PDO DAFNES

The PDO Dafnes zone, established in 1971, extends to the western part of the
Heraklion regional unit, on the eastern slopes of the imposing Psiloritis (2,456 m.). It
includes areas in areas such as Dafnes of Heraklion, Agia Varvara (Agia Varvara, Agios
Thomas, Ano Moulia, Douli, Larani, Megali Vrisi, Prinias), Gorgolaini (Agios Myron,
Ano and Kato Asites, Pentamodi, Petrokefalo), Paliani (Avgeniki, Venerato, Kerasia,
Pyrgos, Siva) and Rouva (Gergeri, Panasos). As the largest of the three contiguous
zones of the Heraklion regional unit —along with Archanes and Peza— the area is
distinguished for the cultivation of the traditional Cretan red variety Liatiko. This
variety, which is also used in the PDO Sitia, has proven to be particularly suitable for
the production of sweet wines, with local producers increasingly turning towards this
trend in recent years.