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

Wine tastes better with a view. This afternoon tour pairs Santorini’s volcanic wines with local beer, four tasting stops, snacks, and hotel pickup, making it an easy way to explore the island’s drinks without worrying about roads or a designated driver. I especially like the wide range of 12 wines and three beers, plus the chance to see both polished wineries and Art Space’s unusual old caves. I also like that the group is intended to be small, so the afternoon can feel social rather than factory-like.

The main catch is that the exact wineries can vary. The advertised highlights name three wineries and one brewery, but the group does not necessarily visit every winery associated with the broader program. One other point deserves attention: the stated group size is inconsistent, described as capped at eight in one place and up to 10 elsewhere, while one experience had 12 people. If intimate tastings matter to you, confirm the expected size before booking.

Five things to know before you book

• Four tasting stops in roughly four to five hours: You visit three wineries and Santorini Brewing Company in one afternoon.
• Assyrtiko takes center stage: Santorini’s famous white grape and the island’s dry conditions shape much of the wine experience.
• Beer breaks up the wine tasting: Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey beers add variety rather than giving you an afternoon of only white wine.
• Guides can make or break the day: Billy, Peros, Giannis, John, Nick, Nicholas, and Elena are praised for warmth, local insight, and good pacing, though guide involvement may vary.
• Included snacks matter: Food is served at several stops, helping balance the generous pours.
• The winery lineup is not fixed: Art Space and Anhydrous are listed stops, while the remaining winery choices may depend on availability.

Why Santorini wine is worth your afternoon

Santorini’s wine culture is unusual because the island’s growing conditions are tough. The tour focuses on the local character of the wines, especially the strong personality of Assyrtiko. At Anhydrous Winery, the project is tied to winemaker Apostolos Mountrichas, who began his Santorini work in 2012 and completed the winery in 2021.

The winery’s approach also gives the tour some substance beyond simple sipping. Anhydrous experiments with ancient winemaking methods while aiming for modern wines with clean varietal character. That contrast, old methods paired with present-day production, gives you something to listen for as you taste.

I like that this is not only a wine bar crawl. You get a look at production spaces, winery settings, and the people behind the bottles. The experience gives you useful context for the wines you may already see in restaurants and shops around Santorini.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. This is a tasting tour, not a full wine-school course. The quality of the explanation depends partly on your guide and partly on the staff at each stop. Some guides provide island stories and wine background throughout the drives. At other times, the winery staff may do most of the talking.

Estate Argyros begins the wine route

Estate Argyros receives about an hour and serves as one of the main wine stops. You can expect a winery tour followed by tasting, with admission included in the price.

The value here is the chance to begin with a proper winery visit instead of rushing straight into a tasting counter. An hour gives the stop room for explanation, samples, and a look behind the scenes. That matters because Santorini wine can seem mysterious if you only encounter a bottle at dinner without learning how it was made.

This is also a good time to pace yourself. The full tour includes 12 wines, so you do not need to treat the first pour like a race. Eat the provided snacks, take notes if a wine catches your attention, and remember that the afternoon continues through several more stops.

Because the exact winery schedule can change, I would ask your guide at pickup which producers you will visit that day. The program has been associated with several Santorini wineries, but the final three-winery combination is based on availability.

Santorini Brewing Company adds a welcome change

The brewery stop is short, about 15 minutes, but it serves an important purpose. You taste three local beers: Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey.

After wine tasting, beer resets your palate and changes the rhythm of the afternoon. It is also useful for couples or friends who do not all enjoy wine to the same degree. The beer stop gives the experience a broader Greek drinks focus instead of making it suitable only for serious wine fans.

Do not expect a long brewery tour at this stop. Fifteen minutes is enough for a tasting, but not much more. The appeal is variety and the chance to try local craft beer, not an extended lesson in brewing.

The beer can also help you compare how Santorini’s producers work with local identity. Wine may be the island’s better-known drink, but the inclusion of Crazy Donkey and the other beers makes the day feel less predictable.

Art Space brings character and atmosphere

Art Space is allotted about 40 minutes and includes both a winery tour and wine tasting. It is likely to be the most distinctive stop for people who care about place and atmosphere as much as the drink itself.

The winery occupies cave spaces filled with artwork, giving the visit a setting that feels different from a standard commercial tasting room. Esmeralda is singled out for making the stop especially memorable, and the art-filled caves provide one of the clearest examples of how Santorini’s old spaces can be used in a creative way.

This is the stop I would most want to linger over, though the schedule may not allow much extra time. Forty minutes passes quickly once you include the tour, tasting, and movement through the space. If you see a bottle or artwork you want to investigate, do not wait until the final minute.

Art Space is also a reminder that winery quality is not judged only by the number of pours. The setting, the welcome, and the story behind the building can be just as important. For many people, this will be the afternoon’s most memorable visit.

Anhydrous Winery explores old methods with a modern aim

Anhydrous Winery receives about an hour, matching Estate Argyros as one of the longer stops. The winery was founded by Apostolos Mountrichas in 2021 after his Santorini project began in 2012.

Its stated philosophy centers on experiments with ancient winemaking techniques, while keeping the finished wines pure and true to their grape varieties. That makes Anhydrous a useful stop for anyone interested in the relationship between Santorini’s past and its current wine industry.

The experience here may feel more formal than Art Space. One account describes a rushed tasting with staff moving between tables, while other accounts describe generous pours and good service across the afternoon. I would treat this as a possible weakness of a busy group schedule rather than a guaranteed problem.

The longer time allocation should help, but it does not guarantee a private tasting. If the room is crowded, you may have less time for questions or browsing. Your guide’s role matters here. A guide who stays involved can connect the wine to the island and keep the stop from feeling like simple glass filling.

The guide often shapes the whole experience

The strongest part of this tour may be the person driving the vehicle. Billy is praised for being fun and attentive, while Peros receives credit for guiding the group well. Giannis is described as friendly and accommodating, and John is praised for making the tour relaxed and romantic.

Nick and Nicholas are especially useful for visitors who want more than winery names. They are described as sharing information about Santorini’s wine traditions, the island’s origins, local culture, and personal experience. Nicholas also took pictures for the group, which can be a thoughtful touch on a scenic afternoon.

Elena is praised for being entertaining and informative, with a punctual bus and generous pours. These details point to an important practical truth: the itinerary gives you the framework, but the guide determines how much you learn between stops.

I would use the drives well. Ask about local grapes, the wineries scheduled for your date, and where to buy bottles later. A good guide can also help you understand the differences between the stops, rather than leaving each tasting as an isolated sample.

The experience is not always equally guide-led. One unhappy account describes a driver who mainly dropped the group at each destination and offered little regional background. That is a fair warning for anyone booking primarily for education. If you want a detailed lecture, ask at the beginning how much wine and island information the guide will provide.

Snacks and generous pours make the price easier to justify

At $184.38 per person, this is not a cheap tasting. The price needs to cover transport, the guide, four admission-included stops, 12 wine samples, three beers, and food pairings.

I think the value is strongest if you want convenience. Santorini’s roads and transport can be unpredictable, and arranging several winery visits on your own would require coordination, driving, and careful timing. Here, pickup is offered, the route is organized, and you can taste without taking the wheel afterward.

The snacks are more important than they may sound. Food is served at several locations, and one account describes enough snacks to last through the whole afternoon. Pairings also help you judge the wines more fairly, since a wine can taste different with food than it does by itself.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one beautiful winery, a slow meal, or a private tasting. This is a four-stop schedule, and the program must keep moving. Some tasting tables may feel cramped, especially if the group reaches the higher end of the stated capacity.

Group size, timing, and comfort

The tour begins at 3:00 pm and lasts approximately four to five hours. That timing works well for a relaxed afternoon and may put you near Fira around sunset, depending on the schedule and conditions. One account specifically enjoyed seeing the sunset in Fira after the winery visits.

Hotel pickup is a major convenience, especially if you are staying in Oia or another part of Santorini where connecting transport can take time. The meeting details are limited, so pay close attention to the pickup instructions you receive after booking.

The group-size information deserves a careful look. The highlights describe a maximum of eight for a personal experience. The additional information gives a maximum of 10, and one tasting account describes a group of 12. That difference affects elbow room, questions, and how personal each stop feels.

Most people can participate, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Still, this is not the same as promising spacious seating at every winery. If you dislike crowded tasting tables, contact Greece Holiday Tours before paying and ask for the expected number on your date.

Who will enjoy this Santorini wine tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a simple way to sample a lot of local drinks in one afternoon. It suits couples, honeymooners, and friends who want a social activity after a morning of walking, ruins, or sightseeing.

It is also a good choice if you do not want to drive. You can try wine and beer, enjoy the views, and let the guide manage the route. The hotel pickup and drop-off option is especially useful when you are staying away from the main town.

You may also like it if you prefer variety. The brewery breaks up the winery visits, Art Space offers a memorable setting, and Anhydrous adds a clear focus on traditional techniques and modern wine production.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed list of specific wineries. The final three can vary, and one unhappy experience came from expecting particular wineries that were not visited. I would also hesitate if your priority is a quiet, highly private tasting, since group size and crowded rooms can affect the mood.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want breadth, transport, and a friendly guide more than a carefully controlled private tasting. Twelve wines, three beers, snacks, and four stops give you a generous introduction to Santorini’s drinks in a single afternoon.

Before booking, ask which three wineries are planned and how many people are expected in your group. If the answer includes Art Space and Anhydrous, you have a particularly appealing mix of atmosphere, wine, and production insight. If your guide is someone like Billy, Nick, Nicholas, Giannis, John, Peros, or Elena, the experience may feel warm and personal.

The tour earns its strong overall rating through variety, convenience, scenery, and guides who often add local color. Just remember that winery availability, crowding, and guide involvement can change the feel of the day. Cancel at least 24 hours before the 3:00 pm start for a full refund, and book only after deciding that flexibility is worth the trade-off.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 3:00 pm.

How many wines and beers are included?

The experience includes tastings of 12 wines and three beers.

Which places does the tour visit?

The listed stops are Estate Argyros, Santorini Brewing Company, Art Space, and Anhydrous Winery. The exact winery lineup may vary based on availability.

Is transportation included?

Pickup is offered, and the tour includes transportation with a guide or driver.

What food is included?

Snacks are included to accompany the tastings. Food is provided at several stops.

How far in advance can I cancel?

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