Cretan Olive Oil and Wine Tasting at Scalarea Estate

The Boutari winery in Crete is located on the outskirts of Skalani on the Phantaxometoho estate — just 8 km from Heraklion city center and 4 km from the archaeological site of Knossos, in the heart of the Archanes viticultural zone. The Phantaxometoho estate, known as “the priory of phantoms,” owes its name to efforts by its previous owner to protect it from pirate raids by spreading rumors that ghosts haunt the estate.

The Treasures of Crete experience, created by Rami Masount in collaboration with the winery, is a tailor-made guided winery tour focused on the gastronomy and magnificence of Crete. A Certified Sommelier leads a private tour through the vineyards, production area, and cellar at Boutari Crete Winery, revealing the story of the estate and its winemaking process.

Guests are then seated in a private, exclusively decorated spot for a Cretan olive oil tasting — covering health benefits, olive oil production history, and olive oil pairing guidance. A detailed Cretan wine tasting follows, exploring indigenous Cretan varieties and how international varieties evolve in Crete’s terroir.

Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting

• Cretan Olive Oil Tasting: Taste a selection of exceptional Cretan extra virgin olive oils and learn to distinguish the island’s diverse olive varieties and production methods
• Boutari Crete Wine Tasting: Explore the estate’s acclaimed Cretan wines made from indigenous varieties and understand the unique character of Heraklion wine country
• Local Delicacies: Discover a curated range of Cretan artisan products — cheeses, honey, herbs, and more — that round out the island’s extraordinary gastronomic identity

The experience concludes with a pairing of the tasted wines alongside dishes of authentic Cretan cuisine — the capstone of this cultural and gastronomical experience at Boutari Winery near Knossos.