The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey worth booking?
The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey is a 5-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $150 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (17)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $150 per person
100% Private & Exclusive:This is your personal journey through Crete, traveling in a premium Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated local host. Beyond the Tourist Trail: This is an invitation to the authentic Cretan way of l
What you get
- All Fees and Taxes
- The Olive Oil Experience: Guided tour of facilities and tasting of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Private transportation
- Expert Wine Tasting: Guided tasting by of 6 premium Cretan wines with a professional wine expert.
- Traditional Cretan Pairings: Selection of local cheeses, olives and appetizers served at every stop.
- Door-to-Door Service: Stress-free pickup and drop-off from your Hotel, Villa or Port.
About this experience
100% Private & Exclusive:This is your personal journey through Crete, traveling in a premium Mercedes vehicle with a dedicated local host. Beyond the Tourist Trail: This is an invitation to the authentic Cretan way of life. We don't just show you the island,we introduce you to the locals, their traditions, and their "hidden" spots. Liquid Gold Masterclass: Gain a deep understanding of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Learn to distinguish premium quality and discover the secrets of the world’s healthiest diet. A Wine History : Savor 6 distinct Cretan wine varieties in a boutique winery.A journey through 3,500 years of viticulture. The Authentic "Kazani": Witness the "alchemy" of a traditional Raki distillery. Understand the soul of the island through its legendary spirit and the warmth of a true Cretan "parea." Savor Every Moment: From artisanal cheeses to organic treats, every tasting is paired with local delicacies, ensuring a full sensory experience of Cretan hospitality.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- The Olive Oil Experience: Guided tour of facilities and tasting of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Private transportation
- Expert Wine Tasting: Guided tasting by of 6 premium Cretan wines with a professional wine expert.
- Traditional Cretan Pairings: Selection of local cheeses, olives and appetizers served at every stop.
- Door-to-Door Service: Stress-free pickup and drop-off from your Hotel, Villa or Port.
- The Spirit of Crete: Visit an authentic Raki distillery (Kazani) with tastings of local spirits.
Not included
- Personal Expenses: Souvenirs or additional bottles of wine/oil purchased for home.
What you'll see and do
Skalani
Stop 1: The Liquid Gold Experience (Olive Oil Mill) Groves & Facilities: Walk through the olive groves and explore the mill. Learn the secrets of production, from ancient stone mills to modern cold-press. Expert Tasting: Master the professional way to taste Extra Virgin Olive Oil and identify its unique health benefits. Cretan Pairing: Savor our "liquid gold" drizzled over warm artisanal bread, accompanied by organic olives and local delicacies.
75 minutes here
Kounavi
Stop 2: Boutique Winery & Guided Tasting The Vineyard Walk: Walk through the vines where it all starts. Learn how the Cretan earth and sun produce our unique local grapes. Estate Visit: Explore the winery's facilities to see how we transform the harvest into award-winning wine. The Tasting: Enjoy 5 different local varieties. A wine expert will guide you through the aromas and flavors of Crete in a relaxed, private setting. Cretan Pairings: Your wine is served with a selection of local cheeses and traditional rusks.
90 minutes here
Stironas
Stop 3: Authentic Raki Distillery (Kazani) The Traditional Ritual: Visit a real Cretan "Kazani" to see the hand-crafted way we produce our famous Raki (Tsikoudia). The Spirit of Crete: Taste high-quality, smooth Raki and local spirits straight from the source. Authentic "Meze": No Raki is served alone! Enjoy your tasting with traditional Cretan snacks and local appetizers in a warm, private atmosphere.
75 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 11 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Creta Maze
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
9 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
5 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very nice private tour with an exposure to Cretan culture and history.
This was a great day exploring the olive oil and wine of Crete. Our driver picked us up close to our hotel in old town Heraklion and drove us to the countryside. It was a very comfortable ride in a multi passenger Mercedes van. We arrived at the Kleanthi Olive Farm for the olive oil tasting which included a cheese and fruit plate paired with the tasting. A little tour with the local guide to the olive trees and the processing plant with an explanation of the process was very informative. Our day continued to a Raki (distillery?) place....not sure what to call it. Very nice older gentleman greeted us. Love the history and character in this place. We finished the tour at Stilianou Winery where we sampled five of their wines paired carefully with different cheeses and fruit, followed by a short tour. This was a nice quaint tour to some very nice facilities that are not overgrown large commercial operations. The history and character of the locations made it a very enjoyable day. Our guide was quite knowledgeable and provided us an insight to the Cretan culture and history.
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional private tour
We had a fantastic day on this tour. Our driver and guide, Soto, met us right at the cruise port exactly as planned. The tour company communicated clearly beforehand and made it very easy to find him. From the moment we got in the van, Soto was professional, friendly, and ready to take us on our adventure. Stop 1 — Kleanthi Olive Farm We were greeted by both the staff and a few resident cats. They served a beautiful platter of local breads and pairings for our olive oil tasting, which was followed by a tour of the grounds and their production process. The staff was incredibly welcoming and informative — I learned so much, and I will never look at buying olive oil the same way again. Stop 2 — Stilianou Winery This family-owned winery was another highlight. After a short tour, we sat outside overlooking a stunning view and sampled several of their wines. Every wine was excellent; my personal favorite was the Theon Dora white, though all of them were delicious. Stop 3 — Raki Distillery Our final stop was a raki distillery run by two brothers. We met one of them and he could not have been more gracious, even with limited English. Once again, we were offered a generous spread of food to enjoy alongside the tasting. While raki isn’t really my drink, I’m glad I had the chance to try it. We also toured the facility and saw how the raki is barreled and fermented. Overall, this was an exceptional tour. Great communication, punctual service, beautiful stops, and a guide who clearly loves what he does. Thank you for a wonderful experience. Yamas!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour exploring Crete!
Soto, our tour guide, was really good! We had a great and educational day…visited an olive oil factory and tasted amazing olive oil, had an awesome time at a 5-generation family winery and tasted 6 delicious wines, and had an amazing experience touring a winery and raki distillery owned by 2 brothers! We got to bottle our own wine and taste many flavors of raki. An excellent day! Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent!! Highly recommend
Excellent!! 5++ Soto was incredibly informative and friendly. Really enjoyed the personal experience visiting the 5 generation run winery and the enthusiastic raki distillery family.
via Tripadvisor
Our guide Joseph was A++!
My husband and I went to Crete as the first destination for our honeymoon, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Specifically, this tour was fantastic. We lucked out, and upon pick up, were informed that we would be the only attendees. Our tour guide Joseph was incredibly friendly and charismatic, while remaining professional the whole time. By the end, we felt we had made a friend. We agree with the description that this wasn't "touristic," but we experienced the island in a beautifully rich and vibrant way. We learned about the history, culture and economy of the island through the nature, villages, farms and people we saw throughout the tour. We really couldn't have asked for a better experience. While this is a glowing review, this tour isn't for you if you only want to do the tastings. What made this so amazing for us is that we weren't treated simply as patrons at a restaurant, but immersed in the customs and treated as a guest in all of their homes. These were family businesses, and they were clearly sharing a part of their cultural identity as well. This tour isn't for you if you are close minded to other people's way of life either. They deserve respect from all of us that want to visit, and this experience is more than worth the price. It absolutely *is* meant for you if you're an inquisitive person, open to experiencing how Crete and its people live and work. Please book this tour if you love trying new things and want to support locally owned businesses! Joseph was a wonderful tour guide. He is a local that clearly loves his island so much. From picking local herbs for us to smell, to walking us through Cretan traditions, to teaching us about the history of the island and how it affects modern day, he was constantly enriching the tours with all 5 senses. He left no question unanswered, and even indulged the ones about mythology and ancient civilizations. He told us he doesn't usually do this particular tour, but definitely request him if our review speaks to you. I have to reiterate that my husband and I could not be happier with this tour experience. We wish everyone we met well, and hope to come back again with friends in a couple years. Truly, we started the tour with a "yassas" and ended with "yassou." If you book this, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Yamas!!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $150 to $225
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey cost?
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Prices start at $150 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Essence of Crete:Private Olive Oil, Wine & Distillery Journey start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, 5Hour Safari Tour in Crete(Heraklion)with Quad,Jeep,Buggy & Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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