Cretan producers club together

A number of wine producers in Crete have gathered together today to form a new association to promote and regulate wine production on the Greek island. The industry body will be officially named after the Cretan wine-producing region called Heraklion although Bart Lyrarakis from Lyrarakis Wines in Crete says, "the association will include members from the whole of Crete."

Forming such an association will ensure Crete is entitled to a EU subsidy as part of a regional promotion programme called Leader +. As much as E133,000 could be granted which Lyrarakis says will be used to set up wine routes across the island as well as developing a set of regulations for member wineries.

© db 6th September 2006