Tastes of Crete & Wine Tasting

Private day Culinary and Wine Tasting Programs (Chania or Heraklion)

(from 6 – 12 people)

The philosophy behind the cooking programs offered is to promote the healthy, flavorful and simple foods of Crete. Designed for people who love and appreciate fine food and wine.Our cooking programs are friendly and informal, including hands-on instruction and tastings. The locations selected for their wonderful character and stunning surroundings, provide the perfect backdrop to informative classes hosted by knowledgeable local cooks or homemakers. These cooking programs are designed to offer food lovers a captivating blend of great tastes, hands-on cooking, scenic locations, tradition, history and culture.

Tastes of Crete

May 1, 2008 – October 1, 2008

(To be combined with your hotel stay in Crete) Approximate Times: (9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

Chania or Heraklion Crete

An introduction to Cretan cuisine and a hands-on exploration of our culinary traditions from a local cook or homemaker set in a beautifully restored Cretan house. Discover step-by-step on how to make a satisfying, full Cretan meal from appetizers to dessert, in this fun adventure. Recipes vary according to the season, utilizing only the freshest ingredients available, all locally sourced, and providing you with a deeply individual Cretan experience and many laughs.

Rate per person (based on 6 people)

Wine Tasting

May 1, 2008 – October 1, 2008

(to be combined with your hotel stay in Crete) Approximate Times: (11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)

 

Heraklion Crete

Located near the village of Houdetsi, a community belonging to the municipality of Nikos Kazantzakis, in the prefecture of Heraklion Crete is where the Tamiolakis family domain is located. The domain covers an area of about 13 acres of organic-cultured vineyards and includes a small but most modern and fully equipped winery. It constitutes the basis of a strictly family enterprise, with the family members sharing common backgrounds, experiences, studies and interests in the field of wine production.

The construction of the winery was completed in 2003 and the first vinification took place in that year. For the time being, the production capacity of the domain is 50,000 bottles. This number is, however, going to double in the years to come.

The domain was established with the purpose of producing quality wines, highly representative and promotive of the tasting richness and the special character of the Cretan wines. It is with this perspective that the location of the vineyards was decided to be in an area where the ecosystem is ideal for growing superior quality grapes and the selection of the best varieties of such wine-grapes to plant was made. Consequently, in addition to the common varieties grown such as Kotsifali, Mandilaria and Vilana, some other rare local varieties i.e. Vidiano, Dafni, Plyto, Thrapsathiri and Moscato of Spina, were selected and planted. After experiemental vinifications, these latter precious varieties grown in Crete have given excellent quality wines.

So come join the Tamiolakis family for a sample of their great tasting wines along with light Cretan Mezedes. Are you in ?

Rate per person (based on 6 people)