Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
had a religious function. Just beyond here are the palace's most important rooms,
including the Pillar Crypt behind a stone-paved vestibule, the Grand Staircase and
the elevated Loggia , most likely used for ceremonial purposes. Still further were
the royal apartments , while buildings north of the central court held workshops
and storage rooms .
Buses leave from Iraklio's Bus Station A several times hourly for Malia with a
stop at the palace (€3.80, one hour).
Iraklio Wine Country
About 70% of wine produced in Crete comes from the Iraklio Wine Country, which starts
just south of Knossos and is headquartered in Peza. Almost two dozen wineries are em-
bedded in a harmonious landscape of shapely hills, sunbaked slopes and lush valleys.
Winemakers cultivate many indigenous Cretan grape varietals, such as Kotsifali,
Mandilari and Malvasia; many estates now offer tours, wine museums and wine tastings.
Here are three of our faves, but do check www.winesofcrete.gr for more options and look
for the burgundy-red road signs directing you to local wineries.
Sights
Boutari WINERY
( 2810 731617; www.boutari.gr ; Skalani; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri year-round, on weekends by ap-
pointment) In Skalani, just south of Knossos, Boutari is a sleek, modern operation that of-
fers tours as well as sampling sessions in a vast tasting room that overlooks the vine-
yards.
Lyrarakis WINERY
( 2810 284501; www.lyrarakis.gr ; Alagni; 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 1-6pm Sat Apr-Oct) In Alagni,
about 25km south of Iraklio, this award-winning winery is famous for resuscitating two
nearly extinct white Cretan grape varieties called Dafni and Plyto.
Minos-Miliarikis WINERY
( 2810 741213; www.minoswines.gr ; Peza; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat) Right on the
Peza main street, massive Minos was the first winery to bottle its product in Crete in
1952. Worth trying: a full-bodied single-vineyard organic red and a fragrant Blanc de
Noirs.
 
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