Lyrarakis Armi Vineyard Thrapsathiri 2021

Region and Vineyards

Armi Vineyard is located in Douli, central Crete, at an altitude of 500 meters. Planted on terraced slopes, the vineyard faces northeast and is rooted in sandy-clay soils rich in fossilized seashells, a legacy of the island’s ancient seabed. These calcareous elements contribute to the wine’s underlying minerality and freshness.

The vines are cordon-trained and spur-pruned, with no irrigation, yielding just 4 tons per hectare, ensuring low production and high concentration. This vineyard exemplifies Crete’s diverse microclimates and the potential of indigenous varieties when cultivated with precision and respect for natural balance. Thrapsathiri, long overshadowed by Assyrtiko and Vidiano, is gaining acclaim for its age-worthiness, aromatic complexity, and textural depth, especially when grown at altitude in such unique soils.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-harvested in early September, then underwent a 2.5-hour skin contact before the free-run juice was divided: 25% fermented in stainless steel, and 75% in oak barrels. The barrel-fermented portion was then matured for two additional months in oak, providing depth and subtle spice without overpowering the varietal’s character.

This combination of fermentation vessels allows the wine to retain vibrancy and purity, while also building complexity and mouthfeel. The result is a wine of balance—modern in its precision, yet rooted in traditional craftsmanship.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale straw-yellow.
• Aroma: Intense notes of stone fruits (apricot, yellow peach), accented by creamy spice, licorice, and a touch of citrus blossom.
• Palate: Juicy and full-bodied with balanced acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, refined finish.

Did you know?

Thrapsathiri is one of Crete’s oldest and most resilient white grape varieties, yet it remained underappreciated for decades. The Armi Vineyard site, rich in marine fossils, plays a unique role in shaping the variety’s signature freshness and mineral elegance, often drawing comparisons to fuller-bodied whites from southern France or northern Italy.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Seafood risotto with saffron: The wine’s richness and spice complement the creamy texture and aromatic intensity.
• Grilled swordfish with rosemary butter: A match for the wine’s structure and subtle oak nuance.
• Roast chicken with lemon and thyme: Bright acidity and creamy palate enhance this Mediterranean staple.
• Hard sheep’s cheese: The wine’s fruit and salinity balance the cheese’s depth.

History of Lyrarakis Winery

Founded by the Lyrarakis family in the foothills of Mount Psiloritis in Alagni, Heraklion, the estate began as a modest local operation. In the 1990s, the second generation of the family embarked on a mission to rescue and promote forgotten native varieties such as Dafni, Plyto, Melissaki, and Vidiano—some of which had nearly vanished from viticultural maps.

Over time, Lyrarakis developed a reputation not only as a quality wine producer but also as a cultural custodian, preserving Cretan vinous heritage. Their commitment to authenticity and sustainable viticulture has brought them national and international acclaim, with numerous awards and growing global distribution.

The estate remains family-run, with a focus on transparency, low-intervention winemaking, and showcasing the diversity of Crete’s microclimates and soils.

Region and Vineyards

Lyrarakis is based in Alagni, in the Peza appellation of Central Crete, one of the island’s most prestigious wine zones. The vineyards span altitudes from 400 to over 600 meters, benefiting from Mediterranean sunshine, mountainous cooling influences, and a mosaic of limestone, clay, and sandy soils.

The estate owns and manages several distinct vineyards, including:

• Plakoura (for Mandilari): dry-farmed, high-altitude site yielding structured, age-worthy reds.
• Ippodromos (for Vidiano): southeast-facing, producing expressive and mineral whites.
• Armi (for Thrapsathiri): calcareous and fossil-rich, ideal for aromatic, textured whites.
• Psarades and Karnari: key sources for rare native varieties and oxidative-style reds.

Viticulture follows sustainable and minimal intervention principles, with many parcels unirrigated and yields kept low to maximize concentration and typicity.

Wine Range of Lyrarakis Winery

Lyrarakis offers a broad portfolio that showcases both monovarietal wines and blends, focused on native grapes, including:

• Vidiano – Textured, mineral, and age-worthy.
• Dafni – Aromatic, with notes of bay leaf and citrus.
• Plyto – Bright, delicate, and floral.
• Thrapsathiri – Rich and structured with oak-aging potential.
• Kotsifali & Mandilari – Traditional reds, sometimes made in oxidative or long-aged styles.
• Symbolo – Grand Cuvée blending local and international grapes in a bold, ageable red.

These wines reflect Crete’s ancient winemaking traditions, interpreted with modern finesse and global appeal.

Did you know?

Lyrarakis was the first producer in Greece to bottle monovarietal wines from the Dafni and Plyto grapes—both of which they helped rescue from near extinction. The winery is often cited as the driving force behind Crete’s wine renaissance.