Interview with winemaker Eleftheria Almyraki

For those unfamiliar with Thrapsathiri, how would you describe its key characteristics and personality in the glass?

Thrapsathiri stands out for its elegant, ripe aromas of white fruits, such as pear, peach, and melon, alongside subtle citrus, and delicate herbal or floral notes. It is a rich, full-bodied wine with a silky texture and a fresh acidity that brings balance. One of Crete’s oldest varieties, Thrapsathiri is a grape of refinement and depth, proving that Cretan white wines can have both international appeal and local character.

Thrapsathiri has been steadily gaining recognition, with three awarded vintages at GGW (2020, 2021, 2023). What inspired your early commitment to this variety, and how did you envision its potential on a wider, more international scale?

From the very beginning, we believed Thrapsathiri had a rare elegance and a natural balance that captivates without exaggeration. We were inspired by its purity, and by how beautifully it captures the light and land of Crete in the glass. When we started working with this variety, it hadn’t yet come into the spotlight. But we saw in it a white wine with a global soul, capable of standing alongside the world’s great varieties without losing its distinct identity. The awards from the Great Greek Wines over the years bring us joy — not only because our work is being recognized, but because they highlight the value of the variety itself. For us, Thrapsathiri is an expression of balance between mountain and sea, between tradition and modern winemaking. And we truly believe it has the potential to become Crete’s flagship white wine abroad.

Crete has made remarkable progress in recent years, both in quality and volume. As one of the new-generation winemakers, how do you perceive your role in shaping the island’s next wine identity?

Crete is at a very promising point. As young winemakers, we’ve inherited a great legacy, but also the opportunity to carry it forward in a more contemporary way, without losing its soul. For us, the goal isn’t just to make good wine, it’s to build a new image for the island, one that connects the authenticity of our native grapes with the aesthetics and quality today’s global audience expects. We believe in collaboration and extroversion and the more we communicate, exchange ideas, and promote Crete together, the stronger our voice becomes. The new identity of Crete, for us, will be rooted in authenticity and trust in our land. If we learn to listen to our vineyards and translate our place with respect, then the wine will speak for itself!