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

Santorini’s volcanic soil and dry climate give its wines a personality you will not find in many other Greek regions. This tour lets you taste that difference across 12 local wines and 3 beers, with snacks along the way and a driver handling the island roads.

I like the mix of three wineries and one craft brewery, and I like the small-group format, which is advertised for up to eight people, with additional booking information listing a maximum of 10. The afternoon timing also works well after a morning of sightseeing.

The main thing to consider is that the exact wineries can vary. Estate Argyros, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery are listed stops, but other Santorini wineries may be substituted based on availability. Tastings can also feel crowded or rushed on a busy day.

Key points to know before booking

• Twelve wines and three beers: This is a broad tasting rather than a quick stop at one cellar.
• Four different drinks venues: You visit Estate Argyros, Santorini Brewing Company, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery.
• Small-group setup: The experience is advertised as capped at eight, though the additional information allows up to 10.
• Afternoon pickup at 3:00 pm: Hotel pickup is offered, so you do not need to arrange a driver after drinking.
• Snacks are included: Food is served at several stops and helps make the tasting feel like an afternoon meal.
• Guide quality matters: Past hosts have included Billy, Peros, Giannis, John, Nicholas, Nick, and Elena, with several praised for island knowledge and a warm manner.

Why Santorini wine is worth your afternoon

Santorini wine is shaped by a tough growing environment. The island is known for Assyrtiko, a white grape with a strong personality, and the tour gives you a chance to taste it in several settings. Rather than treating wine as just another view-based activity, the experience puts local production at the center.

You will also see how different wineries present the same island. One stop may feel polished and commercial, while another may focus on old spaces, art, or traditional methods. That contrast is useful. It helps you understand that Santorini wine is not one single style or one single visitor experience.

The afternoon start is practical. You can spend the earlier part of the day at the caldera, in Oia, or visiting archaeological sites, then let the tour take over at 3:00 pm. The stated duration is about four to five hours, so expect the outing to carry into the evening.

The alcohol count is generous. Twelve wines plus three beers is enough to make this a serious tasting session, not a token sample at each door. You should pace yourself, eat the snacks provided, and avoid planning another demanding activity afterward.

Estate Argyros: a proper opening tasting

The first listed stop is Estate Argyros, with about an hour for a winery tour and tasting. Starting here gives the afternoon room to explain the basics before the number of pours increases.

You can expect an introduction to the winery and its production, followed by wine tasting. The hour-long visit is one of the more substantial stops, so it should offer more than a quick glass and a photo opportunity. This is the kind of opening that helps you pay attention to grape varieties, texture, acidity, and the effect of Santorini’s growing conditions.

For you, the value of this stop depends on how much explanation the guide and winery staff provide on the day. Some tour hosts, including Billy, Nick, and Nicholas, have been praised for adding information about the island and its wine culture while driving between stops. That wider context can make the tasting more meaningful.

Do not expect the visit to be a private cellar lesson. You are part of a group, and the pace is shared with other people. Still, an hour is enough time for this stop to feel like a real winery visit rather than a sales counter.

Santorini Brewing Company: three beers and a change of pace

The tour then shifts from wine to beer at Santorini Brewing Company. The listed tasting includes the Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey beers, with about 15 minutes at the brewery.

That short stop is a good break in the rhythm. After wine tasting, beer offers a different set of flavors and a lighter social mood. It also makes the tour more appealing to couples or groups where not everyone is equally interested in wine.

The time is brief, so this is primarily a tasting stop rather than a full brewery tour. You should not expect a long production explanation or extended time to browse. The advantage is efficiency: you sample three local beers without taking an hour away from the wineries.

The brewery also helps keep the outing from feeling repetitive. Four wine-focused venues could blur together, especially after several pours. The beer stop resets your palate and gives the afternoon a little variety.

Art Space: the most distinctive setting

Art Space allows about 40 minutes for a winery tour and tasting. Based on the information provided, this is the stop most likely to feel different from a standard modern tasting room. The venue includes old cave spaces filled with artwork, giving the visit a visual and cultural side beyond the wine itself.

I would pay close attention here. The combination of art, underground spaces, and wine production gives Art Space a stronger sense of place than a simple tasting table. You may find that the setting becomes one of the most memorable parts of the afternoon, even if wine is your main interest.

The shorter schedule can also be a limitation. Forty minutes is enough for a guided look and tasting, but it leaves less time to linger, ask long questions, or shop for bottles. If you find a wine you like, keep an eye on the clock and ask the staff or guide about purchasing options before moving on.

One useful detail from the tour experience is that snacks are served at several venues. At Art Space, food alongside the tasting should help you focus on the wines rather than drinking on an empty stomach.

Anhydrous Winery: modern ideas with old techniques

Anhydrous Winery receives about an hour, making it another major stop. The winery was founded in 2021 by Apostolos Mountrichas, after he became interested in Santorini and the character of Assyrtiko. Its approach combines experimentation with ancient winemaking techniques and a focus on clean, primary varietal character.

That background gives the stop a clear point of interest. You are not only tasting wine, you are seeing how a newer project works with an old island tradition. The contrast between modern production and traditional methods should appeal to you if you want more than a scenic glass of wine.

The experience here may vary with staffing and crowd levels. One account describes a rushed tasting in which wine was poured quickly while staff attended to other tables. That does not mean every visit will feel that way, but it is a fair warning: the quality of the explanation may depend on how busy the winery is.

The one-hour allocation is generous on paper. In practice, some of that time includes arrival, seating, pouring, and movement through the venue. Ask questions early if you want more than a basic tasting.

The exact wineries are not fixed

This point deserves careful attention before you pay. The experience promises three wineries and one brewery, but the available winery rotation can change. Estate Argyros, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery are the listed itinerary, while the wider description refers to several possible wineries, including Hatzidakis and Venetsanos.

You will not necessarily visit every named winery. The tour selects three winery stops according to availability, so you should book it for the overall tasting format rather than for one specific cellar.

That flexibility is useful for the operator, especially during busy periods. It also keeps the route workable across the island. For you, the tradeoff is less certainty. If Hatzidakis or Venetsanos is the main reason you want to book, contact the provider before reserving and ask which venues are likely on your date.

The best mindset is to expect three wineries, one brewery, a range of wines, and snacks. Treat the individual winery names as possible components, not a guaranteed four-stop wine list.

Guides can make the difference

The driver and guide are a major part of this experience because you spend several hours moving between venues. Past hosts have included Billy, Peros, Giannis, John, Nicholas, Nick, and Elena.

The strongest guide experiences add more than transport. Billy has been praised for making the afternoon feel relaxed and personal. Peros has been singled out for doing an excellent job, while Giannis has been described as especially accommodating and engaging. John has been appreciated for creating a romantic, easygoing outing, and Nicholas and Nick have been praised for explaining Santorini, its origins, culture, and wine background during the drives.

Elena has also led the tour, bringing an entertaining style to the afternoon. Your guide will depend on the date, so you cannot book a particular personality unless the provider confirms one.

This matters because the winery staff handle much of the formal tasting. A good guide fills the gaps between stops, explains what you are seeing, helps the group settle in, and keeps the timing smooth. A less involved guide may feel more like a driver who drops you at each venue.

Group size, pace, and comfort

The tour is designed as a small-group outing. The highlight information gives a cap of eight people, while the additional booking details say the maximum is 10. One past experience involved a larger group of 12 at a tasting table, so the actual crowd may depend on the operating date and venue arrangements.

A small group is valuable on Santorini. It makes hotel pickup easier, keeps the vehicle manageable, and gives you a better chance to ask questions. It can also create a pleasant social afternoon, especially if you are traveling as a couple and enjoy meeting other people.

The downside comes at the tasting tables. One account describes cramped seating, with little elbow room and limited opportunity to talk with everyone in the group. Another points to pauses between tastings and short visits at some venues.

You should expect a structured route, not a private custom tour. If you want long, quiet tastings or extensive time to browse each winery, a private experience may suit you better. If you want variety and convenience, the group format is the better value.

What is included in the price

The listed price is $184.38 per person. For a four-to-five-hour outing with hotel pickup, a brewery visit, three winery visits, 12 wines, 3 beers, and snacks, that is a substantial but understandable price for Santorini.

The strongest part of the value is the transport. Santorini roads and local transport can be unpredictable, and after multiple tastings you should not be driving yourself. Having pickup and drop-off arranged removes both the planning hassle and the safety concern.

The food also matters. Snacks are provided at several stops, and one account describes them as sufficient to last through the afternoon. Do not treat this as a full restaurant dinner, but you should not be tasting on an entirely empty stomach.

The price is less attractive if your priority is a specific winery or a slow, private tasting. The changing venue schedule and possible crowding mean you are paying for access, transport, range, and convenience, not complete control.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The start time is 3:00 pm, and pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book, especially if you are staying in an area where vehicle access is restricted or meeting points are used.

The tour lasts roughly four to five hours. That gives you time for the four planned stops, but the route can be affected by traffic, loading passengers, and winery schedules. Keep the rest of your evening flexible.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The experience also requires a minimum number of people, so an operator cancellation may result in another date, a different experience, or a full refund.

Most people can participate, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Still, this is an alcohol tasting with several stops. Eat beforehand, use the included snacks, and plan to take the evening slowly.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to Santorini wine without renting a car or arranging several separate visits. It works especially well for couples, honeymooners, and first-time visitors who want a social afternoon after sightseeing.

It also suits mixed groups. The brewery stop gives beer drinkers something specific to enjoy, while the 12 wines provide plenty for serious wine fans. The scenic settings and the possibility of seeing sunset views around Fira add to the appeal, though those views are not guaranteed as a formal itinerary stop.

You may want another option if you dislike group schedules, prefer one winery in depth, or need guaranteed access to a particular producer. You should also be realistic about the amount of alcohol. This is not a light tasting with one sample at each venue.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour for variety, transport, and a relaxed afternoon, not for a guaranteed list of named wineries. The combination of 12 wines, 3 beers, snacks, and four venues gives you a useful taste of Santorini’s drinks scene in one outing.

The biggest strengths are the guide-led transport, the range of tastings, and the chance to see different kinds of winery settings. The main risks are changing winery assignments, uneven staff attention, and cramped tasting spaces when the group or venue is busy.

If those tradeoffs work for you, the $184.38 price can be fair, particularly because you avoid driving and fit several tastings into one well-planned route. Ask about the likely winery rotation before booking, then reserve it at least a day ahead so the cancellation terms remain useful.

FAQ

What does the Santorini wine tour include?

The experience includes tastings of 12 wines and 3 beers, visits to three wineries and one brewery, snacks at several stops, guide service, and pickup options.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 3:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

Which wineries are visited?

The listed stops are Estate Argyros, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery, along with Santorini Brewing Company. The exact winery selection can change according to availability.

Which beers are included?

The brewery tasting includes the Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey beers from Santorini Brewing Company.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience is described as a small-group tour capped at eight people. The additional booking information lists a maximum of 10 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.