Klados Winery, Rethymnon: A Relaxed Wine Experience in the Cretan Countryside

If you’re looking to go beyond the usual sights in Rethymnon, a visit to Klados Winery is a great place to start. Located a short drive from the city, this winery showcases Crete’s native grape varieties in a relaxed, rural setting. It’s an easy, enjoyable way to experience the island’s wine tradition—no expertise required, just curiosity.

☎️ Book a call to plan your Crete itinerary!

📍 Must-do: Balos Cruise 📍 Knossos Palace 📍 Check rental car rates for Crete 🚗

💬 Join my Crete Travel Tips Facebook group

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

On one of my road trips through the Rethymnon region, I took a small detour along the scenic route that connects Panormo with Skepastì. Halfway through the drive—surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and open Cretan landscapes—I stopped at a modest, family-run winery that turned out to be a real highlight of the journey.

Klados Winery is one of those places you might easily pass by if you’re not looking for it, yet it perfectly represents why wine tasting in Rethymnon can be such a rewarding experience.

Quiet, unpretentious, and deeply rooted in the land, it offers a genuine look into modern Cretan winemaking without losing touch with tradition.

☎️ Plan your Crete trip with a personalized consultation! Save time, avoid stress, and get insider tips tailored to your trip. Book your consultation here.

A Personal approach to Cretan wine

At Klados Winery, the experience feels personal from the moment you arrive. Stelios, the young and passionate winemaker behind the label, welcomes visitors with the kind of enthusiasm that comes from doing something you truly believe in.

Rather than producing a long list of commercial wines, Stelios has chosen to focus on just a few carefully crafted labels. His philosophy is simple but demanding: make the wines he personally enjoys drinking and do them as well as possible.

Indigenous grape varieties play a key role, and every bottle reflects a balance between Cretan character and a modern, approachable style.

It’s not about trends or mass production here—it’s about expressing the land and letting each variety speak clearly.

Discovering the white wines of Klados

Wine tasting at Klados usually begins with their whites, which immediately showcase the winery’s fresh and expressive profile.

The Vidiano “Great Hawk” is often the first to be poured. Fresh, aromatic, and well-balanced, it pairs beautifully with Cretan cuisine but is equally enjoyable alongside fish dishes or lighter, Eastern-inspired flavors. It’s also a wine that stands confidently on its own—perfect for a warm afternoon in the countryside.

Next comes what Stelios calls a “Cretan Sauvignon Blanc.” Thanks to Crete’s hot climate, this Sauvignon Blanc has slightly higher alcohol levels than you might expect, combined with aromas of exotic fruits, subtle herbal notes, and a rounded mouthfeel that reflects the island’s sun-soaked conditions.

The tasting usually finishes with a particularly expressive white blend: Muscat of Spinas (60%) and Vidiano (40%). This wine is often seen as the most representative of Stelios’ personality as a winemaker. Aromatic, lively, and with excellent acidity, it’s easy to imagine enjoying a glass at a seaside taverna or during a relaxed summer dinner by the port. It perfectly captures the winery’s aim: fewer labels, made with care and precision.

Rosé and reds for Cretan summers

Klados’ rosé, made from Kotsifali and Cabernet Sauvignon, stands out immediately for its color and character. With aromas of cherry, plum, and red fruits such as fragostafilo, it moves away from the typical light, neutral rosés often found on the island. It’s structured, aromatic, and food-friendly—ideal for long lunches and sunset dinners.

The red wine (Red Nest) from Klados challenges the idea that Crete’s climate is unsuitable for reds. Designed specifically for the island’s long, hot summers, it’s fresh, low in tannins, and easy to drink without losing depth. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot delivers intense color, soft structure, and an approachable style that works well for visitors new to Cretan wines.

Visiting Klados Winery

Klados Winery is well-equipped to welcome visitors and offers a relaxed, informative wine tasting experience. Guests can walk through the vineyard, learn about the winemaking process, and explore the modern yet modest facilities—all at an unhurried pace that matches the surrounding landscape.

The winery’s logo tells its own story: a hawk resting on a branch. The branch reflects the family name Klados, while the hawk is a familiar presence in the area, naturally protecting the vineyard by keeping other birds away from ripening grapes.

The hawk also carries mythological significance. According to local Cretan tradition, it played a role in protecting and nurturing Zeus in the Ideon Andron cave—located just a few kilometers from the winery—adding another layer of symbolism to Klados’ identity.

Practical information

Klados Winery is a reminder that some of the best wine experiences in Crete happen away from the busy roads and famous labels. With a clear philosophy, a strong connection to local grape varieties, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, it’s a rewarding stop for anyone looking to understand Cretan wine a little better

Are you visiting Crete Soon? 
Join my Facebook group for more tips, or plan your Crete itinerary with me!

Pin for Later!
Klados Winery (Rethymnon), Crete

Gabi, the Crete Insider

Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.

I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.

👉 Read more about Crete Insider.