Silva Daskalaki Winery

The Silva Daskalakis Winery is located in the Heraklion Prefecture, in the village of Siva. The surrounding region falls within the PDO Dafnes zone, centered on the Liatiko variety. The name SILVA derives from the village name Siva (si-wa) and evokes the god Siva (Dionysus), a reference reflected in the enduring traditions of the planet’s oldest living religion, Hinduism. Siva is a small village about 17 km from Heraklion, rich in history as a site of worship in the broader area.

The Siva Malevizi area features mild terrain, fertile soil, ancient remains (carvings on the Ai Nikola hill, wine presses at Kokkina and Volakou, and a Linear B inscription referencing Paliani). It has access to spring water, making it hospitable since ancient times.

Driven by love and dedication, Irini Daskalaki Xenogiannaki began dynamic wine production, embracing new technologies while following the path laid by her ancestors in these vineyards. In 1998, the Daskalakis family's first winery was established in the village of Siva, Heraklion, Crete. That same year, a revival of about 90 privately owned acres—cultivated with integrated organic farming at elevations up to 500 meters—began. In 2003, the winery acquired appropriate production and bottling equipment. In 2004, the first official bottlings of dry PDO Liatiko and naturally sweet PDO Liatiko took place. In 2006, the winery earned its first “Great Gold” award at an international wine competition, becoming Crete’s first winery to achieve such recognition.