Viannos holds third Embaros wine festival despite rain
The Municipality of Viannos and the Region of Crete co-organized the third Wine Festival in the village of Embaros on November 1, with organizers reporting a large turnout despite rainy conditions.
Because of the weather, members of the Cultural Association of Embaros moved the festival from its planned location at Agios Georgios tou Methystis square to the hall of the Cultural Center of the Embaros Parish, according to organizers.
During the event, attendees took part in the opening and tasting of freshly made wines, paired with dishes prepared using wine- and must-based recipes, along with live Cretan music. Visitors also had the chance to sample wines from wineries across Crete, an experience organizers linked to the village’s long tradition of viticulture and winemaking, referenced in the well-known Cretan mantinada “from Embaros, wine, and from Viannos, oil.”
Mayor of Viannos Pavlos Baritakis told attendees that the third Wine Festival in Embaros “concluded with great success and remarkable attendance,” crediting volunteers and members of the Cultural Association for preparing food for visitors despite the poor weather. He also praised the initiative to bottle wines from local vineyards, which were offered to guests, and said the municipal administration would continue supporting initiatives tied to the area and its products.
Despoina Lypaki, president of the Cultural Association of Embaros, also addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and thanking the Municipality of Viannos, the Region of Crete, and volunteers for their support.
Officials and attendees
Among those attending the festival were SYRIZA MP Sokratis Vardakis, regional councillor Evangelos Zacharis, deputy mayors Charalambos Kondylakis, Theodoros Kartsakis, Michalis Papadimas and Giorgos Viannitakis, municipal councillors Dimitris Mitsopoulos and Manolis Agapoulakis, Embaros community president Giorgos Perogiannakis, Martha community president Michalis Anathreptakis, Xeniako community president Manolis Manousakis, and representatives of local associations and organizations.
The Embaros festival took place alongside other wine-related gatherings across Crete this season, including a wine competition at Malevizi Monastery held the same day and an open day planned by 21 Cretan wineries for November 8. Organizers of the Embaros festival said they plan to hold the event again next year.
