The vineyards of Archanes

Iraklio vineyard

The vineyards of Archanes are located at short distances between the vineyards of Peza and Dafnes, approximately in the center of Crete, just south of the city of Heraklion. They host the local red variety of Kotsifali, with a high alcoholic content and an exceptionally aromatic character, and the Aegean variety of Mandilaria, which is rich in color and tannins. The vineyards of Archanes grow in limey-clayey, quite compact soil, on slopes of mainly eastern exposure, and at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 1,300 feet. The cultivation methods are mainly traditional but linear formations, of sparser planting densities, are also present.