A collection founded to bring rare Crete forward.

Θ{έρως} was founded in 2020 by Constantinos Manouras with a clear purpose: to explore the potential of the Cretan vineyard and to give new visibility to its indigenous grape varieties.

The mission is centred on reviving and highlighting rare and forgotten varieties that have shaped the island’s viticultural heritage for centuries. These are not treated as curiosities. They are living material, capable of producing contemporary wines with identity, depth and relevance.

Because the remaining vineyards and yields are limited, the wines are produced in very small quantities. The scale is inseparable from the work: it allows every source to be followed closely and every release to retain a clear connection to its origin.

The vineyard comes before the expected profile of the grape.

Every variety selected by Θ{έρως} is studied in direct relation to the place where it grows. The collection is vineyard-specific: each cuvée begins with an identified site, its soils, altitude, exposure, vine age and microclimate.

This means the goal is not to reproduce a standard varietal style. The goal is to understand what a particular vineyard can offer through that variety. Distinct microclimates, soil composition and careful cultivation become decisive elements in the taste, structure and longevity of the wine.

Most releases are single-vineyard expressions. Where several identified sites are intentionally brought together—as in the RITUALS Plyto master blend—the vineyards remain separately understood and the blend is designed to reveal their complementary dimensions rather than erase them.

Low intervention, supported by precision.

Winemaking practices are based on low-intervention protocols, combined with advanced and carefully controlled techniques. The objective is not to leave the wine unattended, but to intervene only where precision protects the integrity of the fruit and the identity of the vineyard.

Lees ageing, controlled extraction, bottle fermentation and patient maturation are used according to the needs of each wine. This approach builds depth and textural complexity while retaining freshness, energy and a capacity to evolve over time.

The final wine should remain transparent to its source. Technique must provide structure and longevity without becoming louder than the vineyard.

Preservation begins with the health of the land.

Θ{έρως} is committed to responsible viticulture and the long-term fertility of the vineyards. Heavy chemical inputs and pesticides are avoided, while cultivation practices are selected to respect the wider ecosystem and maintain soil health.

Sustainability is understood as continuity: the ability to pass the land and its genetic material to the next generation in the best possible condition. This includes protecting old vineyards, adapting canopy and soil practices to each site, and recognising that rare varieties cannot survive without viable, resilient farming.

To preserve heritage, it must remain capable of evolving.

The work continues through new vineyard studies, zoning, experimental vinifications and a constant reassessment of how rare native varieties can express their full potential.

The objective is to honour Crete’s winemaking heritage without freezing it in the past: to create wines that carry authenticity and history, while standing with precision in the present. By bringing these precious vineyards to the foreground, Θ{έρως} aims to establish a distinct language of rare Cretan terroir wines.