Boutaris Wines
The Boutari Winery in Crete is built outside Skalani village, on the Fantaxometocho Estate. It is located a few kilometers outside the center of Heraklion city, close to the archaeological site of Knossos, and is the jewel of the viticultural PDO region of Archanes.
In Greek, “Fantaxometocho” means “the haunted domain”. The name that was given to the place “Fantaxometocho” was taken by the legend that was created in order to protect the domain from pirates. Today, it’s the place where Boutari, one of the largest Greek wine producers, has established its winery in Crete.
The Boutari Cretan winery & Fantaxometocho Estate play an important role in the company’s Research & Development endeavours. Since 1990 the R&D department has carried out organized research with successful results into the potential of Greek varieties of grape, as well as into the capacity of foreign varieties to adapt to the Greek climate and eventually to be blended with native ones. The grapes grown in the vineyard are used to produce the white dry wines Fantaxometocho & Kretikos, the red dry wines Skalani & Kretikos and the sweet wines Moschato Spinas and Iouliatiko.
FANTAXOMETOCHO ESTATE
In Greek, “Fantaxometocho” means “the haunted domain”.
The name that was given to the place “Fantaxometocho” was taken by the legend that was created in order to protect the domain from pirates. Today, it’s the place where Boutari, one of the largest Greek wine producers, has established its winery in Crete.
Fantaxometocho estate is surrounded by 7 hectares vineyards and situated within the Arhanes vine-growing region, a district producing «Appellation of Origin of High Quality» (A.O.C.) wines. It lies on the road towards the village of Myrtia, birthplace of the famous Greek writer Kazantzakis and it is very close to the archaeological place of Knossos.
The Boutari Cretan winery & Fantaxometocho Estate play an important role in the company’s Research & Development endeavours. Since 1990 the R&D department has carried out organised research with successful results into the potential of Greek varieties of grape, as well as into the capacity of foreign varieties to adapt to the Greek climate and eventually to be blended with native ones. The grapes grown in the vineyard are used to produce the white wine Fantaxometocho, Heraklion Regional Wine from Chardonnay, Vilana and Thrapsathiri and the red wine Skalani, Heraklion Regional Wine. from Kotsifali and Syrah.
Via guided tours at the vineyard and the winery, the visitor has the opportunity to experience for himself the special delights of wine: the art of wine-tasting, «vertical» wine-tasting, and finally to enjoy the wines alongside those dishes and flavours which traditionally complement them in our specially- constructed reception hall.
Boutari Winery on Crete offers to the visitor:
- A guided tour of the production facilities
- A tour of the underground wine cellars
- A multi-media show of the history of Crete
- An introduction to the art of wine-tasting
- The opportunity to enjoy wines in combination with traditional Cretan dishes
- The opportunity to purchase current and older vintages of Boutari wines
- The opportunity to purchase wine related books and accessories
- A reception room for 100 people
- The opportunity to combine the visit to the winery with trips to famous nearby archaeological sites.
The winery is open:
May – October: Monday – Friday 09.00 – 17.00
Weekend: Booking first
November – April: Booking first
