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

Good wine, volcanic soil, and no driving.

This afternoon tour gives you a tasty way to see another side of Santorini beyond the caldera. For $184.38 per person, you visit three wineries and one craft brewery, taste 12 local wines and 3 beers, and receive snacks along the way. I especially like the mix of wine and beer, plus the included hotel pickup, which removes the island’s sometimes uncertain transport problem. The main consideration is that the exact wineries can change, and the quality of the presentation may depend heavily on the guide and the staff working at each stop.

The tour lasts about four to five hours and begins at 3 p.m., a useful time for escaping the hottest part of the afternoon. I also like the small-group format, although the advertised group size needs a close look: the highlights refer to a maximum of eight, the additional information says up to 10, and one account describes a group of 12. If you want plenty of elbow room at every tasting, ask for the current group limit before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Four very different stops: You visit Estate Argyros, Santorini Brewing Company, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery.
• A serious amount of tasting: The package includes 12 wines, 3 beers, and food pairings or snacks at several locations.
• Pickup makes a real difference: Hotel pickup and drop-off spare you from arranging a designated driver or guessing at local transport.
• Guides shape the experience: Billy, Nicholas, John, Giannis, Elena, and Peros are praised for warmth, island knowledge, and good humor.
• The winery lineup can vary: You may not visit every winery named in promotional material, so confirm the stops if a particular cellar matters to you.
• Best for an afternoon treat: The tour suits couples, honeymooners, and anyone who wants an easy introduction to Santorini’s wine culture without planning four visits alone.

Why Santorini wine deserves an afternoon

Santorini’s wine tradition is tied to the island’s unusual growing conditions. The tour focuses on the local grape character and the way wine is made here, rather than offering only a quick sip with a view.

You’ll hear about Assyrtiko, the island’s best-known grape, and how Santorini’s winemakers work with grapes shaped by the island’s strong personality. At Anhydrous Winery, the project began in 2012 and was completed in 2021 by Apostolos Mountrichas. Its approach combines experiments with ancient winemaking methods and modern wines that aim to keep clear varietal character.

That mix of old and new is one reason this tour has value. You are not simply moving from one polished tasting room to another. At least some stops offer a look behind the scenes, with winery tours and explanations of the production process.

Still, do not expect a formal wine course. The depth of instruction can vary. Some guides provide island context during the drives, while some tasting-room staff focus mainly on pouring and serving. If you want technical detail, ask questions as you go.

Estate Argyros: a full hour to begin

The first stop is Estate Argyros, with about an hour set aside for the winery tour and tasting. That generous opening slot gives you time to settle in, learn the basics, and start comparing Santorini wines before the schedule becomes busier.

A longer visit matters on a wine tour. You can taste at a comfortable pace instead of racing through a flight, and you have more opportunity to ask how the grapes are handled and how the wines differ.

The exact tasting format is not specified, but the full tour promises 12 wines across the winery visits. Snacks are included at several points, so you should have something to eat with the wine rather than drinking on an empty stomach.

Estate Argyros is also a useful first stop because it sets up the rest of the afternoon. Pay attention to the aromas, acidity, and texture of the first wines. Later tastings become more interesting when you remember what you tasted at the beginning.

Santorini Brewing Company: three beers in 15 minutes

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

This is not a long brewery tour. Think of it as a brisk tasting break between winery visits. The inclusion of beer is one of the tour’s best ideas because it keeps the afternoon from feeling repetitive, especially if you are traveling with someone who likes beer more than wine.

The short timing has a downside. You may not have much chance to linger, ask detailed brewing questions, or browse. If your main interest is craft beer, this tour is not designed as a brewery-focused outing. If you want a pleasant change of pace and a taste of Santorini’s beer scene, the stop works well.

The beer pours also provide a useful reset before returning to wine. Several people found the beers especially enjoyable, and the casual setting can help the group relax and get talking.

Art Space: the most distinctive stop

Art Space receives the strongest praise for its atmosphere. The winery occupies old cave spaces filled with artwork, giving the visit a character that differs from a standard tasting room.

You have about 40 minutes here for a winery tour and tasting. That is shorter than the opening visit, but the setting itself makes Art Space memorable. One particularly praised host, Esmeralda, helped make the visit feel warm and personal.

This is the stop where you may want to slow down and look around, but the schedule may not allow much extra time. If you discover a wine you want to buy, tell your guide or the tasting-room staff early. One account described the visits as rushed enough that there was little time to shop after the tasting.

Art Space is a good example of why this experience is about more than alcohol. You see a working wine setting in a converted cave environment, taste local bottles, and get a glimpse of Santorini’s creative side in the same visit.

Anhydrous Winery: modern wines with old techniques

The final winery is Anhydrous, founded by Apostolos Mountrichas after he became attached to Santorini and its Assyrtiko. The winery’s stated philosophy centers on experimentation with ancient wine-making techniques while producing modern wines with purity and clear grape character.

You spend about an hour here, including the tour and tasting. That makes Anhydrous another substantial stop, not simply a quick final pour.

The experience can depend on the pace of service. Some people found the presentation smooth and enjoyable, while one account described a rushed server who poured the wine and then turned to other tables. That does not mean every visit will feel hurried, but it is a fair warning: the winery may be busy, and the quality of explanation may not match the guide’s presentation during the drives.

If the guide is active and engaged, Anhydrous can be a strong ending because the winery gives you a clear story about Santorini’s traditional methods and current wine-making ideas. If the staff is stretched thin, you may need to take the lead with questions.

The guides can make or break the afternoon

The most consistently praised part of this experience is the guide. Names that appear in the feedback include Billy, Nicholas, Nick, John, Giannis, Elena, and Peros.

Billy is described as fun and attentive, with an easy manner that made the tour feel like an outing with a friend. Nicholas and Nick received praise for explaining not only the wineries but also Santorini’s origins, culture, and local life. John was appreciated for making the day relaxed and romantic, while Elena was described as funny and informative. Giannis was praised for being especially accommodating and engaging. Peros also earned strong marks for his work with the winery teams.

This matters because much of the time is spent in the vehicle between stops. A good guide turns those transfers into useful island orientation. You may hear more about Santorini as a place, not just about the next bottle waiting on the table.

The guide can also take photographs for you, help the group stay together, and smooth out the timing between tastings. That support is worth something on an island where roads, traffic, and pickup points can make self-planned visits harder than they look.

Small group benefits, with one size warning

A small group is a smart choice for this kind of outing. You can ask questions, meet the other people on the tour, and avoid the impersonal feel of a large coach excursion.

The stated figures are not perfectly consistent. The tour highlights say the group is capped at eight, while the additional details allow up to 10. One account describes 12 people packed around a tasting table, with little elbow room. I would treat the tour as small-group rather than private, and I would confirm the expected number before paying.

The social side can be excellent. Couples on honeymoon, people celebrating a wedding, and visitors looking for a relaxed afternoon often share this experience. Several accounts describe friendly groups and good conversation, though the structure does not always give everyone much time to interact.

If you dislike group activities, a private version may suit you better. One couple specifically praised its private tour, while the standard experience can feel crowded at the tasting tables when the group is full.

What the $184.38 price buys you

At $184.38 per person, this is not a cheap tasting flight. You are paying for four to five hours of transport, a guide, three winery visits, a brewery stop, a substantial number of drinks, and snacks at several locations.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange several taxis, hire a driver, or book separate tastings. The tour also lets you compare several producers in one afternoon without worrying about driving after 12 wine samples and 3 beers.

The value is weaker if you mainly want scenic photographs or one relaxed tasting. In that case, a single winery visit may cost less and give you more time at one location. You are also paying for variety, not guaranteed access to a specific producer.

Some people describe the pours as generous, and snacks at three stops were enough to carry them through the afternoon. Food pairings are included, but the exact snacks are not specified. Consider eating a normal meal before pickup, since the included food should not be treated as a full dinner.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The tour starts at 3 p.m. and lasts roughly four to five hours. That usually puts your finish around 7 or 8 p.m., depending on traffic, tasting pace, and the final drop-off.

An afternoon start works well for two reasons. It avoids the middle of the day, and it may give you a chance to see evening light around Fira after the winery visits. One account specifically enjoyed seeing the sunset there after the tastings.

Pickup is offered at your hotel, with drop-off included according to the experience details and the feedback. Give accurate accommodation information when booking, and confirm the meeting point if your hotel sits in an area where vehicles cannot stop directly outside.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. The activity is near public transportation, but you do not need to rely on it if your pickup is arranged.

Most people can take part. The tour does require a minimum number of bookings, so a cancellation for that reason may lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, with the cutoff based on local time.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to Santorini’s drinks in one organized afternoon. It works especially well for:

• Couples and honeymooners looking for a relaxed shared activity
• First-time visitors who want wine culture alongside caldera sightseeing
• People who do not want to drive between wineries
• Beer drinkers who appreciate a brewery stop
• Small groups who enjoy tasting, conversation, and meeting other couples
• Anyone who wants a guide to add island context during the drives

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed visit to Hatzidakis, Vinsanto, or another named winery. The winery lineup can depend on availability, and the tour does not promise that every possible producer will be visited.

I would also think twice if you want long, technical cellar tours or an unhurried meal. This is a tasting circuit with several stops, not a single-estate wine seminar.

Should you book the Santorini wine tour?

Book it if you value variety, transport, and a lively guide more than complete control over the schedule. The combination of 12 wines, 3 beers, snacks, three wineries, and a brewery gives you a lot to sample in four to five hours.

Before booking, confirm the expected group size and ask which wineries are currently operating on the route. That one step can prevent disappointment if a specific estate is the reason you want to go.

For most couples and first-time wine visitors, I think the tour offers a practical and enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Just arrive ready for a group setting, eat something beforehand, and remember that the guide may be the key ingredient in how polished the day feels.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini wine tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 3 p.m.

How many wines are included?

The tour includes tastings of 12 wines.

Are beers included?

Yes. You taste three beers at Santorini Brewing Company: Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The route includes three wineries and one craft brewery.

Which wineries are included?

The stated route includes Estate Argyros, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery, along with Santorini Brewing Company. Winery visits may change based on availability.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the experience information also indicates drop-off service.

How large is the group?

The highlights describe a maximum of eight, while the additional details state a maximum of 10. One account describes a group of 12, so confirm the current group size before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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