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Vilana is one of the most important and oldest white grape varieties from the island of Crete (Greece). Wine made from these berries stands out with a delicate aroma of white flowers, pears, and citrus fruits, along with exceptional crisp acidity. It is an elegant choice for those seeking an authentic, light Mediterranean wine for their everyday table.
Read moreDue to the specific climate and mountainous terrain of Crete, this variety yields light yet characterful wines. When making your choice, pay attention to whether the wine is single-varietal or a blend.
Pure Vilana wine is typically fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve its crispness and primary fruit aromas. However, local winemakers often blend this grape with other authentic Cretan varieties, such as Vidiano, Malvasia, or Thrapsathiri. Such blends gain more texture, complexity, and longevity.
Thanks to its pronounced acidity and minerality, Vilana is the perfect companion to traditional Greek cuisine. This wine pairs fantastically with fresh vegetable salads featuring feta, fried calamari, tzatziki sauce, fish, and seafood appetizers.
Generally, no. Due to its light body and delicate aromatic profile, Vilana wines are meant to be enjoyed young, ideally within 1–3 years of the vintage. After this period, their crisp freshness begins to fade.
The Vilana grape is perfectly adapted to the hot, dry climate of Crete and its mountainous areas (such as the Peza appellation), where cooling night air helps retain the berries' acidity. In other parts of Greece, this specific combination of climate and soil is difficult to replicate.
