DAF wines
The History and People of DAF WINES – A Family Tradition That Continues
At the foot of the hills of Dafnes, in the heart of Crete’s wine-growing land, DAF WINES is not simply a winery. It is the continuation of a family story spanning more than 117 years – a story full of devotion to the vine, respect for tradition and love for authentic Cretan wine.
The man who left the first mark
An important chapter in the winery’s history is grandfather Evangelos Douloufakis, who in 1952 won the family’s first major distinction at the Thessaloniki International Fair. The quality of his wine was honoured with an award, confirming that the family’s tradition could stand worthily alongside the most important Greek producers of the era.
This distinction was not merely a personal success; it became the starting point of a course that continues to this day, inspiring the next generations to advance the work of their ancestors without altering its identity.
Four Generations of DAF WINES
1st Generation
Evangelos – Fereniki Douloufaki
Nikos – Eleni Zoudianou
Our pioneers planted the first vineyards and began the first experimental winemaking, laying the foundations of a family tradition.
2nd Generation
Georgios – Zoi Douloufaki
They expanded the vineyards in a difficult era for viticulture, facing phylloxera, and started bottling, passing the knowledge from generation to generation.
3rd Generation
Fereniki Douloufaki
Nikolaos – Irini Douloufaki
Evangelos – Konstantina Douloufaki
They modernized the winery with modern equipment and evolved the wines to reflect the Cretan land. They created the winery’s wine-tourism world, showcasing our values and traditions.
4th Generation
Zoi Douloufaki
Konstantina Douloufaki
A blend of innovation and tradition, modernization.
“Every drop of wine carries the memory of those who taught us to love the land”
The people behind every bottle
Today, DAF WINES remains a purely family-run business. The third and fourth generations keep alive the values they inherited: hard work, authenticity, quality and respect for nature. Every member of the family takes an active part in creating the wines, from tending the vineyard to bottling and welcoming visitors to the winery.
For the people of DAF WINES, wine is not merely a product. It is a means of expression, memory and culture. Every bottle tells the story of a year, a vineyard and a family that continues to work with the same passion as its ancestors.
A story that continues
DAF WINES proves that the success of a winery is not measured only in awards or distinctions. It is measured by the people behind it, by the values they keep alive, and by their ability to turn a family tradition into an experience that touches every visitor and every wine lover.
More than a century after the family’s first vines, DAF WINES continues to write its own story, proving that when tradition meets passion, the result is not simply a good wine; it is a living legacy passed down from generation to generation.
Quality Recognized with an International Signature
The journey of DAF WINES is defined by a steadfast commitment to quality, respect for the indigenous varieties of Crete, and the creation of wines that authentically express their place of origin. This philosophy has been recognized over time through important distinctions in Greek and international wine competitions, confirming that Cretan winemaking can take a leading role on the international stage.
International Recognition
In recent years, DAF WINES labels have won awards at some of the most important international wine competitions, such as:
- Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) – one of the most recognized wine competitions worldwide.
- Mundus Vini (Germany).
- Berliner Wine Trophy.
- Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
- International Wine Challenge (IWC).
- Thessaloniki International Wine & Spirits Competition, the most important international wine competition in Greece.
