PDO HANDAKAS – CANDIA

The PDO Handakas – Candia zone, established in 2011, is the largest Designation of
Origin in the prefecture of Heraklion and includes almost the entire regional unit,
with the exception of some areas at its edges. The historical names "Chandakas" and
"Candia" convey the centuries-old wine and cultural identity of the place. The
vineyard of the zone rises up to 700 meters above sea level, taking advantage of
slopes with excellent orientation, combined with the mild, continental-
Mediterranean microclimate. The result is wines with a bright character, freshness,
elegance and a characteristic aromatic profile. The PDO Chandakas – Candia
essentially embraces the historical zones of the PDOs Peza, Archanes and Dafnes,
offering a broader geographical base and a more “modern” PDO model that captures
the dynamics of Heraklion. The white wines come mainly from Vilana, with limited
participation of other white varieties of the island, while the reds result from the co-
vinification of Kotsifali and Mandilaria.