Lyrarakis Ipodromos Vineyard Vidiano 2021

Region and Vineyards

The Ippodromos Vineyard, source of this outstanding Vidiano, is located in Panorama, within Central Crete, at an altitude of 610 meters. This elevated site benefits from a southeastern exposure, allowing for optimum sunlight during the day and cool air currents at night, which preserve natural acidity and aromatic vibrancy in the grapes. The clay-loam soils offer a balance between water retention and drainage, providing ideal conditions for the Vidiano variety to thrive.

The vines are cordon-trained and spur-pruned, and no irrigation is applied, encouraging deep root systems and resulting in naturally low yields of around 7.5 tonnes per hectare. These conditions contribute to exceptional fruit concentration and phenolic complexity. Lyrarakis, a pioneer in reviving Crete’s indigenous varieties, has championed Vidiano—a grape once nearly extinct but now regarded as Crete’s flagship white for its rich texture, expressive aromatics, and ageing potential.

Winemaking

Harvested in early September, the grapes undergo a short maceration on skins for about 12 hours, enhancing texture and aromatic complexity. The free-run juice is fermented and aged in a mix of new and three-year-old French oak barrels.

Both spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place over approximately 1.5 months. The wine remains on lees in barrel for an additional three months, building depth, roundness, and complexity without overt oakiness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yellow with golden hues.
• Aroma: Dominant apricot and peach aromas, layered with pineapple compote, hints of honeydew melon, and a nutty nuance from barrel aging.
• Palate: Rich and creamy with a viscous mouthfeel, expressive stone fruit flavors, delicate spice, and a long, aromatic finish.

Did you know?

Vidiano was once on the brink of extinction before producers like Lyrarakis championed its revival. Today, it is hailed as “the white hope of Crete”, praised for its Chardonnay-like body paired with Mediterranean aromatic finesse.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled sea bream with fennel and citrus: Enhances the wine’s stone fruit and spice notes.
• Butter-poached lobster with lemon beurre blanc: The wine’s richness mirrors the luxurious texture.
• Creamy mushroom risotto: A savory, umami-driven match with the oak and mouthfeel.
• Aged graviera or Comté cheese: Nutty and structured enough to complement the wine’s aromatic intensity.

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.