Lyrarakis has long been a champion of Crete’s vinous heritage, reviving nearly forgotten indigenous varieties and crafting wines that speak to the island’s rugged beauty and layered history. Founded in 1966 and still family-run, the winery sits at 480m in the Alagni region, with sweeping views of the Lassithi mountains and a deep commitment to showcasing Crete’s terroir. Their 2023 Assyrtiko-Vidiano Orange Wine is a brilliant example of that ethos—an approachable, sun-drenched expression of skin-contact winemaking that’s both trend-savvy and rooted in tradition.

On the nose, it opens with a burst of bitter orange peel, mandarin zest, and crystallised ginger, softened by hints of peach and wild herbs. The palate is dry and silky, with just enough tannic grip to frame its citrusy brightness. Quince and tangerine notes glide across the tongue, balanced by a subtle quinine bitterness that adds edge and intrigue. It’s medium-bodied and refreshingly food-friendly—think grilled halloumi, spiced chickpeas, or roast chicken with preserved lemon. For those new to orange wine, this is a gateway bottle: vibrant, versatile, and utterly crushable.