On Sunday November 16 2014 the awarded Traditional Settlement "Krissa Geitonia" will present an authentic raki making process (aka kazani) at the village of Sfaka, Eastern Crete, with live cretan lyra and traditional dishes made by the village ladies!
Events start at 11:00 Sunday morning and raki-making concludes at 21:00. What is this all about? Raki making is a traditional Cretan practice and also an opportunity for people to get together, eat, drink, sing and celebrate the 'harvest' of their grapes! Every year, farmers pick their grapes and then - if they wish to make raki- they crush the grapes in special stone constructions called "patitiria", or wine presses. This can be done by feet or with a small machinery. The remains in the patitiria, after most of the grape juice has been removed, is allowed to ferment and then is distilled. Traditional distilleries are comprised of large copper boilers and include long copper funnels on top so that the steam can escape. Distillation process usually lasts for hours.
A great opportunity to enjoy this unique process in Sfaka, where you can see renovated houses built in the 1800s and now serve as guest houses, restaurant & SPA "Krissa Geitonia" (or Cressa Ghitonia). The guest house complex has received awards for 4 years in a row for its exceptional aesthetics and services by the organization International Hotel Awards in cooperation with Bloomberg Television, including the "Best New Small Hotel of Europe" award.