History
DIAMANTAKIS winery was founded in 2007 by the family members of Nikolaos G. Diamantakis: Ioannis, Michalis and Zacharias. The first two ones are third-generation vine-growers who have extensive experience in viticulture and are in charge of the winery’s vineyards; whereas Zacharias, having studied oenology, is involved in the process of winemaking and promoting the wine. Winery is a new, modern producer of quality wines in Crete. It is located southwest of the city of Heraklion in the heart of the province Malevizi, outside the village of Kato Assites and the historic Monastery of St. George Gorgolaini, in the eastern foothills of Psiloritis at an altitude of 450 meters. The region has a long history in vine cultivation and the production of wines and spirits.
The love and passion of Diamantakis family for high quality wine, their long tradition in viticulture and the 70 acres of private owned land, was the motivation to create a small winery in the area. The grape varieties cultivated are Greek, local and international. During the spring 2010, other 25 acres of land are planted and arranged in terraces.
The fruit of the first bottling, in 2009 rendered 2 fresh wines, a dry white wine called Prinos Malvasia di Candia Aromatica - Chardonnay 2008 and a red one called Prinos Syrah 2008 made from the corresponding grape varieties. In 2010, the winery released a new label named Diamantopetra Red 2008, an aged, dry, red wine from Syrah and Mandilari grape varieties. Early in 2011, a new dry white wine called Diamantakis Vidiano 2010, was added to the winery’s selection, made from an old cretan, white grape variety, Vidiano. A third wine with the label Prinos was launched in 2014. It was a dry rosé wine, named Prinos Rosé 2013 from Syrah and Mandilari grape varieties. During 2015, a new aged white wine was released, named Diamantopetra White 2014, from Vidiano and Assyrtiko grape variety. All our wines have participated in competitions and have won major awards in some of the biggest international wine competitions (Decanter World Wine Awards, Vienna Wine Challenge, International Wine Challenge, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Citadelles du Vin, Challenge International du Vin, Berliner Wein Trophy, Vinalies Internationales).
Family’s purpose is the production of fine wines which can be blended in perfetcly with the unique macroclimate of the area. The exploitation of the local grape varieties such as Vidiano and Mandilaria, is the main target of Diamantakis family. Τhey strongly believe in the potential and ability of the local varieties to give exceptional wines.