Vilana is a white variety of polyclonal winemaking composition, cultivated for a long time mainly in the prefecture of Heraklion (5,000,000 sq. m).

It is a lively, robust, very productive variety, resistant to Phomopsis, but sensitive to powdery mildew and botrytis. Probably the name was given during the Cretan-Venetian period and it is related to the “villeins”, who were land laborers (and vine growers) with a close personal and financial dependence on their masters. According to another version, the name implies both the durability and adaptability of the variety to adverse environmental and cultivation conditions, or the lower quality of the wines of this variety compared to other noble Cretan varieties (Athiri, Thrapsathiri, Vidiano, etc.).

The grape is medium to large, cylindrical-conical with medium density, and small to medium with thin yellow to yellow-white skin.
Like all winemaking varieties of the Prefecture, the year plays a key role in its quality. Late spring water and a cool summer substantially assist the production of quality grapes by Vilana.

When Vilana is properly cultivated, in the right soil, with a small load per plant, it produces wines of medium to high alcohol content, good acidity, moderately aromatic, with tendency to oxidize; therefore wine making must be carefully carried out.

From this variety the white dry wine of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) “Peza”, the white dry wine PDO “Sitia” (together with Thrapsathiri), and some Local Wines (Cretan Wine, Wine of Heraklion, Lasithi, Kissamos) are produced.