Naxos: Saint Anna Winery Tour & Wine Tasting with Farm Walk

Summary

Saint Anna Winery’s old chapel, farm strolls and Cycladic wine tasting in Naxos

You’ll wander through olive groves and vineyards at Saint Anna Winery in Naxos, pause at a centuries-old chapel, learn about winemaking from locals who really care—and taste six or more wines paired with Cycladic snacks straight from their garden. Expect laughter, earthy flavors, and that slow island feeling you might not want to shake off.

What’s the experience like?

“That’s thyme,” our guide said, crushing a sprig between her fingers so the smell hit us before I even saw the little purple flowers. We’d wandered off the path for a second—well, I did, distracted by a row of silvery olive trees. The air was still warm, even though it was late afternoon, and there was this low hum from cicadas somewhere in the vines. Walking through the farm at Saint Anna Winery in Naxos, I kept thinking how different real earth smells compared to what you get from a bottle back home. There was this tiny 9th-century chapel tucked between the grapevines—whitewashed and slightly crooked—and I’ll admit I paused longer than everyone else on those old stone steps. Just felt like time slowed down there.

The winery itself looked almost like someone’s house—blue shutters, faded paint, that kind of thing. Inside, our host poured six (maybe more?) types of their own wine into mismatched glasses while telling stories about how his grandfather started making wine here almost a hundred years ago. He showed us some modern equipment but also pointed out these battered old tools from decades past. I tried to repeat the name of one cheese we had with the wine—Li laughed when I tried to say it in Greek; probably butchered it. The tomatoes were still warm from the sun and tasted somehow sweeter than usual.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed on a wine tour in Naxos—maybe it was the way everyone just lingered around the table or how nobody rushed us through tastings. At one point, someone asked about harvest season and our guide just grinned and said, “Come back in September if you want to see chaos.” I still think about that view from outside the chapel: rows of vines rolling down toward the sea, quiet except for distant goat bells. So yeah, if you’re after something polished or fancy, this isn’t that—but honestly? That’s why I’d do it again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tour and tasting at Saint Anna

• Walk through olive garden and vineyard
• Visit aromatic plants area
• See 9th century chapel
• Tour traditional Cycladic winery
• Learn wine making process
• Taste six types of wine
• Enjoy local snacks with wine

Top questions

How many wines are included in the tasting at Saint Anna Winery?

The tasting includes 6 to 9 different kinds of wine produced at Saint Anna Winery.

Is transportation included in this Naxos wine tour?

No transportation is mentioned as included; public transport options are nearby.

Are snacks provided during the wine tasting?

Yes, local snacks like tomatoes, olives, regional cheeses and breadsticks are served with the wine tasting.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible at Saint Anna Winery.

What time does wine tasting start outside summer months?

Tastings run at 5pm from September to May.

Do children or infants join this winery tour?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Will we visit any historical sites during this Naxos winery tour?

Yes, you’ll visit a 9th-century chapel located on the winery grounds.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Saint Anna’s olive groves and vineyards in Naxos, entry to their historic 9th-century chapel, an introduction to traditional winemaking methods with both old tools and modern equipment on display, plus a generous tasting of 6–9 wines paired with fresh vegetables from their own farm—think sun-warmed tomatoes and regional cheeses—all shared around a table with your hosts before you head off into that lingering island evening.