Lyrarakis Voila Assyrtiko 2023

Region and Vineyards

The Voila Assyrtiko is sourced from the Voila vineyard, located in Sitia, on the eastern side of Crete at an elevation of 580 meters. The vineyard has a northeastern orientation, allowing for moderate sun exposure and cooling winds from the Aegean, which preserve the grape’s acidity and aromatic precision.

The soils are loamy, offering a balance between water retention and drainage, while the head-trained, spur-pruned vines are non-irrigated, resulting in low yields of just 6 tons per hectare. This part of Crete, less traveled than Heraklion or Peza, offers a distinct microclimate that suits Assyrtiko beautifully, producing wines with high natural acidity and a linear, mineral character akin to the grape’s best-known expressions in Santorini.

Winemaking

Harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, the grapes underwent cold skin contact at 12 °C for 24 hours, with 7% of the batch undergoing fermentation maceration on skins, adding structure and complexity.

Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks at 17–18 °C, focusing on freshness, precision, and purity. No oak aging was used, allowing the inherent salinity, citrus, and stone fruit character of the grape to shine. The wine is expected to age well over 3 to 6 years, gaining texture and tertiary complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright yellow-straw.
• Aroma: Expressive citrus, ripe white-fleshed fruits, peach, hints of fresh herbs, and chalky mineral undertones.
• Palate: Crisp and full-flavored with zesty acidity, salty freshness, and a long, clean, mineral aftertaste.

Did you know?

The Voila vineyard lies in a region historically known for its ancient viticultural roots, yet it remains a hidden gem compared to western Crete. Lyrarakis was among the first to champion Assyrtiko outside Santorini, proving the variety’s adaptability and terroir transparency in the eastern highlands.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Pork braised with celery and lemon: A natural match with the wine’s acidity and herbal nuance.
• Grilled fish with olive oil and herbs: Mirrors the wine’s saline and citrusy profile.
• Shellfish risotto: Rich, creamy textures balanced by freshness and minerality.
• Feta and cucumber salad: A refreshing vegetarian pairing that accentuates the wine’s tension.

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.