet, with Heraklion and the sea behind it. Juktas is a Natura 2000 bird protection area: a colony of griffon vultures lives here and can be watched well with a little patience. Seen from a distance the ridge looks like a reclining head – for Cretans, the face of Zeus. Rare protected plants grow up here too, and your guide will show you what to look out for.

Winery, Harvest and Tasting

At the winery you learn how wine is made on Crete – from the harvest through maturing to the bottle. The island has its own grape varieties that are hard to find elsewhere: Vidiano and Vilana among the whites, Kotsifali and Mandilari among the reds. Afterwards you taste a selection of the wines at your leisure. Anyone who prefers not to take part in the tasting is of course served water, juice or coffee – and need not think about the drive back in any case, because you are being driven.

Cretan Food to Round Off the Day

To finish there is a generous meal with regional dishes and traditional meze, matching wines and a raki for dessert. Then we take you back to the ship, relaxed.

Tour Highlights

• The Archanes wine region, one of Europe’s oldest wine-growing areas
• The largest aqueduct bridge on Crete, away from the coach routes
• Mount Juktas with its Natura 2000 griffon vulture colony
• Tasting of native Cretan grapes: Vidiano, Vilana, Kotsifali, Mandilari
• Generous meal with regional dishes, meze and matching wines

At a Glance

• Duration: approx. 6 to 7 hours
• Available: daily
• Type: private tour
• Guide: English-speaking
• Start: pick-up directly at the Heraklion cruise terminal

Good to Know

• Pick-up at the Heraklion cruise terminal once your ship is cleared; we agree the exact time with you in advance.
• We plan around your ship’s actual port time and bring you back in good time.
• Bring sturdy shoes, sun protection and a hat in summer, plus a jacket in the cooler months.
• There is little walking involved – the tours work well with small children or limited mobility. A walking aid or rollator is no problem, just tell us when booking.
• Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly meals are available on request.
• Non-drinkers are served water, juice or coffee at the winery – you are driven throughout.

Booking the Dionysos Tour

Tell us which ship you are on and how long you are in port, and we will fit the Dionysos Tour around your day ashore. You are under no obligation until everything is confirmed.

This tour is one of our shore excursions in Crete.