Dafnes is one of four specific appellations on the Greek island of Crete in the southern Aegean Sea. The village of Dafnes sits in the eastern foothills of the 8058ft (2456m) Mt. Psiloritis, just 10 miles (16km) from the Cretan capital, Heraklion. The appellation is the westernmost in Crete and covers a north-south-oriented ridge of hills that slope down toward the Aegean Sea. Rich, sweet red wines are made here from the Liatiko grape variety, along with some fresh, aromatic dry red wines.
Wine has been made in the hills of Dafnes for thousands of years. The Minoan civilization of Crete, whose agricultural history dates back to 5000 BC, is thought to have pioneered winegrowing on the island and wine storage vessels have been discovered bearing the words dafnitos oinos. Whether this means wine from Dafnes or wine made from the Dafni grape variety is not clear. Whichever it is, the discovery serves as a reminder of how ancient Cretan winemaking really is.
Like much of Crete, the vineyards of Dafnes are subject to a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The island's various hills and valleys protect the vineyard areas from hotter winds from the north of Africa; breezes from the Aegean Sea instead offer cooling influences in the vineyards during the growing season. This helps to temper the effects of the hot sunshine and slows the ripening process, leading to grapes with a balance of phenols and acidity. The Liatiko variety is known for its early-ripening properties and is harvested unusually early in July.
Soils found in Dafnes are generally lighter than those of the neighboring Peza and Arhanes appellations. These sandy, gravelly soils are excellent for viticulture as they starve the vines of both water and nutrients, forcing the plants to grow deep roots to reach minerals lower in the ground. The lack of water in the well-drained soils helps to curb excessive vegetation growth, and instead the vines will focus energy on the production of small, highly concentrated grapes.
The Dafnianos (the people and their wine share this adjective) celebrate both their history and their future in the Dafnes Wine Festival, held every summer. In some years, it is possible to see the local wine being drunk out of goat skins; in the absence of efficient glass-making technologies, Dafniano was traditionally stored in these. Happily, modern winemaking and cellaring techniques have naturally found their way into the local winemaking.
While Liatiko is the only variety permitted in wines bearing the Dafnes appellation, several international grapes are planted in the region's vineyards. Wines made here from Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah must be labeled under the more generic PGI-level appellations of Crete or Heraklion.
