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White Logo featuring a wine glass motif with the text: 'The Secret Gorge - Wine Tasting Experience'

Discover An Unforgettable Wine & Dine Experience Inside a Cretan Gorge

Wine tasting and traditional Cretan food table, with sunshine background.

Come with us

to one of the most unique culinary & wine experiences in Crete and escape to a secluded restaurant hanging from the side of Zourida Gorge in Rethymnon.

Live the experience

of Cretan hospitality, and learn about local winemaking and culinary traditions and connect with other travelers in Crete!

We want to take you away from the crowded places of quick Instagram snaps and touristy restaurants to one of Crete’s most untouched escapes.

Stone built entrance to a wine tasting area in Rethymno, Crete with vegetation and grapevines and olive trees against a background of blue sky.
A balcony for wine tasting, surrounded by greenery, illuminated at evening, with a view of Zourida Gorge in Rethymno and the sea.

Don't miss the chance

whether you are looking for a wine tasting, a romantic evening with your partner, a place to host a birthday or just a chill restaurant night with friends on vacation. All while being at one of the most beautiful sceneries in the island of Crete.

What Our Guests Say

thomas Benedict
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thomas Benedict
May 4, 2024

I would recommend this wine tasting over any other on the island. The view was beyond stunning overlooking the gorge and the ocean while the sun was setting. Both Sifis and his father Misail did an incredible job making this the most spectacular wine tasting. Misail cooked so much wonderful Cretan food, gave us delicious wines, and made the night very special. Sifis talked to us about the wine, about the island, and gave us great recommendations of fun activities to do in Crete. At the end it felt like we were close friends to them. This is a must do activity if you come to Crete. We plan to come back with more family and friends. Sifis and Misail were hardworking, caring, and delightful to learn from and get to know. This was our favorite part of the trip - Thomas and Natalie

Amber Lear
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Amber Lear
May 8, 2024

I can't recommend this experience enough. Both father and son hosting the wine and dinner made our night enjoyable with all of their knowledge about the food, wine, and Crete. The atmosphere, food, and wine could not be beat. It was definitely one of the top things we did in Crete and my friend and I both agreed that it was the best food we had the entire week. The landscape was nothing short of magical. Especially as the sun went down and the gorge lit up in a way that made you feel like you were in a dream. Sifis gave us recommendations for other places to visit and eat while we were visiting Crete, and all of the things he recommended also turned out to be great. Do not miss this while you are visiting Crete.

Lys Hpgd
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Lys Hpgd
May 10, 2024

10/10 for this experience. This was my husband and I’s first trip to Crete and our hotel, The White Palace, strongly recommended the Secret Gorge wine tasting and authentic Greek food experience and we sure did get the authentic Greek experience. Sifis and his dad were very welcoming and the food just didn’t stop coming which was nothing compared to the wine! We got to tast 8 different bottles of wine, I don’t think that includes the champagne to start, and each a full glass with the encouragement to ask for more of any wine we wanted. It was incredible. The quality of the food was the best we had on the island! It was 90% organic which you could taste. We had the best grape leaves fresh from Sifis’s grandmother, a great cheese variety, deconstructed bruschetta (which was my favorite), great olive oil, the most tender lamb, escargot, and a honey drenched filled pita dessert. The ingredients were the highest quality but the recipes were simple with made the taste out of this world! Sifis and his dad made us feel like part of the family from the Raki shot to start to the gifts we received, we were sad when the event had to end, although we never felt rushed. Food, amazing. Wine, amaizing. Hospitality, amazing… now the view…breathtaking!! We got there a little late due to the cab not knowing where the Secret Gorge was but we still got a little bit of a sunset and it was beautiful. The pagoda overlooks a gorge and I can’t stop dreaming about it. I cannot recommend this experience enough! I say experience because Sifis and his dad have thought of every detail to make this a one of a kind eating experience!

Krystian Bonilla
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Krystian Bonilla
May 15, 2024

Amazing experience. Fantastic food and great wine. It’s a truly unique experience with incredible hospitality. I would recommend as a must go for anyone staying in the area.

Kristin MacDonnell
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Kristin MacDonnell
May 17, 2024

This was the most unexpected delight of our groups entire trip touring Greece. Sifis and his father are professionals through and through. Incredibly knowledgeable about wines and the area. The view was incredible! The food was plentiful, authentic and delicious. The wines were among the best we tasted in Greece. Such a special gem of an experience/locale. Highly recommend. Don’t walk… run to this event!!!!!

Jess B
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Jess B
May 17, 2024

This is a can’t miss, authentic experience. The father-son duo created a beautiful food and wine pairing and you could feel the love they have for each other and their product. The setting is stunning at sunset and after, with the gorge illuminated. Would definitely come again!

Katie Swartz
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Katie Swartz
May 17, 2024

Absolutely incredible food, service and view. A must do experience if you're in the area. Sifis and his father are truly wonderful! You won't regret spending an evening under their care!

Ciaran Farrell
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Ciaran Farrell
May 29, 2024

Our favourite night in Crete. Perfect local dishes cooked by Micel, hosted by Sifis his son. They are super friendly with a great dynamic (Micel has no English and will occasionally delegate/scold Sifis in greek-very enjoyable 😂). We had the 5 courses with wine pairings over 3-4 hours and is very relaxed. Sifis is a wise head on young shoulders, and you'll leave feeling like you made a great friend.

Garry Pascal
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Garry Pascal
May 31, 2024

Sifis and his father could not have been better hosts. Knowledgable and very hospitable, they made an everyday evening into something that will be remembered. Accidentally booking this night, it turned out to be the best on our 19 day trip. I consider myself a oenophile, a professional amateur in wine, and Sifis, a you man, put me to shame with his knowledge of wine, grape, cépage, and matching it to the delicious dishes his father prepared for us with pride. And the view! Watching the sun set into the Mediterranean Sea through a gorge … I don’t have the vocabulary to accurately describe the view, the setting, and the feelings. Thank you Sofis and your dad for a memorable evening! Helene & Garry Montreal, Canada

Malene Olsrød
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Malene Olsrød
June 2, 2024

Wonderful experience! Absolutely stunning setting, and delicious food and wine presented and made by a father and son duo. Would love to come back another time.

Anna
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Anna
June 6, 2024

My husband and I recently had an extraordinary dining experience at The Secret Gorge, where we indulged in a delightful local wine pairing. The evening was hosted by Sifis and his father, who not only cooked but also shared stories behind the traditional dishes. The food was exceptional—rich in flavor, authentic, and more than enough to satisfy everyone's appetite. Each dish was a revelation, offering a unique taste of the region's culinary heritage. The wines, expertly selected, perfectly complemented the flavors, enhancing the overall experience. Sifis’ knowledge and passion for the local wines made the evening even more special, providing us with fascinating insights into some of the best local varieties. Adding to the charm of the evening was the stunning terrace with its breathtaking sea view. Watching the sunset from our table was a magical experience that added to the evening's ambiance. The Secret Gorge is truly a hidden gem, offering a perfect blend of delicious food, excellent wine, and unforgettable scenery. We will definitely come back!

Julia Jung
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Julia Jung
June 10, 2024

This experience made our last night in Crete truly unforgettable, thanks to an incredible wine tasting and dinner experience hosted by Sifis and his father. In an intimate setting, we enjoyed a variety of Greek wines, each more delightful than the last. The food was an absolute delight!! The entire evening was flawlessly organized and it was evident that is was prepared with a great deal of love and care! I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Crete. Thank you, Sifis and to your father, for a fantastic night!

Selection of Our Varieties

Meet Cretan Gastronomy

Dakos

Dakos

Cretan rusk with grated organic tomatoes and white soft whey cheese myzithra with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Apaki

Apaki

Cured pork smoked over an olive wood fire and slow roasted in olive oil with wine, thyme honey and wild herbs

Dolmades

Dolmades

Tender vine leave rolls stuffed with rice and Cretan herbs, accompanied by Greek yogurt sauce.

"Tsigariasto" lamb

"Tsigariasto" lamb

Cooked in a clay pot with olive oil and herbs in a fire of olive wood (as practised by the Minoans 3000 years ago)

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