At the heart of Crete, in the village of Plouti, lies Domaine Zacharioudakis, founded by Stelios Zacharioudakis. With deep roots in the region where his grandfather and father cultivated their land, Stelios embraced the natural call to revive the family tradition of winemaking. Nestled atop the hill "Orthi Petra" at 500 meters above sea level, this 20-hectare vineyard is dedicated to organic cultivation. The winery, known for its unique architecture, is not focused on mass production. Instead, it aims to craft the finest Cretan wines, adhering to international quality standards and respecting the land. In 2000, Stelios and his wife Victoria turned their vision into reality, creating Domaine Zacharioudakis as a tribute to Crete's rich wine heritage. Their mission is clear: to produce exceptional wines that reflect the unique character and promise of modern Cretan winemaking. The winery consists of 3 levels which begin at the top, following the sequence of wine production, namely the grape gathering level, the wine production level and the cellar where the maturing is achieved in oak barrels. The gathering of white varieties is done at the highest level of the winery. With the help of gravity, the grape-pulp is driven down to the pressing tank, which is located directly beneath the gathering area. Once again, gravity drives the now must the level beneath the pressing tank where stainless steel tanks are situated in which yeast extraction is completed. This way, the hassle of pumping them must is avoided. The red grapes are also passed down to the wine makers from the highest level of the winery without the aid of pumps.

https://www.winesofcrete.gr/en/wineries/domaine-paterianakis/