The Venue

About Dourakis Winery

Family-owned organic winery since 1988 with historic cave cellar, botanical herb garden, and farm-to-table Cretan restaurant—Travelers' Choice 2024 & 2025

Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the White Mountains in Alikampos, the family-run Dourakis Winery offers a one-of-a-kind setting for an authentically romantic Cretan wedding. This venue perfectly balances rustic vineyard charm with a touch of sophisticated elegance, inviting couples to pledge their love surrounded by lush, organic vineyards and the serenity of the Apokoronas countryside.

A celebration at Dourakis features multiple unique spaces: exchange vows in the aromatic garden courtyard, host a sophisticated cocktail hour on the scenic patio, and enjoy a seated dinner and dancing in the backyard with breathtaking mountain and vineyard views. For a truly memorable moment, the historic barrel cave provides a dramatic and cinematic backdrop for stunning photography. Known for their dedication to sustainable, organic winemaking, Dourakis ensures your wedding is complemented by their exquisite, locally produced wines.

This venue offers an intimate experience for smaller affairs while also having the capacity to host larger celebrations of up to 200 guests. For couples seeking a relaxed, authentic, and naturally beautiful destination wedding that blends Cretan hospitality, world-class organic wine, and unique architectural charm, Dourakis Winery provides a truly unforgettable canvas.

Dourakis Winery - Winery wedding venue exterior in Crete
Dourakis Winery - Winery wedding venue exterior in Crete

Essentials

At a Glance

Capacity
Up to 200 guests
Price Range
€€€ Premium
Weather Backup
Indoor option (restaurant) for up to 100 guests — cave cellar alternative for ceremonies up to 50.
Parking
Available

The Spaces

Venue Spaces

Ceremony/Cocktail Space
Cave Cellar
Up to 50 guests
Historic stone cellar carved into mountainside with natural temperature control, wine barrels lining stone walls, dim romantic lighting, and exceptional acoustics for ceremonies. Perfect for dramatic portrait sessions and wine barrel tastings during cocktail hour.

Natural temperature control · Wine barrel atmosphere · Exceptional acoustics · Dim romantic lighting · Underground setting · Sensory-rich environment

Ceremony/Reception Space
Outdoor Vineyard Courtyard
Up to 100 guests
Rustic courtyard surrounded by active vineyards with views of White Mountains and valley landscapes. Open-air setting with string lighting for evening ambiance and flexible layout for ceremony and reception.

Mountain views · Vineyard backdrop · String lighting · Rustic wooden elements · Seasonal vineyard changes · Flexible layout

Reception Space
The Restaurant
Up to 100 guests
Rustic-elegant dining hall with exposed wooden beams, stone walls, and large windows offering vineyard and mountain views. Features full commercial kitchen with farm-to-table capabilities, fireplace for cooler months, and weather-protected backup.

Indoor/outdoor flow · Vineyard views · Full kitchen · Wine cellar access · Fireplace · Weather protection · Cretan character

Cocktail/Portrait Space
Botanical Herb Garden
Up to 60 guests
Organized garden of Cretan native herbs and medicinal plants with gravel pathways, aromatic varieties creating natural aromatherapy, and informational placards about biodiversity. Source for fresh herbs in cuisine and arrangements.

Aromatic plants · Educational signage · Gravel pathways · Sensory experience · Biodiversity preservation · Photo opportunities

Tour/Educational Space
Winemaking Facilities & Museum
Up to 30 guests
Working winery with folklore museum elements, active wine production equipment, and traditional winemaking tools. Perfect for pre-wedding tours or guest activities offering behind-the-scenes access.

Active production · Educational displays · Folklore museum · Guest tours · Cultural programming

Planning

Good to Know

House rules & practicalities

Fireworks
Not recommended in vineyard setting (fire risk)

Amenities

  • On-site sommelier
  • Multiple portrait locations throughout vineyard
  • Vineyard setting
  • Restroom facilities
  • Weather backup space
  • In-house restaurant
  • Fireplace for cooler season events
  • Year-round operation
  • Winery & wine cellar
  • On-site parking
  • Event lighting

Services offered

  • Cave cellar tours during cocktail hour
  • Barrel tastings of aging vintages
  • Botanical garden tours
  • Sommelier & wine pairing service
  • Custom menu design
  • Exclusive venue rental for private events
  • Furniture & rentals
  • Decoration setup & breakdown
  • General catering services
  • Preferred vendor introductions
  • Art exhibitions and cultural programming access
  • Photo-shoot location access
  • Cooking classes teaching Cretan cuisine
  • Dietary accommodations
  • Full planning support

Reviews

What Couples & Guests Say

Google4.6666 reviews
  • Dourakis winery was so fun! Olga was amazing! She was very professional and full of knowledge. We celebrated our 50th cousin bday together at winery. She added such a special touch to our day! Thank you Olga for being amazing!
    Christine Gilman7 months agoWedding
  • A spur of the moment tour and tasting, they were so knowledgeable and accommodating to a novice wine enjoyer like me. Shareable food and great service in such a wonderful scenic location. The cellar tour was interesting, including their sparkling wine (which…
    Eric Nielsen3 months agoWedding
TripAdvisor4.6334 reviews
  • If I could give 10 I would. Went there for my 70th birthday and had the 8 wine tasting option on the patio. No time pressures, very relaxed and at our pace. Wine was excellent, staff couldn't have been more friendly and accommodating, wine tour was brief, only…
    AnonymousSeptember 2025Wedding
  • Nice wines, friendly service and beautiful location. Enjoyed our visit and the selection of wines. Recommend if you are in the area.
    AnonymousOctober 2025

FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

Dourakis Winery accommodates up to 100 guests for weddings. The restaurant can seat 100 for dinner, the outdoor vineyard courtyard holds 100 for ceremonies or receptions, and the historic cave cellar fits 50 for ceremonies or 80 for standing cocktail receptions. This intimate scale keeps celebrations personal and manageable while providing flexibility in space configuration.
Venue rental includes exclusive use of the winery grounds (cave cellar, vineyard courtyard, restaurant, botanical gardens), tables and chairs, basic rustic décor elements, parking, restroom facilities, and venue staff support. The farm-to-table Cretan cuisine and full wine selection from the Dourakis portfolio are included through catering packages. Setup and breakdown services are provided, and you have access to all vineyard spaces for portraits and guest exploration.
Absolutely—wine experiences are central to the Dourakis wedding. Most couples include a sommelier-guided tasting during cocktail hour, often conducted in the cave cellar among aging barrels. Guests sample multiple vintages while learning about organic winemaking and the estate's philosophy. Multi-course dinner receptions typically include wine pairing, with different Dourakis vintages matched to each course.
The on-site restaurant specializes in authentic farm-to-table Cretan cuisine using ingredients grown at the winery or sourced from immediate local producers. Expect traditional dishes like dakos with tomatoes from the kitchen garden, antikristo lamb slow-cooked over coals, kalitsounia cheese pies, stuffed vine leaves with herbs from the botanical garden, fresh salads with estate olive oil, and seasonal desserts. Menus are customized based on what's ripe and available during your wedding date.
The winery operates year-round and hosts weddings from March through November, with peak season running May through October. Each season offers distinct aesthetics: spring brings wildflowers and fresh vines, summer offers full canopy and reliable weather, autumn features harvest activities and golden light. The winery is open daily 11 AM to 7 PM for tours and tastings; wedding events typically begin in late afternoon or early evening.
Yes, for specialized services. Dourakis provides the venue, catering, wine, and basic setup, but couples typically arrange their own vendors for photography, videography, music/DJ/band, floristry, advanced décor beyond the winery's rustic elements, wedding planning/coordination, and guest transportation from Chania or Rethymno. The winery staff can recommend vendors familiar with the property.
Dourakis Winery is located in Alikampos village, approximately 47 km (55 minutes) from Chania International Airport and 35 km (45 minutes) from Souda Port. From Chania's old town, it's about 30 minutes; from Rethymno, about 20 minutes. The drive is scenic, climbing into the White Mountains through olive groves and traditional villages. Most couples and guests stay in Chania or Rethymno and arrange transportation for the wedding day.
Extremely suitable. Dourakis regularly hosts destination weddings and offers multi-day programming for early-arriving guests (cooking classes, wine tastings, concerts, art exhibitions). The family offers warm hospitality and cultural insights, and the location between Chania and Rethymno gives guests access to beaches, historical sites, and authentic Cretan village life. For out-of-town guests, experiencing a working organic winery creates memorable immersion in Cretan agricultural heritage.
Dourakis offers genuine authenticity. This isn't a resort that added a wedding package—it's a family winery (since 1988) that welcomes celebrations as natural extensions of their agricultural and cultural mission. You're marrying at a working organic vineyard with Travelers' Choice recognition, three decades of winemaking expertise, and multigenerational commitment to quality and sustainability. The cave cellar ceremony option is unique, and the family-operated structure means personal investment in your celebration.
Absolutely. The culinary team works with you to design menus reflecting your preferences, dietary needs, and the season of your wedding. The chefs adapt while maintaining their farm-to-table, local-first philosophy. Wine selection is equally customizable—choose favorites from the Dourakis portfolio, create progression from whites to reds to dessert wines, or let the sommelier design pairings that complement your chosen menu. Pre-wedding tastings help you make informed decisions.
The restaurant provides excellent indoor backup for dinner receptions with vineyard views through large windows. For ceremonies, the outdoor vineyard courtyard is the primary space, but the cave cellar can accommodate intimate ceremonies (up to 50 guests) or the restaurant can be configured for ceremonies. Crete's climate during prime wedding season (May-October) is extraordinarily reliable—rainfall is rare, temperatures are warm, and you can plan outdoor celebrations with confidence.
Yes—and this is an advantage. Dourakis is a vibrant cultural center hosting art exhibitions, classical concerts, stargazing nights, cooking classes, and regular wine tastings throughout the year. This ongoing programming keeps the venue active, authentic, and connected to the local community. For destination wedding guests arriving days in advance, you can incorporate these activities into your wedding week programming, creating a fuller, more immersive experience.

Getting There

Location

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About maps and privacy
Alikampos, Apokoronas, Chania, 73007, Crete, Greece
Open in Google Maps

Contact

info@dourakiswinery.gr+30 2825 051761Visit Website
Last updated:

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