Heraklion: Half Day Small Group Olive Oil & Wine Tour

Discover the rich culinary heritage of Crete on this intimate half-day adventure. Explore the island’s renowned olive oil and wine production, visiting traditional and modern mills, walking through scenic olive groves, and savoring exceptional local vintages. With a small group of just four participants, this tour offers a personalized experience that delves into the region’s age-old traditions and sustainable practices. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or simply curious about Cretan terroir, this tour promises to leave you with a newfound appreciation for the flavors that define this captivating Mediterranean island.

Key Points

• Half-day tour exploring local olive oil and wine production, with visits to a winery and olive oil mills.
• Small group size (up to 4 participants) for personalized experience, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
• Includes an olive walk, winery tour, wine tasting of 5 indigenous varieties, and olive oil tasting to understand production and flavors.
• Opportunity to learn about the entire olive oil production process, from harvesting to bottling, at both modern and traditional mills.
• Exploration of scenic olive groves to appreciate the agricultural heritage and hard work behind olive oil production.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

This tour offers a half-day exploration of Heraklion’s local olive oil and wine.

It lasts 4.5 hours and costs from $139.92 per person. The small group is limited to 4 participants, ensuring a personalized experience.

Guests can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The tour includes visits to a local winery, where they’ll learn about wine production and taste 5 different varieties.

They’ll also discover the quality and production of extra virgin olive oil and participate in an olive oil tasting.

Experience Highlights

Visitors explore the winemaking process at a local winery, where they sample five distinct indigenous wine varieties.

The tour also explores the quality and production of extra virgin olive oil, with participants engaging in an olive oil tasting.

This immersive experience showcases the region’s rich culinary heritage, allowing guests to discover the care and craftsmanship behind these beloved Mediterranean products.

Whether it’s learning about the nuances of winemaking or uncovering the secrets of olive oil, the tour offers a well-rounded introduction to Crete’s celebrated food and drink.

Itinerary Details

The tour begins with an "olive walk" near the renowned Knossos Palace, providing participants an opportunity to explore the local olive groves firsthand.

Next, the group visits a family-run winery where they’ll enjoy a tour of the facilities and a tasting of 5 indigenous wine varieties.

Gourmet olive oil dishes, cherry tomatoes, and breadsticks are served during the wine tasting.

The tour then moves on to explore both modern and traditional olive oil mills, offering insights into the quality and production of extra virgin olive oil.

Throughout the experience, participants can engage in an olive oil tasting, further enhancing their understanding of this local delicacy.

Olive Mill Tour

After exploring the local olive groves, the tour moves on to visit both modern and traditional olive oil mills.

Participants get an inside look at the entire olive oil production process, from the harvesting to the milling and bottling. They’ll learn about the different methods used, such as cold pressing and centrifugal extraction, and how these impact the flavor and quality of the final product.

The tour provides an opportunity to appreciate the skill and craftsmanship involved in creating high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Guests can also sample various olive oils, allowing them to discern the subtle nuances in taste, aroma, and texture that distinguish exceptional olive oils from average ones.

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Olive Groves Tour

From the olive mills, the tour proceeds on to the local olive groves.

Guests will explore the scenic groves and learn about the cultivation and harvesting of olives. The guide will explain the importance of olive trees in the Cretan landscape and how they’ve been integral to the local culture and economy for centuries.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the olive trees up close and gain an appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to produce the high-quality extra virgin olive oil they’ll sample later.

This segment of the tour provides a glimpse into the agricultural heritage of Crete.

Olive Oil Tasting

Guests now have the chance to participate in an olive oil tasting, learning to distinguish the complex flavors and aromas of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

The guide will lead them through a structured tasting, sharing insights into the production process and the factors that contribute to an oil’s taste profile. Attendees will sample several varieties, noting the nuances in bitterness, pungency, and fruitiness.

This hands-on experience allows participants to develop a deeper appreciation for the care and craftsmanship involved in creating exceptional olive oil.

The tasting is accompanied by small gourmet dishes, cherry tomatoes, and breadsticks, providing a delightful pairing to complement the flavorful oils.

Winery Tour and Cellar Tour

Next, the tour takes guests to a family-run winery. Here, visitors explore the intricacies of wine production. They’ll explore the winery’s cellar, learning about the aging process and the unique characteristics of the region’s indigenous grape varieties. The tour culminates in a tasting of five distinct wine labels, allowing participants to savor the flavors and appreciate the nuances of each.

Wine Tasting
Wine Variety	Assyrtiko	Vidiano	Kotsifali	Mandilari	Liatiko
Tasting Notes

Booking Information

Checking availability for the desired starting times is recommended when booking this tour. Guests can reserve their spot now and pay later, providing flexibility in planning.

The half-day tour is limited to small groups of no more than 4 participants, ensuring a personalized experience. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, allowing for changes in plans.

With inclusions like an olive mill tour, olive groves tour, olive oil tasting, winery tour, cellar tour, and wine tasting, this tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Crete’s local olive oil and wine production.

Booking this tour allows visitors to enjoy the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

No, the tour includes all food and drinks. Participants can’t bring their own food or drinks on the tour. The tour provides a tasting of olive oil, wines, and gourmet olive oil dishes as part of the experience.

Is There a Vegetarian/Vegan Option for the Food?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention a vegetarian or vegan option, but the small gourmet olive oil dishes, cherry tomatoes, and breadsticks could potentially accommodate those dietary requirements. Guests should contact the tour operator to inquire about vegetarian/vegan options.

How Much Time Is Spent at Each Location?

The tour spends approximately 1 hour at the olive mill, 1.5 hours at the winery, and 1 hour exploring the olive groves. The remaining time is for transportation and transitions between locations.

Can I Request a Private Tour Instead of a Small Group?

Yes, you can request a private tour instead of a small group tour. The tour operator typically offers private tours for an additional fee, allowing you to customize the experience to your preferences.

What Is the Tour Guide’s Level of English Proficiency?

The tour guide’s English proficiency is highly proficient. They fluently communicate with participants, providing detailed explanations and insights throughout the experience. Travelers can expect a seamless, engaging tour conducted in clear, easy-to-understand English.

Recap

This Heraklion tour offers a unique opportunity to take in Crete’s rich culinary heritage. Guests will discover the artisanal processes behind local olive oil and wine production, savoring each flavor and gaining a deeper appreciation for the region’s traditions. With its intimate group size and expert guidance, this half-day adventure provides an authentic and memorable experience for any food and wine enthusiast.

You can check availability for your dates here: