Mantilari is one of the oldest Greek varieties, native to the Cretan vineyard, polyclonal, which exists in almost all the wine-growing regions of Greece (in 7 of the 11 wine-growing regions) with various synonyms and variations. The main wine-growing Cretan regions for Mantilari, like Kotsifali, are: PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Archanes, PDO Peza and PDO Chandakas Candia zone.

Its name probably comes from the Cretan word “mantila”, a head cover for women, basically to protect them from the sun, but also a useful fabric–towel which was tied around the waist and grapes were often placed in it. The mantila could be filled with Mantilaros grapes, and sometimes it was dyed by their must, so perhaps this gave this variety its name.

This is a dynamic, productive variety with medium to large grapes. The grape is medium to large, almost spherical, and sometimes disc-shaped, with a thick, tough, blue-black color with violet shades. Some clones produce a ruby colored wine with stable flavor, especially if they are cultivated at high altitudes.

This particular variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but sensitive to downy mildew and botrytis. It thrives and gives very good quality wine products in light, gravelly, dry soils and high altitude.

Mantilari produces wines of medium to low alcohol content, high acidity and rich in color. A characteristic feature of this variety is the production of wines with bright red color, hard tannins and rough flavor. Usually it is mixed with softer and rounder wines, such as Kotsifali and Liatiko. In recent years, its blending with the Syrah variety gives a very interesting and complex wine.