Manousakis Winery Tour: A Must-Do for Wine Lovers in Crete
The Manousakis Winery Tour is a must-do for wine lovers visiting Crete. The winery is located in the Vatolakkos hills, about 20 minutes from Chania. The tour is led by knowledgeable and friendly staff who will teach you about the history of the winery, the winemaking process, and the different types of wine that are produced there.
The tour begins with a walk through the vineyards, where you will learn about the different grape varieties that are grown at the winery. You will also learn about the challenges of growing grapes in Crete, such as the hot and dry climate and the strong winds.
After the vineyard tour, you will be taken to the winery itself, where you will see the winemaking process in action. You will learn about the different stages of winemaking, from crushing the grapes to bottling the wine.
The tour concludes with a tasting of five different Manousakis wines along with breads and cheeses and some meats. You will have the opportunity to taste both white and red wines, and to learn about the different flavors and aromas that are characteristic of Cretan wines.
Overall, I highly recommend the Manousakis Winery Tour. It is a great way to learn about Cretan winemaking and to taste some of the best wines that Crete has to offer.
Pros:
Knowledgeable and friendly staff Informative tour of the vineyards and winery Tasting of five different Manousakis wines Beautiful setting! Lovely wines and fresh breads and cheeses to go with Lovely to hear about the wine making process!
Tips: There’s a nice little shop where you can buy wines and oils Two toilets at the shop Book your tour in advance, especially if you are visiting during peak tourist season. Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves some walking. There’s some fairly steep steps into the wine cellar Bring a hat and sunscreen, especially if you are visiting in the summer. Be prepared to spend a few hours at the winery. The tour itself lasts about an hour, but you may want to spend more time tasting the wine and enjoying the beautiful setting.
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Read moreI was recommended by a friend who's extended family knows Alexandra & the Manousaki's and it was an amazing experience, extremely beautiful location -- so picuresque and charming!! I was told to ask for Alexandra upon my visit and unfortunately she was not there-it would have been so great to meet here after learning about her and her family's gorgeous establishment! The only reason it's not a 5 out of 5 for me is because the woman working there named Matilda, I believe, was really rude to my friend and I when we asked for Alexandra and explained the connection. She made us feel unwelcomed because we did not call ahead of time to book a tour or make a reservation -- in America, this is not always the way wineries work and most of the time you can just show up for a tasting or a couple glasses of wine and some apps. Regardless, we asked to stay and have some wine. She directed us to the area where the group of people who had just completed a wine tour we're sitting and told us to have a seat there. (Only to complain that we sat at the table she was going to be using for the glasses or wine bottles or something). And once the tasting started, she completely ignored my friend and I and did not come to our table to give us wine or share the tasting menu options. We were extremely upset at the service at this point and almost left after making the effort to make this a part of our trip (being the wine lovers we are!). We decided to go inside and get a bottle of wine for ourselves to drink when the other woman working there, Marcella, was a ray of sunshine and more than eager to welcome my friend and I and share the tasting options with us -- she was so extremely sweet and helpful and even called the catering company that provides the lunch to see if they would come back and deliver 2 more plates for us so that we could have the lunch option with our tasting. So very kind of her and we were very appreciative!! She made up for the rocky start and we had such an amazing time and it really was a highlight of our trip!! Try and make it a "must-see" if you are...
Read moreI recently visited this winery and I must say, it was an absolutely fantastic experience! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable about their wines and were more than happy to answer any questions we had.
We tried 2 white wines, 2 red wines and one rosé and each one was better than the last. The flavors were rich and complex, and each wine had its own unique character. It was clear that a lot of care and attention had gone into the production of these wines.
But the wine wasn't the only highlight of our visit. The food was out of this world! We ordered a few small plates to share besides the wines. The ingredients were fresh and locally sourced, and the flavors were perfectly balanced.
What really stood out to me was the hospitality of the staff. They were so friendly and welcoming, and they gave us some great tips for restaurants in Chania. It was clear that they were passionate about their work and wanted to make sure that we had the best possible experience.
Overall, I would highly recommend this winery to anyone looking for a fantastic wine tasting experience. The wines were exceptional, the food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly welcoming. It was truly a memorable experience and I can't wait to...
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