Lyrarakis Plyto Psarades Vineyard 2025

Get to know: Lyrarakis Plyto Psarades Vineyard 2025

A distinctive Greek white wine made from the Plyto grape, grown high in the hills of central Crete at the historic Psarades vineyard.

Tasting Note

Lyrarakis is one of 2 producers growing this ancient, once on the edge of extinction, grape variety which is particular to Crete. 2025 marks the 30th vintage of this wine, from the Psarades vineyard which is facing the original winery and barrel room. It's a long, spontaneous (indigenous yeast) for 50 days with a small 8 hours of skin contact, no oak here. It's a very delicate wine with an underlying power and persistence. It's a mineral, refreshing style but it's beauty requires some attention to what's happening on the palate. It's quite ethereal and we are super pleased to show you this wine. 

Top food pairings:

• Grilled sea bream with lemon and herbs
• Goats cheese with seasonal greens
• Seafood pasta with garlic and olive oil

Kate Says

"This is Crete's answer to a 1er Cru Chablis. A unique wine, true to the Cretan terroir, showing class, elegance and mystery. I particularly love its refreshing mineral profile with a zest of lemon, a touch of apple peel and a little herbaceous refreshing bitterness on the finish, very evocative of the smells of the vineyard in the Spring."

Producer Info

Lyrarakis Wines is a family-run producer established in 1966 in Crete’s Heraklion region. The winery is renowned for reviving indigenous Greek grapes such as Dafni, Plyto, and Melissaki, and for its pioneering work with Vilana in the Pirovolikes vineyard. Their philosophy is rooted in sustainability – organic practices, regenerative farming, and a deep respect for the island’s unique terroir – all contributing to wines with real character and authenticity.

How it’s made:

• Varieties: 100% Plyto
• Hand-harvested from 32-year-old vines at 450m altitude
• Destemmed and crushed with 8 hours’ skin contact
• Fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures

Good to know:

• Region: Psarades Vineyard, Crete, Greece
• Style: White, dry
• Closure: Cork
• Vegan: Yes
• Organic: Yes
• ABV: 13.5%
• Vintage: 2024

Why we love it:

This Cretan variety has been saved from death by Lyrarakis and it's to everyone's benefit considering how good a wine this is.