Santorini Wine Tour: Taste 12 best wines & 3 beers with pairings

Santorini’s wine country gives you a different view of the island, one that has little to do with caldera sunsets and crowded lanes. This afternoon outing links three wineries and one craft brewery, with 12 wines, three beers, and snacks served along the way.

I like two things right away: hotel pickup removes the hassle of Santorini’s uncertain transport, and the mix of wine and beer keeps the tasting from feeling repetitive. Guides such as Billy, John, Nick, Elena, and Giannis have helped make the drives part of the experience, sharing island stories and taking photos when time allows.

The main thing to consider is that the exact wineries can change. You are promised three wineries, not a fixed set of five, and some tastings may feel rushed or crowded when several groups arrive together.

Key details to know before booking

• Four stops in one afternoon: The usual plan includes Estate Argyros, Santorini Brewing Company, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery.
• A serious amount of tasting: The experience includes 12 wines and three beers, with snacks at several stops.
• Pickup begins at 3:00 pm: The tour lasts about four to five hours, so you return in the evening.
• Small-group format: The tour is advertised for a personal group, though the stated maximum varies between eight and 10, and one report describes a larger group.
• Winery selection can vary: Availability determines which three wineries you visit. Art Space, Argyros, and Anhydrous are among the named stops.
• Expect a tasting tour, not a full wine course: You get short winery visits, tastings, and explanations rather than long technical sessions at every stop.

Why Santorini wine deserves an afternoon

Santorini’s wine tradition is tied to the island’s dry conditions and strong winds. The tour information specifically highlights Assyrtiko, the island’s best-known grape, and the way local producers work with old winemaking methods while making modern wines.

You do not need to be a wine expert to enjoy this. The value is in tasting several local styles close together, then noticing how each producer presents them. Instead of ordering one bottle at dinner and guessing what makes it local, you can compare wines at their source.

The timing also works well. Pickup at 3:00 pm leaves the hottest part of the day behind, and the tour reaches its later stops as the light softens. Some outings finish with a view of the sunset around Fira, although that is not a guaranteed part of every departure.

Estate Argyros: a substantial first tasting

Estate Argyros is scheduled for about an hour, making it one of the longer stops. You can expect a winery visit with a tasting rather than a quick pour-and-go stop.

Starting here makes sense. Your palate is fresh, and the first tasting gives you a reference point for the rest of the afternoon. With 12 wines spread across the tour, the first winery is also a good place to ask questions before the pace picks up.

The exact wines served are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of labels. The experience is built around a broad sample of local production. If you plan to buy wine, ask your guide or the winery staff about time for shopping, since the schedule may leave only a short window after the tasting.

Santorini Brewing Company: three beers and a change of pace

The brewery visit is short, listed at about 15 minutes, but it adds welcome variety. You taste three local beers: Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey.

Crazy Donkey is the name most likely to catch your eye, but the important point is the contrast. After several wine pours, a beer stop resets your palate and gives you a look at another side of Santorini’s drink culture.

Do not expect a long brewery tour at this stop. The time is built around tasting, not an extended production lesson. If beer matters as much to you as wine, keep that distinction in mind. The brewery is a pleasant part of the route, but the wineries receive most of the attention.

Art Space: the most distinctive setting

Art Space receives about 40 minutes and is often the most memorable stop for visitors who enjoy unusual places. It combines wine tasting with a winery visit in old cave spaces, and artwork is part of the setting.

This is the stop where the tour feels less like a standard tasting room. The rooms and art give you something to look at between pours, and the winery’s character comes from the setting as much as from the wine.

You might find the tasting here more atmospheric than formal. That is a plus if you want a sense of place, but it also means the stop is not designed as a long, technical wine lesson. Keep your camera ready, and listen closely during the explanation because the visit moves along.

Anhydrous Winery and modern experiments

Anhydrous Winery is given about an hour. Its story centers on Apostolos Mountrichas, the winemaker behind Avantis Estate, who became interested in Santorini and the strong character of Assyrtiko. He began his Santorini project in 2012 and founded Anhydrous Winery in 2021.

The winery’s approach uses experiments with ancient wine-making techniques while aiming for modern wines with clear varietal character. That makes this stop useful for understanding how Santorini producers connect older methods with current wine production.

The setting can be polished and more commercial than Art Space. That is not automatically a flaw, but it changes the mood. One person found the service rushed, with wine poured and staff moving on to other tables. If you prefer a relaxed conversation at every stop, the experience may depend heavily on how busy the winery is that day.

The winery lineup is not fully fixed

This is the most important booking detail. The tour description refers to a brewery and three wineries, while also naming a wider group of possible wineries. In practice, the three winery stops are selected according to availability.

Estate Argyros, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery are part of the stated route. Hatzidakis and Venetsanos may appear in the wider selection of possible stops, but you should not assume you will visit them.

That flexibility helps the operator manage reservations and opening schedules. It also creates a possible mismatch if you are booking because of one particular winery. If Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or another producer is your main goal, contact the provider before paying and ask what is planned for your date.

How the small-group setup affects the afternoon

The tour is promoted as a small-group experience, with the highlights describing a cap of eight and the additional information giving a maximum of 10. One account also describes a group of 12. In other words, the group size may vary, so treat the smaller figure as a goal rather than an absolute promise.

A smaller group matters on a wine tour. You can hear the guide more easily, move through the wineries with less fuss, and ask questions without stopping a large busload of people. The strongest part of this experience is often the guide, not the formal presentation at each winery.

Guides named in the feedback include Billy, John, Nick, Nicholas, Elena, Peros, and Giannis. Their roles go beyond driving. The best guides explain the island during the transfers, help people feel included, and keep the mood easy. Nick, in particular, was praised for discussing Santorini’s origins, culture, wine history, and local life. Elena was described as funny and informative, while John was noted for making the outing feel relaxed and personal.

Still, a small group does not guarantee an intimate tasting room. One group found 12 people packed around a table with little elbow room. The wineries may also host other groups, so the actual atmosphere can shift from quiet and personal to busy and tightly scheduled.

Snacks make the tasting easier

Food matters when you are sampling 12 wines and three beers. Snacks are included at several stops, and the portions were described as enough to carry people through the afternoon. They are not a full meal, though.

I would eat a normal meal before pickup, especially if you know alcohol affects you quickly. The snacks make the tour more comfortable, but you should not count on them as dinner.

Pairings also help you understand the drinks. A small bite can change how a wine tastes and gives you a break between pours. The exact snacks are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu or a complete food tour.

Transport and timing: an easy way to cover ground

Pickup is offered at 3:00 pm, and leaving the driving to someone else is a real advantage on Santorini. The island’s transport can be unpredictable, and arranging separate taxis between three wineries and a brewery would cost time and effort.

The tour lasts roughly four to five hours. That is long enough to make the route worthwhile, but short enough to leave your morning free for a village walk, archaeological site, or beach visit. It also means you should avoid booking a dinner reservation too close to the expected end time.

The route is not simply four tastings in a row. You have transfers between stops, short winery explanations, pours, snacks, and possible delays. Build in extra time after the tour, especially if you want to catch sunset or reach a ferry connection.

Pickup details matter on Santorini, where roads and hotel access can be awkward. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the tour is near public transportation, but you should check the exact pickup arrangement rather than assume every hotel entrance is accessible to the vehicle.

What the $184.38 price means

At $184.38 per person, this is not a cheap tasting crawl. The price makes more sense if you value transport, several organized tastings, snacks, and a guide who gives context during the drives.

You are paying for four stops in one outing, including a brewery, three wineries, and a large tasting selection. Buying equivalent tastings independently could be difficult, especially if you are not renting a car. You would also need to arrange safe transport after drinking.

The value drops if you mainly want to visit one specific winery or spend a long time at each table. This tour covers ground, and its strength is variety. It is less suitable for a serious collector who wants a slow appointment with one winemaker, detailed vineyard analysis, or plenty of time to shop.

The guide can make or break the experience

The guide is the part of the tour with the biggest effect on your day. A strong host turns the drives into useful island orientation and helps the group connect. A weaker host may function mainly as a driver, leaving winery staff to handle the explanations.

That difference matters because the winery visits themselves vary. At one stop, you may receive a proper tour and thoughtful explanation. At another, the tasting may feel like a sequence of pours with limited personal attention.

If you enjoy asking questions, speak up early. Ask about Assyrtiko, local growing conditions, the old techniques used at Anhydrous, and how the wines differ from one stop to the next. A guide who is engaged will usually give you far more than the basic schedule promises.

Who should book this Santorini wine tour

I would recommend it for couples, honeymooners, first-time Santorini visitors, and anyone who wants a social afternoon without driving. It also suits people who like trying many drinks rather than spending two hours at one winery.

The tour works particularly well after a morning of walking around ruins or villages. Pickup, seating, snacks, and a steady route let you slow down for the afternoon. The group setting can also be fun if you like meeting other people, and several departures have had an easygoing social mood.

You may want a different plan if you dislike group activities, need a fixed winery lineup, or prefer long, quiet tastings. The tour can feel crowded at some tables, and the stops are not equally personal. Wine collectors should ask in advance about the wineries scheduled for their date.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if the minimum group size is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want broad exposure to Santorini wine, dependable transport, a brewery stop, and a guide-led afternoon that mixes scenery with tasting. The 12 wines, three beers, snacks, and four-stop format give you a lot to sample in one outing.

Skip it if one particular winery is essential or if you want every tasting to be slow and private. The flexible lineup and occasional crowding are real drawbacks.

For most visitors, I would book it as an introduction rather than a final word on Santorini wine. Take notes on the bottles you like, then order one with dinner or visit a favorite producer later at your own pace.

FAQ

What time does the Santorini wine tour begin?

Pickup and the tour start at 3:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

How many wines and beers are included?

The experience includes 12 wines and three beers.

Which places are included?

The stated route includes Estate Argyros, Santorini Brewing Company, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery. The exact three wineries can change based on availability.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Snacks are provided at several stops to accompany the tastings.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the experience includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted or refunded.