The area has a rich, varied relief and is hilly, with vineyards extending across alternating hills that reach to within as little as 200 metres of the sea.
The elevation of the vineyards in the area reaches up to 350 metres above sea level.
The vineyard soils are predominantly calcareous and, in places, sandy clay loam and silty clay.
The climate of the area is characterised as Mediterranean, particularly hot and dry, with a complete absence of rainfall during the summer months and sea breezes.
The prevailing winds in the area during winter are moderate north-easterlies, while in summer the area is influenced by the seasonal Meltemi winds.
Human factors
Research by Dr. Martlew on organic residues in vessels from Crete and mainland Greece showed that the Minoans cultivated grapes and produced resin-treated wine as early as 1700 BC.
East of the settlement of Myrtos in southern Crete, clay vessels dated to 2200–2700 BC were discovered, in which scientific analyses showed that resin-treated wine had been stored.
Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.
About this boundary · approximate area
Approximate area — the union of the administrative units named in the document (Eurostat GISCO or national cadastre boundaries).
Open Wine Map