Crete is considered a blessed place, with a huge tradition in grape cultivation since the Minoan era, the first European civilisation of 4000 years ago. The dozens of carved presses that can be found in various parts of the island are testimony to its long history of wine production. Today, Crete is considered one of the world’s top destinations, due to the ultimate combination of tradition, natural beauty and gastronomy.
Crete had two main features, which were the burning desire of both its people and its many conquerors in the past. Firstly, the geographical location was ideal and, being at the crossroads of north, south, east and west, resulted in a thriving trade in local products throughout the Mediterranean. Secondly, it was an ideal place for vine cultivation, not olny for its soil and temperate climate but mainly for the island’s morphology.
The crests of the mountain ranges that extend along Crete create a natural barrier that protects the vineyards from the hot southerly winds, allowing the north winds to act as a natural cooler.
The Domaine Paterianakis is located in the village of Melesses, southern of the town of Heraklion and precisely in the centre of Crete. It is a semi-mountainous region filled with vineyards, olive groves and flower gardens, within the winegrowing zone of Peza, an area certificated as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
At a short distance from the Domaine Paterianakis, less than an hour’s drive away, are some of the most important sights of Crete, including the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, the Palace of Phaistos and the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum, as well as the CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos aquarium. The picturesque towns of Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos are 2 hours, 1 hour and 20 minutes and 1 hour away respectively.
