Santorini Private Wine Tour at Sunset with Hotel Pickup

Summary

Santorini sunset wine tasting tour with vineyard walks and photos

You’ll taste Santorini’s unique wines in both historic cellars and sleek modern wineries, stroll through volcanic vineyards with a local guide, snack on regional cheeses and olives, and watch sunset spill over the caldera cliffs — all with easy hotel pickup and someone else handling your camera for once.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I noticed was the way the air changed when we stepped out of the van — a little salty, a little earthy, like old stone and sun-warmed vines. Our guide, Maria, greeted us with this easy smile and a “Kalimera!” that sounded like she actually meant it. I’d expected the usual tourist shuffle but instead we ducked into this cave-like winery that’s been around for ages (Maria said 150 years — wild). The walls were cool to the touch and smelled faintly of musty barrels and something sweet I couldn’t quite place. We wandered through their wine museum, which was honestly more interesting than I thought it’d be. There’s an old grape press you can still see stains on. I tried to imagine what this place looked like before Instagram existed.

After that, we drove across Santorini’s patchwork hills to a modern winery — all glass and clean lines, perched above these stubborn little vines growing in volcanic soil. Maria explained how they train the grapes low to the ground because of the wind (which made sense once it whipped my hat off). We walked between rows of gnarly vines; I bent down and touched one — rougher than I expected. The tasting here felt relaxed, not stuffy at all. We tried white, red, even a dessert wine that tasted almost like honey but sharper. They brought out plates with local cheese, tomato paste (so good), olives, breadsticks… I probably ate more than my share.

The last stop was right on the edge of the caldera cliffs. People say Santorini sunsets are famous but seeing it while sipping wine just hits different — there’s this hush that falls over everyone as the sky goes orange then pink then kind of bruised purple. Maria offered to take our photo (“Trust me, you’ll want proof,” she joked), so now there’s this picture of us laughing with windblown hair and glasses raised against that ridiculous view. Honestly? I still think about that moment when things get loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini wine tour and sunset tasting

• Pick up from hotel, port, or airport
• Visit traditional winery and wine museum
• Taste wines at traditional winery
• Tour modern winery and vineyards
• Taste wines with local snacks
• Enjoy sunset wine tasting at Santo Wines
• Guide takes photos of sunset
• Drop off at hotel

Top questions

How long is the Santorini private wine tour?

The tour lasts several hours including visits to three wineries plus sunset viewing.

Is hotel pickup included in this Santorini wine tour?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included.

Are food or snacks provided during the wine tastings?

Yes, local cheeses, tomato paste, breadsticks, olives, capers, and olive oil are served for pairing.

Will we visit both traditional and modern wineries?

Yes, you’ll visit one traditional winery with a museum plus two modern wineries.

Can infants or small children join this Santorini wine tour?

Yes, infants can join; prams/strollers and infant seats are available if needed.

Are photos taken during the sunset part of the tour?

Your guide will take photos using your own equipment during sunset at the final winery.

Is there walking involved in vineyards or wineries?

You’ll walk among vineyards at one winery for a close-up look at grape growing methods.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with pickup from your hotel (or port or airport), entry fees at each winery including a guided walk through an old wine museum and modern cellars, generous tastings of white, red, rosé and dessert wines paired with local snacks like cheese and olives, plus plenty of photos taken by your guide before you’re dropped off back at your door in comfort.