ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Lyrarakis
The Lyrarakis Estate was founded in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis. It is surrounded by the Lassithi mountains and focuses on rare local varieties and single variety wines. The Lyrarakis family is credited with the revival of two ancient white Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third “vineyard treasure”, the indigenous Melissaki, was recently added to their credit. Vilana, White Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc complete the range of white varieties, and Kotsifali, Mandilari, Black Muscat as well as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the red ones.
The winery is situated in one of the most noteworthy vineyard regions of Crete, namely at Alagni, Heraklion, the most mountainous village of the appellation area (AOC) of PEZA. The company only started bottling wines under the Lyrarakis name in the early nineties, and 1992 was the first vintage.
Today, the company is managed by the second generation: Bart (CEO), George (Chairman) and Manolis (viticulturalist). The estate vineyards spread over 14 hectares, at an average altitude of 550 meters. The soil is composed of gravel and limestone.
Farming/sustainability practices: in conversion to organic farming – certain vineyards are already certified. Member of the People4soil initiative – European Citizens Initiative (ECI) – aiming at lobbying for the creation of a specific European legislation that will recognize soil as a common good and will establish regulations for its protection. An organic community garden produces part of the vegetables used for the meals served during the meetings of various groups (employees, members of St August winegrowers group and others).
In the words of Bart Lyrarakis:
- “Since 15 years we have focused on higher altitude vineyards, and we keep sharpening that focus every year.
- We are focusing on native grapes. The varieties of Crete, obviously have built up “wisdom” on how to react to the various situations they are exposed to – like Plyto, a grape that is super drought resistant.
- Old vines : My very own 200+ year old Aggelis vineyard, and all the other old vineyards we work with in those remote places, definitely have some historical information stored in their veins. As an example about the east of Crete, where the Aggelis vineyard is : it thrives, even in years where we have 300mm of rain in total.
- In the new vineyards, but also in some older ones, we experiment a lot with the trellising. From increasing photosynthesis, to providing shadow, to increasing aeration possibilities. All the new plantings in the Psarades vineyard are “Lyra” trellised.
- Regarding viticulture, we like to experiment!
- Our own vineyards are all organic, and we try to convert all the farmers that work with us. Some of us also apply biodynamic practices, but none are certified.
- We are going to be certified regenerative by the Greek certification body. The main things to be considered here are :
– we don’t plow,
– if we feel it is necessary, we will sow a vineyard to secure green cover, but generally we have no problem with that (we have done it for some years and there are enough seeds and life in the ground for that),
– we have planted trees at the borders and are working on improving the biodiversity on many levels, including animals. - We educate our farmers to do the same.
- We are also improving our practices at the winery : lowering our energy consumption, being mindful of the materials we use, etc…”
