Silva Daskalaki

Silva Daskalaki Winery is located in Siva, a small village in the region of Heraklion. 

Siva is a picturesque village in a very rural area of asymmetrical hills, a patchwork of numerous plantations of different kinds ranging from vineyards to olive groves. In this area of Crete, horticulture, agriculture and viticulture go hand in hand and have been the traditional form of work for centuries. The local biodynamic strength and biodiversity of the region provides excellent growing conditions for the vineyards of Silva Daskalaki.

For the Daskalaki family, the tradition in viticulture and wine production started in 1920. Today, the winery is run by the third generation of Daskalakis - Ereni Daskalaki and her son and daughter. Since 2003, the winery has undertaken a substantial revitalisation programme of the 80 privately owned hectares, using integrated organic farming to cultivate the land's limy-clayey soils, harvest periods organised around the celestial calendar. Situated at the relatively high altitude of 500-600m above sea level, this ideal ecosystem can uniquely highlight the richness and the distinctiveness of the Cretan wines, with hot summer growing periods combined with cooling circulating winds. The Daskalaki vineyards are located within the wine region of Dafnes, which belongs to the OPAP zone (Appellation of Superior Quality).

The small family team produce very small batch handmade wines, and therefore each bottling and vintage is unique and the wines are extremely rare. The family primarily focuses on local indigenous varieties of Liatiko, Mandilari and Plyto, with the aim to produce high quality products with the hope that distinctly Cretan wines gain international acclaim. 

Greek and international grape varieties are planted and grown in the vineyards. The varieties of Vidiano, Plyto, Athiri, Thrapsathiri, Muscat of Spina and Malvasia are the Greek white varieties, while Liatiko, Mandilari and Kotsifali are the Greek red varieties. The international white varieties of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and the red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are also cultivated. 

Silva Daskalaki wines are the quaint essential hand-made, minimal intervention wines that everyone should try to taste the essence of Creten lands. 

You can find more information about our wines from the Silva Daskalaki website at 

https://www.silvawines.gr/en