Rhodes: Wine Tasting, Cooking Class & 10-Course Greek Lunch

Summary

Wine aromas home-cooked plates laughter in a Rhodes vineyard

You’ll taste family-made wines among Rhodes vineyards, learn to cook traditional Greek dishes side by side with locals, then share a generous 10-course lunch at a long table where laughter comes easy. Expect honest flavors, real stories, and maybe even new friends by dessert.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what a real Greek lunch feels like when you’re not just sitting at the table but actually helping make it? That’s how our day started out in Rhodes — not really knowing what to expect, honestly. Jason met us at the gate with this easy smile, and I caught a whiff of rosemary as we walked through the vineyard. The air was warm, kind of sticky, and you could hear cicadas buzzing like they were trying to outdo each other. Jason talked about his family’s winery — Anastasia and Nikos waved from the distillery window — and showed us these gnarled old vines that have probably seen more summers than I have birthdays.

I’m not much of a wine expert (I usually just pick bottles by the label), but tasting their wines with Jason explaining every step made it feel different. He poured this one white that smelled almost like peaches and wildflowers — I tried to guess the flavors, got it all wrong, and he laughed but didn’t make me feel dumb. We learned about how they make tsipouro too (honestly, it’s strong stuff), and he said their family is the only one on Rhodes allowed to distill it officially. There was something about seeing his hands stained from grapes that made me trust every word.

Then came the cooking class — which was chaos in the best way. One of Rhodes’ chefs (I think her name was Maria?) showed us how to wrap vine leaves without tearing them. Mine looked like tiny green burritos gone wrong; she just grinned and fixed them up. The kitchen smelled like lemon zest and olive oil, my fingers sticky from kneading dough for something I can’t pronounce (soutzoukakia? still no idea). By lunchtime we’d made this spread of ten dishes — everything from grilled eggplant to little cheese pies — and honestly, I lost count after plate five. Wine kept coming. Someone started singing. It got loud fast.

I left full (maybe tipsy), sun on my face, thinking about how food tastes different when you’ve helped make it with people who care so much about every step. If you’re looking for a Rhodes wine tour that’s more than just sipping and nodding politely, this is something else entirely.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Winery tour, cooking class, and lunch

• Travel to winery
• Tour vineyard and distillery
• Learn fermentation and distillation
• Participate in wine tasting
• Join cooking lesson
• Prepare traditional Rhodes dishes
• Enjoy 10 meal course lunch with wine
• Return to ship or hotel

Top questions

How long does the Rhodes wine & food tour last?

The experience includes travel time plus vineyard tour, wine tasting, cooking class, and lunch; expect several hours total.

Is hotel pickup included in this Rhodes wine tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel or ship is included in your booking.

Will I get to participate in the cooking class?

Yes, guests are invited to join the cooking lesson and help prepare traditional dishes together.

Are there vegetarian options during the 10 meal course lunch?

The menu features several traditional Greek dishes; if you have dietary needs contact ahead for details.

Who leads the wine tasting at the Rhodes winery?

The tasting is guided by Jason or another member of the certified Anastasia family team.

Is unlimited wine really included during lunch?

Yes, local wines are served generously throughout your meal.

How do I know my return time for ship or hotel?

Your return is guaranteed on time; exact pickup details are sent via email before your tour date.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or ship in Rhodes by an English-speaking driver before heading out for a guided vineyard walk and distillery visit led by certified local winemakers. You’ll enjoy an immersive wine tasting session followed by a hands-on Greek cooking class with one of Rhodes’ chefs. The experience ends around a long table with ten courses of traditional island dishes paired with unlimited local wines before returning safely to your accommodation or ship on schedule.