Crete has one of the oldest wine traditions in Europe — over 4,000 years of continuous production — and the hill country behind Chania is where much of it still happens. Two organic, family-run wineries sit within easy reach of the city, and a small-group countryside tour covers the wider picture: rural villages, a picnic, and tastings without needing to drive yourself between stops.
Quick Answer
Manousakis Winery (Vatolakkos, 15 min from Chania) and Dourakis Winery (Alikampos, 30 min) are the two best-known wineries near Chania — both organic, both offering tastings. If you'd rather not drive, the guided Armenoi countryside picnic & tastings tour (from €90pp) covers rural villages and local tastings with transport included.
The Wineries
Manousakis Winery
Founded in 1993 in the clay-rich hills around Vatolakkos, about 15 minutes from Chania. The winery is fully organic and produces around 12 different wine labels from estate-grown grapes. Tastings run at several fixed times throughout the day (typically midday through evening, varying by season) and can be paired with light Cretan food.
Dourakis Winery
A smaller, boutique winery in Alikampos village, about 30 minutes from Chania — an award-winning, sustainable operation founded in 1988, also fully organic. Dourakis tends to feel quieter and more personal than the larger operators, worth the slightly longer drive if you want a low-key tasting.
Both wineries work with Cretan grape varieties rather than imported ones — look out for Vidiano and Vilana (white) and Kotsifali and Liatiko (red) on the tasting list.
Book the Manousakis Winery Tour
A guided tour of Chania's best-known organic winery with a 5-wine tasting, plus traditional Cretan rusks and olive oil. Pickup from Chania included. From 3 hours.
The Guided Countryside Tour
If you don't want to drive between wineries and villages yourself, the Armenoi countryside picnic & tastings tour is the easiest way to see rural Crete in a half day. It's a small-group tour through villages near Armenoi, combining a countryside picnic with tastings of local wine, cheese, and olive oil — transport included throughout.
Book the Countryside Picnic & Tastings Tour
A small-group half-day out to rural villages near Armenoi, with a countryside picnic and tastings of local wine, cheese, and olive oil. From €90 per person.
Where to Find Them
Manousakis Winery is the closest and easiest to combine with a half-day out from Chania, in the village of Vatolakkos to the west of the city.
Self-Drive vs Guided
Self-drive gives you the flexibility to visit both wineries at your own pace, stop for photos in the villages en route, and stay as long as you like at each tasting. It requires a designated driver, since tastings obviously mean not everyone in the car can drink. See our car rental guide.
Guided removes the driving problem entirely and adds context — a local guide explaining the villages and wine history you'd otherwise miss. It covers a wider area (multiple villages plus tastings) in one trip rather than requiring you to plan your own winery-hopping route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there wineries near Chania?
Yes — Manousakis Winery in Vatolakkos (15 min from Chania) and Dourakis Winery in Alikampos (30 min). Both are organic and family-run, with Manousakis offering several tasting slots daily.
Do I need a car to visit Cretan wineries from Chania?
A car gives the most flexibility for visiting independently, but a guided countryside tour that includes transport, village stops, and tastings is the easier option if you'd rather not drive after tasting.
What is the Armenoi countryside picnic and tastings tour?
A small-group half-day tour through rural villages near Armenoi combining a countryside picnic with tastings of local wine, cheese, and olive oil. From around €90 per person, transport included.
What wine does Crete produce?
Crete's wine tradition goes back over 4,000 years. Local grape varieties include Vidiano and Vilana (white) and Kotsifali and Liatiko (red) — both Manousakis and Dourakis produce organic wines from estate-grown Cretan grapes.
Is a wine tour near Chania worth it?
Yes for wine enthusiasts or anyone wanting a slower, rural counterpoint to beach days. It's a lower-key half-day activity that pairs well with a relaxed morning or afternoon rather than a full day out.
Ready to Plan Your Wine Day?
Book the guided countryside tour, or compare car rental if you'd rather visit the wineries yourself.