Wineries & Estates

Fantaxometocho Estate Crete

Gallery? Museum of modern art? Gourmet restaurant?
Winery!

The new, Boutari Winery in Crete was completed in early 2004 and is one of the best-equipped, state of the art wineries in Europe. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the cellar, the production area, and the rest of the estate and they can enjoy the impressive multimedia show which has gained major awards at international competitions.

Location
The Boutari Winery in Crete is built outside Skalani village, on the Fantaxometocho Estate. It is located a few kilometers outside the centre of Heraklion city, close to the archaeological site of Knossos, and is the jewel of the viticultural VQPRD zone of Archanes. The planting of the southernmost privately-owned Boutari vineyards began in 1990.

References in bibliographies confirm the close relations of the region with viticulture and the production of wine in antiquity. It is worth noting that the discovery of the first grape press in the Vathypetro area, dates back to 1600 B.C.

Identity
The main objective of the Boutari company was to set the foundations for the further promotion of Cretan wine worldwide, through the production of high quality wines. In a region that was famous for its ecosystem and its tradition in viticulture, the company managed to enhance the potential of local varieties and made Cretan vineyards known to the broader public, through major distinctions.

At an altitude ranging between 170 and 215 metres, on a 7-hectare plot, the privately-owned Boutari vineyard is cultivated based on the principles of organic farming, hosting various Greek and –international varieties. The density of the planting is 3300 plants/hectare.

Thanks to the particularly well-studied choice of location, on the northern side of the hill, the vineyard is protected from the "livas", the hot summer wind from the south, and benefits from the cool "meltemia" winds of the Cretan sea. The soil type is clay, limestone, with good drainage.

The vineyard includes the red varieties Kotsifali, Mantilari, Syrah and the white varieties Chardonnay, Malvasia Aromatica and Moschato Spinas, among others.

The Wines

Skalani	Fantaxometocho	Kretikos Boutari White	Kretikos Boutari Red
Iouliatiko

Tour
Visitors can enjoy a tour of the cellar, the production area, and the rest of the estate. Its impressive multimedia show has gained major awards at international competitions, and offers a unique journey back in time to the history of Crete. A visit to the wine-tasting hall is definitely worthwhile, to enjoy the wines of the Estate, including the experimental ones, accompanied by dishes of the renowned cuisine of Crete.

Boutari Winery in Skalani, Heraklion, Crete

Tel: +30 2810 731617, Fax: +30 2810 731755
E-mail: crete.winery@boutari.gr'>crete.winery@boutari.gr

Open to visitors: Daily 10:00 – 19:00

Hospitality Coordinator: Vivi Papaspirou