Wines of Crete

Wines of Crete, by Pale Ruby Wine

Date: 5 March 2026

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Alba X Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX

Join Pale Ruby Wine to discover 8 Cretan wines made from indigenous grape varieties, including rare grapes recently saved from extinction. Get a taste of Crete's unique heritage with styles that span from low-intervention and experimental to bold and ageworthy. Most of these wines cannot be found in the UK, making this a rare opportunity to taste them.

Pale Ruby Wine founder Leni recently travelled across Crete, visiting numerous producers, walking their vineyards, and tasting more than 100 wines. From these visits she hand-picked a selection from each winery that reveals a different facet of the island, highlighting the character, diversity and authenticity of Crete’s indigenous grape varieties.

As one of the oldest and most fascinating wine regions in the world, Crete offers a depth of history and sense of place that few regions can match, and this curated line-up brings that heritage to life in the glass.

We are also especially excited to mark International Women’s Day with this event, as the vast majority of the wines featured are crafted by female winemakers or produced by women-led wineries, celebrating both the island’s traditions and the women shaping its future.

The wines will be accompanied by a small selection of cheeses to complement the tasting experience.

What to expect:

- A guided tasting of 8 Cretan wines from native grape varieties

- A diverse mix of styles, from traditional to boundary-pushing

- A small selection of cheeses paired with the wines

- A relaxed atmosphere for wine lovers to connect

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot and explore Crete in all its glory.