Kotsifali Red Queen 2021

Brothers Manolis and Sotiris Lyrarakis established the family vineyard and winery in Alagni on the Greek island of Crete in 1966. Alagni is over 400 metres above sea level and is a historical site for grape-growing and winemaking, as evidenced by the well-preserved 14th-century stone-presses around the Lyrarakis winery. The vineyard soils are mostly loam with some sand or clay, and in recent years, the winery has transitioned to organic viticulture. Lyrarakis Wines is dedicated to reviving the rare grape varieties of Crete, having now saved three from extinction. Winemaker Myriam Ambuzer works with the family, now run by the second generation, to produce wines that show off the unique Cretan grape varieties with distinctive character.