MINOS company is currently in its eighth decade and specialises in producing wines from indigenous grape varieties. These include Kotsifali and Mandilari for red wines, and Vilana, Vidiano, and Thrapsathiri for white wines. The company employs state-of-the-art machinery and modern vinification techniques to process and bottle these wines.
MINOS company takes part of its red wine production and matures it in specially designed basements using French oak barrels of 225 and 300 litres. These barrels are kept under ideal temperature and humidity conditions.
Furthermore, the company endeavours to showcase the diversity of the Cretan vineyard by embracing innovative methods that were previously unexplored in Crete. Some examples of this innovation include the production of white wine from the red Kotsifali grape variety (known as Kotsifali white wine), the introduction of white wine from Vilana Fume, a first in Crete, and the successful reintroduction of the white Malvasia variety in dry wine production, which has a historical association with the island.
In addition to native varieties, MINOS has incorporated foreign red grape varieties into its portfolio, with Syrah and Mourvedre being notable examples.
MINOS manages a privately owned vineyard spanning 220 acres and collaborates with local growers to guarantee the exceptional quality of grapes. The winery remains under the stewardship of the founding family, led by Takis Miliarakis, a member of the third generation. Since 1998, Nikos Miliarakis, representing the fourth generation, has also joined the workforce, and in recent years, Maria Miliaraki, Takis's daughter, has become part of the team. Throughout the year, the winery employs 10 individuals who, with their expertise and passion, play a vital role in maintaining the quality of the final product at every stage of production.
MINOS currently produces between 350,000 and 400,000 bottles of wine annually. Out of this production, approximately 70% is enjoyed on the island of Crete, while 15% is distributed to other regions of Greece. The remaining 15% is exported to various destinations abroad, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Serbia, Germany, France, and Japan.