Diamantakis - Winery

The Diamantakis winery was founded in 2007 by the family members of Nicholaos G. Diamantakis: Ioannis, Michalis and Zacharias. The first two are third-generation vine-growers who have extensive experience in viticulture and are in charge of the winery’s vineyards; whereas Zacharias, having studied oenology, is involved in the process of winemaking and promoting the wine. The winery is a modern new producer of quality wines in Crete. It is located southwest of the city of Heraklion in the heart of the province Malevizi, outside the village of Kato Asites and the historic Monastery of St. George Gorgolaini, in the eastern foothills of Psiloritis at an altitude of 450 meters, a region with a long history in vine cultivation and the production of wines and spirits. The family’s love and passion for quality wine, combined with their long tradition in viticulture, led to the creation of a small winery in the region for processing grapes from 70 acres of privately owned land, on which several varieties of grapes are cultivated: Greek, local and international. To these were added another 25 acres, arranged in terraces and planted in the spring of 2010. The fruit of the first bottling, in 2008, rendered 2 fresh wines under the name Prinos, a white Malvasia Di Candia Aromatica-Chardonnay and a red Syrah. In early 2010, the winery released a new label under the name Diamond Rock 2008, with an aged red wine from the varieties of Syrah and Mandilari. Another new label, Vidiano, was added to the winery’s selection early in 2011, made from a variety of white grape native to Crete, and its first vintage produced 7,000 bottles. All of the Diamantakis wines have participated in competitions and have won major awards in some of the biggest international wine competitions: Decanter World Wine Awards, Vienna Wine Challenge, International Wine Challenge, Les Citadelles Du Vin, Challenge International Du Vin, Concours Mondial Du Bruxelles. The family is dedicated to creating fine wines that are in harmony with the unique microclimate of the region. One of the winery’s goals is to make use of special native varieties such as Vidiano and Mandilari as they have faith in the future development of these local varieties and their ability to create exceptional wines.