10 Best Santorini Wine Tasting Tours + My Experience (By a Wine Geek)

Gorgeous white-and-blue buildings, stunning cliffside vistas, and the most delicious food you’ll ever eat. 

What could make your trip to Santorini better?

That’s simple – a wine tour that covers all the best Santorini wineries!

It’s no secret that Greece has some of the best food and spectacular beaches in the world. 

I mean, there’s a good reason people swarm the Greek islands year after year.

That said, the wine in Greece is every bit as magical as its beaches. 

If you know the first thing about Greek history, you’ll know that wine is incredibly important to the country’s culture throughout history… and that’s true for Santorini, as well!

In fact, I’d argue that no visit to Santorini would be complete without a good wine tour — mine was the highlight of my trip.

Couple the amazing wine with the irresistible views you’ll find all around Santorini, and that’s a vacation that can’t be beat!

Take your wine appreciation to the next level by taking a wine tour in Santorini.

Your taste buds will thank you – and so will your friends, if you can manage to bring a bottle or two back for them.

And if you find yourself wanting to bring home more Santorini magic, why not take a Greek cooking class too while you’re at it?

My Wine Tasting Experience in Santorini

When I visited Santorini in 2019, I did a wine tour that covered 3 wineries, as well as another guided day tour that included a winery stop, so I visited 4 Santorini wineries in all!

I’ll quickly explain the wine tour I did, so you have an idea of what a Santorini wine tasting tour looks like.

Then afterwards, I’ll explain a bit of what I learned about Santorini wine on my tour, before getting into 9 other options for tours so you can find the one that’s right for you.

First, I got picked up at the meeting point for my tour (most tours have meeting points as opposed to offering hotel pick-up, because they can’t access most Santorini streets).

Then, we were off to our first winery, which was Roussos.

We got to explore their cellar area as they explained how the wines were made, in particular, their Nykteri wine which they are well known for.

Of course, then it came time to taste!

We got to taste 3 different kinds of white wine and one red wine here, and they were all delicious.

For me, the Nykteri was the most memorable, as was their pure Assyrtiko.

After that, it was time for the Wine Museum, which is inside a natural underground cave once used for storing wine!

The museum displayed all sorts of photos or artifacts about Santorini’s wine history, and we got to see the specific tools used for winemaking.

Our guide gave us some context for the museum, but also let us wander a bit to be able to explore independently.

After the wine museum, it was time for — you guessed it — more wine tasting!

The Santorini Wine Museum is part of the Koutsogiannopoulos Winery, so we tried some of their wines afterwards.

We tasted all sorts of wines here — including a light, delicate fruity red wine that had a beautiful see-through color and a lovely structured and acidic profile.

We also tried their famed white wines and even a sweet wine here as well.

Then, it was off to our third and final Santorini winery of the tour: Venetsanos Winery!

We didn’t do a full winery tour here, as it was more about the wine tasting and the exquisite caldera views — which were even better as the tour was perfectly timed to conclude around sunset!

Besides, we already had most of the background information on how Santorini wines were made by this point.

We tried a handful of wines here, and by now, my head was a little fuzzy so I don’t recall what all we tried, but they were some of my favorite wines of the tour.

Though I may have also been a little intoxicated by the views!

After that winery visit, they drove us home and dropped us off at the drop-off point, after a 4.5 hour tour.

I absolutely loved the tour and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat!

Again, this is the exact tour I took, though note that they do change up the wineries from time to time, because there are only so many wineries in Santorini trying to meet the demand from wine tours.

Another winery I visited, though not on the same tour, was Santo Winery.

This is another winery you go to for the views, but their wines were also really good — probably my favorite wines of the trip, to be honest!

The array of wines we got to try there was baffling — probably close to 5 or 6 different varieties, including Vinsanto — and all were absolutely spectacular.

We did the wine tour inside in one of their special tasting rooms with some snacks, which was great as it was a little chilly outside (I visited in October).

Finally, we got to explore the premises for a bit and check out all the epic sunset views.

This is definitely one of my top winery recommendations in Santorini, so if you don’t want to take the tour I took, you might want to take a tour like this one where you can specifically add on a visit to Santo Winery at sunset.

Why Are Santorini’s Wines so Special?

You see, Santorini is an active (but dormant!) underwater volcano.

The caldera that makes the island so beautiful is the result of a cataclysmic eruption in 1610 BCE.

This eruption was so massive, it took out an entire civilization in 1610 BCE and left behind a city, Akrotiri, completely coated in ash just like Pompeii was.

But what does this volcanic history have to do with its wines? Honestly — everything.

Santorini’s volcanic soil — primarily composed of ash, pumice, and basalt — plays a crucial role in shaping the unique terroir of the island.

The soil that the grapes grow in then go on to influence the taste of its wines.

In the case of wines with volcanic terroirs, that typically means taking on strong mineral notes and higher levels of complexity, with more secondary flavors and a more interesting structure.

Volcanic soil also helps with Santorini’s otherwise intense climate — the volcanic soil almost acts like a cactus, reserving as much of the scant rainfall as possible, allowing the grapes to survive even during Santorini’s hot, dry summers.

In addition to the volcanic terroir, another unique aspect of Santorini’s winemaking tradition is is the “kouloura” method used by local farmers to grow their grapes.

Since Santorini are exposed to the strong Cycladic winds that hit all the Aegean Islands, and also has limited rainfall, it’s adapted its winemaking traditions.

The kouloura method works to counter those challenges by training the vines to form a circle, almost like a basket, not far from the ground.

This protects the vines from the strong winds and harsh weather conditions, while also helping to trap some of the air’s moisture, giving the grapes some much needed hydration.

It also protects the grapes from the sun — too much sun creates rich, fruity wines that may have a lot of flavor, but not a lot of nuance or structure, and the kouloura method prevents that.

As a result, Santorini’s white wines in particular are some of the most complex and delicate white wines you’ll find, with high acidity to round out the fruitness, a surprising amount of structure, and excellent mineral notes to add complexity.

What Types of Wine are Made in Santorini?

In general, wine lovers drool over Santorini’s incredible and complex white wines.

Santorini also primarily uses its own indigenous grape varieties: Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani for its white wines, which are either a varietal wine or a blend.

The most beloved wine in Santorini is perhaps Nykteri, which alludes to the tradition of the grapes being picked at night.

Made from a blend of primarily Assyrtiko, the grapes are pressed and aged in stainless steel or oak, and then given a second aging in oak for months or even years, which adds even more complexity and aging potential.

Another beloved and unique Santorini wine is Vinsanto, a dessert wine made from sun-dried Assyrtiko, Aidani, and Athiri grapes, which are aged in oak barrels, typically for several years.

Similar to white Port (without the fortification process), Vinsanto wines are rich and velvety, with hints of dried fruit, honey, nuttiness, and caramel.

There are also a few red wines made in Santorini — primarily using the varietals of Mavrotragano and Voudomato, or a blend of the two — but overall, Santorini is far more known for its white wines.

The 10 Top Santorini Wine Tours

1. Santorini Wine Tasting Tour with Pickup

⌛ Tour Length: 4.5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (350+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Sample 12 glasses of wine between 3 local wineries -Stunning wines and photos if Venetsanos Winery is included -Tour of the Argyros Winery ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine tasting tour here!

This wine tour from Santorini is a favorite among tourists for a good reason, with more than 300 rave reviews!

Santorini has a mind-boggling 3,000 years of wine tradition – yup, really! – and you’ll learn all about it during this guided Santorini wine tour.

On this tour, you’ll be visiting three different Santorini wineries for the taste-test of a lifetime. 

Wineries vary depending on availability, but Venetsanos, Gavals Estate, and Art Space Winery are a few of the wonderful possibilities!

If your tour includes Venetsanos Winery, you’re in luck, as this particular winery has one of the most spectacular views of Santorini’s caldera.

There will be plenty of photo ops alongside the excellent wine-tasting!

“Amazing way to spend an afternoon in Santorini! The wineries were beautiful and the wine was delicious, but it was our guide Mary and the staff at each of the wineries who really made the tour special. Mary had so much knowledge of Greece’s wine history to share with us and we learned so much during our tour. Highly recommend booking this tour if you’re interested in trying local wines while in Santorini.”

Read more reviews here!

One winery you’re guaranteed to visit is Argyros, the second biggest winery in all of Santorini – and one of its best!

Between those wineries, you get to try all kinds of trademark local wine brands, like Vinsanto (a sweet wine) and Nykteri (a stunning dry white made of primarily Assyrtiko grapes).

In total, you get to try a whopping 12 tastings of wine by the end of the tour – a very generous amount. 

Luckily, local cheese and olives will also be served along with the wine to help you soak up all the tastings!

2. Three Santorini Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings

⌛ Tour Length: 4.5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (40+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Sample 12 wine glasses over a number of wineries -Visit to the 2 most renowned wineries in Santorini and a surprise final winery -Additional trip to Santorini Brewing Company for beer tasting ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine tour here!

Santorini owes its distinct wine to its unique terroir, particular growing style, and particular varietals. 

So what exactly does this mean? 

This wine tour from Santorini will teach you all about the unique conditions Santorini winemakers have to contend with – and how that informs the wine they produce.

Throughout the tour, you get to try 12 different wines across a number of legendary Santorini wineries.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though, since you’ll also be visiting the Santorini Brewing Company and trying three locally-made Greek beers!

“Nick was a wonderful, friendly guide and extremely knowledgeable. The communication was top class and he went above and beyond to ensure a great trip. the brewery visit gave amazing insight into the process and the company itself with some tasty sample on offer. The three wineries that we visited were very informative and offered a variety of local wines and snacks to sample. Definitely worth doing during a visit to Santorini!”

Read more reviews here!

Naturally, all of that comes with plenty of Greek snacks and dishes – this is Greece, they’re not going to leave you hanging when it comes to food – so you’ll want to show up with an appetite!

The charming village of Exo Gonia is home to one of Santorini’s favorite wineries, and you get to enjoy an educational tour through its cellars.

The next stop is Argyros Estate, another amazing wine producer with a unique production method, named one of the best vineyards in the world.

The last winery can vary depending on date and availability, but either way, you’re in for something awesome – Hadzidakis, Venetsanos, and Anhydrous Winery are all in the cards, and luckily they’re all excellent options!

3. Santorini Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia

⌛ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.5/5 stars (50+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Tour of the Santorini Wine Museum -Detailed lesson on wine production in Santorini -Ends with a sunset visit to Oia’s scenic Sun Spirit Bar ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine tour here!

A good wine tour from Santorini won’t just ply you with wine sample after wine sample, but it’ll also teach you about the unique local viniculture!

And ending the night in Santorini’s most iconic sunset spot, wine-flushed and happy, isn’t a bad addition.

That’s exactly what you’re getting with this one, and it starts with a visit to the iconic Venetsanos Winery.

The Santorini Wine Museum in Mesa Gonia is next – this is a unique relic of the past located in an all-natural cave labyrinth that was historically used for wine storage.

“We visited two wine farms where every one was knowledgeable and friendly. The wines were varied and there is something for everyone. We were fortunate to be in a group with other friendly couples so we all got on well as a group. The Oia sunset was beautiful. I would highly recommend this experience.”

Read more reviews here!

This is where you learn the ins and outs of winemaking, from plowing the fields to harvesting and crushing.

If anyone’s qualified to teach these things, it’s the hard-working Koutsogiannopoulos family!

After trying out some of their wines, it’s time to see Sun Spirit Bar in Oia.

On an island as photogenic as Santorini, it’s hard to play favorites, but Oia village is definitely up there at the top.

Sunset in Oia is classic for a reason — especially when you add a glass of wine to the mix!

4. Santorini Wine Roads: Tour of 3 Wineries with a Sommelier

⌛ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.9/5 stars (65+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Led by a sommelier and one of the most authoritative experts on Santorini wine -Detailed explanation on grape cultivation and wine production -Sample wine from 3 wineries, paired with Cycladic cheese ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine here!

Vaios Panagiotopoulos, your guide through this wine tour from Santorini, is one of the biggest wine authorities on the island!

He’ll teach you all about the unique soil conditions in Santorini – and how its volcanic origins contribute the unique terroir – all while you enjoy some delicious white wine.

You’ll learn about the strategic growth methods and cultivation techniques utilized on Santorini, demystified by an expert so you’ll leave feeling knowledgeable.

“This was an amazing wine tour. Our Sommelier, Stavros was very knowledgeable and interactive and made it a fun experience for us. You get a tour of 3 different wineries in 3 different areas of Santorini along with food pairings. The group was small – 10 people so ample opportunity to interact. We got picked up in a Benz van – very comfortable.”

Read more reviews here!

Guided by your personal sommelier, you’ll visit three prestigious wine estates and sample some of their very finest – along with some delicious, local Cycladic cheese, because really, is there a better way to enjoy wine?

In between wine tastings, you’ll explore Santorini vineyards to learn about the kouloura technique of vine growing, which you won’t find elsewhere!

This unique method involves training grapes to grow into basket-shaped spirals to protect them from strong winds and scorching sun in the summer.

You can book a small group tour (capped at 10 guests), but you can also book a private tour for you and your travel buddies if you want a more personalized experience.

5. Private Group Visit to Akrotiri & 3 Wineries with Tastings

⌛ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (10+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: -Detailed, private tour of the ancient Akrotiri -The chance to try 12 different kinds of wine, including Vinsanto -Visit 3 wineries and get a rundown on how their wine is made ➜ Read more about this private group visit to Akrotiri here!

Besides the amazing tastings, this wine tour from Santorini with your very own guide offers an intriguing history and archaeology lesson too!

You’ll start with a visit to Akriotiri, a historic Bronze Age city comparable to Pompeii in that it was destroyed by being covered in volcanic ash – which is exactly what preserved it so perfectly. 

The settlement is essentially frozen in time, so there’s plenty of once-in-a-lifetime views to take in. Bet you’ve never done a wine tour quite like this!

“I cannot recommend this tour or our tour guide, Mary, enough. The tour was the perfect balance of local history and culture, and delicious wine. Mary was so knowledgeable and passionate about Santorini; it made our day with her informative, engaging and incredibly fun. We had a fabulous day and would absolutely recommend you spend a day with Mary on your next trip to Santorini!“

Read more reviews here!

But what’s the connection between Akrotiri and wine?

Well, wine was supposedly being made here five millennia ago, so it’s actually a rather natural starting point for a Santorini wine tour!

Beyond your Akrotiri visit, you’ll visit three wineries and taste a total of 12 different wines over this five-hour Santorini wine tour.

It’s hard to pick but a highlight is probably the Vinsanto wine, a sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes that’s distinct to this region!

6. Half-Day Tour of 3 Wineries with Tasting

⌛ Tour Length: 4-4.5 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (410+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: -Choice between morning and evening wine tours to easily fit in your schedule -Chance to try up to 12 different wines, including Nykteri and Vinsanto -Evening tours include sunset views at Venetsanos Winery ➜ Read more about this tour of 3 wineries here!

This wine tour from Santorini is a wonderful chance to go sightseeing in the island’s more bucolic countryside areas.

Santorini isn’t all glitz and glamor, after all; it’s also an agricultural powerhouse with a strong rural backbone.

You’ll taste several wines that Santorini is famed for, like Nykteri, Assyrtiko, and Vinsanto – three amazing wines that taste even better when expertly paired with the right Greek cheese!

You’ll get to try those wines – and so much more! – during your Santorini multi-winery tour.

“I enjoyed this wonderful tour when I visited Santorini at the end of October. Before our first winery, we stopped to learn how the grapes grow on the island (round basket versus traditional vines as you may find in the United States). Next we stopped at three wineries. The pours were generous at all three wineries and the the view at the last winery was spectacular! I highly recommend this tour. I traveled alone – and the other six in my group were three honeymooning couples, but I still had a fun time!”

Read more reviews here!

The route is a little different depending on whether you take the morning or evening tour, but either way, you’re getting up to a dozen wine samples as well as a short tasting lesson.

If we can nudge you in one direction, we think you should go for the evening route – that way, you can get a beautiful sunset photo of the gorgeous caldera at Venetsanos Winery.

Amongst the other wineries on the list, you might also visit Boutari, Hadzidikas, and Gavalas Winery, among others. A pretty impressive showing, if you ask me!

That’s why we think its one of the island’s best wine tours.

7. Santorini Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries with Transfer

⌛ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.3/5 stars (180+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: -Shorter tour optimized for those with a fast-paced schedule -Visit three of the most established wineries in Santorini -See the Koutsoyannopoulos Museum and the views at Venetsanos Winery ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine tasting tour here!

If you think three hours wouldn’t be enough to get a real feel for the island’s wineries, this wine tour from Santorini aims to prove you wrong!

Not only is it super affordable and well-planned, this tour sticks to a good schedule – tackling three wineries for 45 minutes apiece. 

The tour starts with Koutsoyannopoulos, home to some amazing wine and legendary Greek art pieces.

“The tour was very interesting. It is also convenient as they will pick you up nearby your hotel and drop you off there as well. We managed to try Santorini wines and learn about the production. The view at the last winery was the best. Highly recommended.”

Read more reviews here!

Venetsanos Winery is next, and its views of Santorini are out of this world!

Finally, for a more old-school experience, you get to visit the traditional-style Roussos Winery before heading back into town. 

Kids are welcome to tag along too, and it’s free if they’re under 4 years old. You can’t get a better deal for a small family!

8. Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset

⌛ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (570+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: -Sample up to 15 different wines – the most of any wine tour -Detailed tour of the premises at multiple wineries -Can extend your tour with a visit to Santo Winery at sunset ➜ Read more about this Santorini wine adventure here!

This small group wine tour from Santorini allows eight people per group at most – perfect for those who are hoping to escape the crowds.

This intimate group size ensures that everyone gets the chance to ask questions and receive one-on-one attention during each winery visit.

The price is also great, considering you get to try up to 15 different wines (the most of any Santorini wine tour!) over the course of four hours.

“Angelo was amazing ! Very knowledgeable and made the tour so much fun! We tried many great wines and food pairings!”

Read more reviews here!

Your guide will take you across multiple vineyards and wine cellars, explaining what makes each one unique along the way and what each winery is known for.

There are multiple time slots available, but for the best experience possible, I recommend the evening tour.

This extends your tour with a tour to Santo Winery, where you’ll be greeted with tapas and, of course, more wine – some of Santorini’s best, in my humble opinion.

Not to mention, the views from Santo Winery are just exquisite – especially at sunset!

9. Half-Day Santorini Wine Tasting Tour & Sunset

⌛ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (170+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Visit a surprise selection of wineries over 4 hours -Enjoy traditional food and snacks as you drink wine -Scenic sunset wine, cheese, and views at Santo Winery ➜ Read more about this half-day tour here!

Nykteri and Assyrtiko are only some of the amazing wines that this Santorini winery tour has to offer!

After picking you up from your hotel (or a nearby walkable location, if your road is inaccessible to cars), the guides will take you through a series of three iconic wineries on the island.

The selection changes up for the first two wineries: Anhydrous, Hadzidakis, and Gavalas Wineries are some of the possible stops. Talk about a selection!

“Enjoyed every minute of this tour. Our guide was exceptional and very knowledgeable! We had a great time and would love to do it again with the same guide next time we visit Santorini!”

Read more reviews here!

In total, you’ll get to sample 12 beautiful glasses of Greek wine, as well as some local tapas that complement the wines beautifully.

You’ll learn how the unique microclimate conditions at each winery create in a wide variety of Santorini wines – and you get to sample each of the best ones!

While the first two wineries can vary, the tour ends at Santo Winery for an epic sunset view – with wine served alongside Greek cheese and tapas.

The views at sunset here are unforgettable, but make sure you put your camera down long enough to soak in the wine, food, and delightful views.

10. Santorini Wine Secrets

⌛ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (20+ reviews) | Book Now

Unique Features: –Detailed tour of the Art Space Winery Museum -Visits to Argyros Estate and Venetsanos Wineries -Picturesque sunset visit to the scenic, quiet Megalochori ➜ Read more about this Santorini Wine Secrets here!

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Santorini’s more touristic areas, this wine tour from Santorini is the perfect escape.

Your guides can pick you up from any hotel on the island, as long as it’s car accessible – otherwise, they’ll plan a convenient pick-up spot for you.

The Art Space Winery Museum is a highlight of the tour.

Beyond their 150 years of making wine, they also have plenty of Greek art and sculptures on display!

“Had so much fun on this tour. The team was very knowledgeable & interesting. We learnt a lot about the history of wine as well as the islands history”

Read more reviews here!

Argyros Estate is another stop, and you can try three different types of wine here – picking your favorite might be hard!

End at Venetsanos for a spectacular view. Once again, three different kinds of wines await!

At the end of the tour, you’ll go to Megalochori for one of Santorini’s most breathtaking sunsets – without the crowds at Oia!