Lyrarakis Wines

What Lyrarakis Wines does

Lyrarakis Wines is a family-owned winery headquartered in Heraklion, Crete, Greece, established in 1966 by brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis and now operated by a second generation of winemakers. The company produces wines from indigenous Cretan grape varieties and is notable for reviving three ancient varieties from extinction: Dafni and Plyto (first planted in the Psarades family vineyard in 1992) and Melissaki (planted in the Gero Deti vineyard in 2010). Its portfolio spans more than 11 indigenous varieties and is organized into four product tiers — Lyrarakis Estate Wines (White, Red, Rosé, Liastos sweet, Symbolo premium red), Selected Areas single-vineyard bottlings, Queens single-variety premium wines, and a numbered Micro Batch experimental series — supplemented by tsikoudia spirits from rare varieties and Verjuice (Agourida) culinary product.

Name

Lyrarakis Wines

Legal name

Lyrarakis Wines

Website

https://lyrarakis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lyrarakis Wines is a family-owned Cretan winery, established in 1966, that produces and sells estate wines, single-vineyard bottlings, and spirits from rare indigenous grape varieties, serving wine tourists and consumers through direct-to-consumer and wine tourism channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Estate Winery & Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)

Keywords

• Estate wines
• Indigenous grape varieties
• Single-variety wines
• Organic viticulture
• Wine tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Heraklion

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wine Sales: Direct sales of estate wines including Lyrarakis (white, red, rose), Liastos (sweet), Symbolo (premium red), Queens series (single-variety), Selected Areas, and Micro Batch wines. Also includes spirits like Tsikoudia Plyto Psarades and Liatiko Aggelis, and Verjuice culinary product.
2. Wine Tourism Experiences: Revenue from wine tasting packages, vineyard picnic experiences, and olive oil tasting sessions. Experiences booked online with guided vineyard, cellar, and vine museum tours included.
3. Verjuice and Culinary Products: Verjuice (Agourida) - juice from unripe grapes used as culinary acidulant, sold as a food product.
4. Tsikoudia Spirits: Wine spirits from rare indigenous grape varieties (Plyto and Liatiko) saved from extinction, expressing the 'heart and soul' of the grapes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Lyrarakis Wines is a family winery producing single-variety and blended wines from rare indigenous Cretan grape varieties, including estate wines, single-area bottlings, premium Queens series, and Micro Batch experimental wines. The company also produces Tsikoudia wine spirits (Plyto Psarades and Liatiko Aggelis) and Verjuice (Agourida) culinary product, and operates bookable on-site wine tourism experiences (wine tastings, vineyard picnics, olive oil tastings) at its Crete estate.

Product overview

Lyrarakis Wines is a family winery established in Crete in 1966, specializing in single-variety wines from rare indigenous grapes. The company operates a multi-tiered product portfolio comprising: (1) Estate Wines (core Lyrarakis branded White, Red, Rosé, Liastos sweet wine, and Symbolo premium red); (2) Selected Areas single-vineyard wines showcasing specific Cretan terroir expressions (Assyrtiko Voila, Dafni Psarades, Kotsifali Karnari, Liatiko Aggelis, Liatiko Kedros, Mandilari Plakoura, Melissaki Gerodeti, Plytó Psarades, Thrapsathiri Armi, Vidiano Ippodromos, Vilana Pirovolikes); (3) Queens single-variety premium wines (Vidiano, Vilana, Muscat of Spina, Rosé Kotsifali, Kotsifali, Liatiko, Mandilari); (4) Micro Batch limited production wines (001-009 series) from unique heritage vineyards; (5) Other Products including Plyto and Liatiko tsikoudia (wine spirits) and Verjuice; (6) Experiential offerings including Wine Tasting, Vineyard Picnic Experience, and Olive Oil Tasting at the winery. The company is notable for reviving three ancient Cretan varieties (Dafni, Plyto, Melissaki) from extinction and transitioned to organic viticulture in 2020.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Queens: Premium single-variety wines from Cretan grape varieties including Vidiano, Vilana, Muscat of Spina, Rosé Kotsifali, Kotsifali, Liatiko, and Mandilari.
• Selected Areas
• Micro Batch
• Estate Wines

Products and services

• Lyrarakis White Dry Wine Aromatic dry white wine blending indigenous and international grape varieties (Muscat of Spina, Vidiano) acclimatized in Crete, featuring an exciting crispy mouthfeel. Part of the core Lyrarakis Estate Wines portfolio.
• Lyrarakis Red Dry Wine Dark red, concentrated dry wine with long ageing potential crafted from indigenous and international grape varieties acclimatized in Crete. Part of the core Lyrarakis Estate Wines portfolio.
• Lyrarakis Rosé Dry Wine Explosively aromatic rosé wine, fruity and balanced, made from Merlot and Liatiko grapes. Part of the core Lyrarakis Estate Wines portfolio.
• Liastos Sweet Wine Sweet wine blend of local grapes (Plyto, Dafni, Assyrtiko, Thrapsathiri, Vilana) which sun-dry in shadow, producing concentrated juice with caramelized apricot aromas and bitter orange marmalade mouthfeel.
• Symbolo Red Premium red dry wine Protected Geographical Indication Crete, produced only in finest years from Syrah, Mandilari, Kotsifali and Vidiano grapes, aged 20 months in new oak barrels with 10-15 year bottle ageing potential.
• Assyrtiko Voila 100% Assyrtiko white dry wine from the Voila plain in East Crete, showcasing exceptional vineyard potential for this great Greek grape variety.
• Dafni Psarades 100% Dafni white dry wine from Psarades vineyard. This ancient Cretan variety was saved from extinction by the Lyrarakis family, featuring distinctive herbal character with laurel and citrus notes.
• Kotsifali Karnari Red dry wine adapting western Crete's Marouvas tradition to a gentler style, showcasing warmth, sweet fruit and spice notes from two-year barrel ageing.
• Liatiko Aggelis Red dry wine from own-rooted Liatiko vines planted over a century ago in Aggelis vineyard, producing exceptionally high-density grapes vinified with respect for natural microflora.
• Liatiko Kedros Rosé dry wine from pre-phylloxera Liatiko vines at 800m altitude on Mt. Kedros, featuring pale rose colour and steely palate reflecting its high-altitude terroir.
• Mandilari Plakoura 100% Mandilari red dry wine from premier cru slope at 500m altitude with head-trained pruning, producing concentrated wine with deep red color, excellent structure and long aging potential.
• Melissaki Gerodeti 100% Melissaki white dry wine. This little-known variety was discovered at the foothills of Mt. Psiloritis and saved from extinction in 2010, featuring intense herbal aromas and elegant crisp texture.
• Plytó Psarades Organic White Wine 100% Plytó white dry organic wine. This rare Cretan variety was saved from extinction in the early 1990s, producing an elegant fruity and mineral wine with chalky notes.
• Thrapsathiri Armi 100% Thrapsathiri white dry wine from Armi (mountainside) where cooling sea-borne northern winds create unique microclimate for full aromatic expression.
• Vidiano Ippodromos 100% Vidiano organic white dry wine from vineyard at 610m altitude on rocky clay soil, producing creamy and round wine with intense stone fruit aromas and spicy notes.
• Vilana Pirovolikes 100% Vilana white dry wine from 30-year-old bush vine vineyard at 650m altitude on rocky southeast-facing slope, delivering high concentration and aromatic complexity.
• Vidiano Queen Single-variety Vidiano white dry wine from vineyards at 550m altitude in Heraklion, showcasing stone and citrus fruit with herbal aromas, full velvety mouthfeel and mineral notes.
• Vilana Queen Single-variety Vilana white dry wine from vineyards at 600m altitude, featuring citrus and white fleshed fruit aromas with herbal notes, soft creamy body and vibrant acidity.
• Muscat of Spina Queen Single-variety Muscat of Spina wine with floral nose of rose petals, fleshy citrus fruit aromas, herbal hints, vibrant acidity and intense mouthfeel from 500m altitude vineyards.
• Rosé Kotsifali Queen Rosé wine from Kotsifali grapes at 650m altitude, with cherry fruits and plums on the nose, juicy fruit palate, vibrant acidity and flavourful aftertaste.
• Kotsifali Queen Single-variety Kotsifali red dry wine from 500m altitude vineyards, featuring elegant mouthfeel of spices, red fruits and piquant aftertaste.
• Liatiko Queen Single-variety Liatiko red dry wine from 650m altitude vineyards, with aromas of dark cherry and wild berries, intense balanced palate with fine tannins and juicy finish.
• Mandilari Queen Single-variety Mandilari from selected mountain vineyards, whole-bunch fermented, unfiltered and barrel-aged 5 months, with expressive aromas and elegant sleek character.
• 001 Liatiko Mavro Spilio Micro Batch Dry red wine from centuries-old Liatiko vines in Eastern Crete propagated using modern viticultural technology to preserve biodiversity.
• 002 Dermatas Vidiano Efendis Micro Batch Unique logado blend of Dermatas and Vidiano from centuries-old vines in Rethymnon, showcasing the dynamic of the rare Dermatas variety saved from extinction.
• 003 Vilana Tholi Micro Batch Single-variety Vilana from top of Peza viticultural zone at Tholi, offering ideal combination of sun exposure, temperature and soil for this characteristic Cretan grape.
• 004 Liatiko Mavro Spilio Micro Batch (Organic) Organic dry red wine from vines in Mavro Spilio location in Heraklion, propagated from centuries-old Liatiko vines to preserve Eastern Crete's biodiversity.
• 005 Thrapsathiri Rouma Micro Batch Dry white wine from 30-year-old organic vines at 450m beside oak forest in ancient village of Rouma, matured in 600L second-use foudres highlighting fruity character.
• 006 Vidiano Koules Micro Batch Bold Vidiano from vineyard beneath castle ruins, gaining acidity and depth from the unique terroir at this historic crossroads location.
• 007 Vidiano Anemomilia Micro Batch Heritage expression of Vidiano at Anemomilia site where the variety meets cooling breeze, offering distinct mineral and herbal character.
• 008 Vidiano Anemomilia Micro Batch Distinct Vidiano expression from Anemomilia site in Eastern Crete, where the grape variety meets cooling breeze for mineral and herbal character.
• 009 Tachtas Micro Batch Unfiltered wine from own-rooted Tachtas vines planted in 1944 at 700m, macerated on skins, spontaneously fermented and matured 3 months in foudre.
• Plyto Psarades Tsikoudia Spirit 100% Plytó wine spirit. The rare Cretan Plytó grape was saved from extinction by the Lyrarakis family and this spirit expresses the heart and soul of the variety.
• Liatiko Aggelis Tsikoudia Spirit 100% Liatiko wine spirit from own-rooted Aggelis vineyard planted over 100 years ago in Eastern Crete, expressing the greatness of this historic variety.
• Verjuice (Agourida) Culinary Product Juice from unripe grapes (Agourida), a traditional culinary ingredient used as gentle acidulant for food, desserts and cocktails, representing pure Cretan dietary habits.
• Wine Tasting Experience Customizable guided wine tasting package held daily 11:30-19:00 (last tasting at 17:30), starting from €22 per person. Includes guided tour of vineyards, cellar and vine museum.
• Vineyard Picnic Experience Picnic in the heart of the vineyard under olive trees with guided tasting of 4 Lyrarakis wines accompanied by Cretan cheese and traditional delicacies, starting from €70.
• Olive Oil Tasting Extra virgin olive oil tasting in certified biodegradable cups with insight into local olive varieties, cultivation practices and the role of olive oil in Cretan tradition, starting from €13 per person. Includes guided vineyard/olive grove/cellar tour, breadsticks, barley rusks, green apple and olives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 ancient Cretan grape varieties revived from extinction
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gaia Wines: One of Greece's most recognized modern wineries with strong focus on indigenous varieties (Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko) and broad export presence. Comparable to Lyrarakis in indigenous variety focus but operates at significantly larger scale with broader distribution.
• Boutari Winery: One of Greece's largest and oldest wineries with nationwide production across multiple regions and broad distribution. Comparable to Lyrarakis as a Greek heritage producer but with much larger scale and mainstream retail presence.

Direct peers

• Ktima Biblia Chora: Greek boutique winery producing wines from indigenous and international varieties with strong export presence and critical recognition. Comparable to Lyrarakis in scale, indigenous variety emphasis, and award-winning portfolio.
• Santo Wines: Santorini cooperative winery with strong wine tourism footprint and focus on Assyrtiko and indigenous Cycladic varieties. Comparable to Lyrarakis in combining indigenous grape production with significant tourism/visitor business.
• Domaine Sigalas: Santorini-based Greek winery specializing in indigenous varieties (notably Assyrtiko) with a strong single-vineyard and old-vine portfolio. Highly comparable to Lyrarakis in heritage variety focus and premium, terroir-driven positioning.
• Estate Argyros: Multi-generational Santorini winery with single-vineyard Assyrtiko and indigenous variety focus, plus extensive international awards. Comparable to Lyrarakis in family heritage, single-vineyard philosophy, and international critical recognition.
• Hatzidakis Winery: Family-run Santorini winery focused on reviving indigenous Greek grape varieties using organic and biodynamic practices. Closely comparable to Lyrarakis in family ownership, indigenous grape revival mission, and organic winemaking philosophy.

Regional players

• Dourakis Winery: Crete-based family winery producing wines from local Cretan grape varieties with on-site wine tourism. Comparable to Lyrarakis in Crete focus, family ownership, and DTC/wine tourism business model.
• Manousakis Winery: Family-owned winery based in Crete producing wines from indigenous Cretan varieties with on-site tasting experiences. Directly comparable to Lyrarakis as a Cretan family winery focused on local indigenous grapes and tourism.
• Karavitakis Winery: Crete-based boutique winery focused on indigenous Cretan varieties including Romeiko and Vidiano. Comparable to Lyrarakis as a Cretan producer with indigenous variety focus and small-scale premium production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lyrarakis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lyrarakis Wines