Santorini: Wine Tasting Tour with 12 Wines & Sunset Views

Summary

Volcanic vineyards, crisp whites and Santorini sunset tastings

You’ll taste Santorini’s signature wines straight from volcanic vineyards, guided by locals who know every twist of vine and story behind each glass. Expect bold whites, sweet dessert pours, plenty of snacks (not quite dinner), and an Aegean sunset that might surprise you with its quiet beauty.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the first sip — that Assyrtiko was sharp and cold, almost salty, like the sea breeze sneaking in through the open doors at Estate Argyros. Our guide, Maria, handed me a chunk of local cheese and grinned when I tried to guess the grape (I got it wrong — twice). The vineyard itself looked more like a moonscape than anything green; those basket-shaped vines hugging the black earth. You could smell the dust warming up in the sun, and somewhere behind us someone was laughing too loud — maybe from their third glass already.

We’d piled into a Mercedes van that morning, dodging mopeds and blue-domed churches as we crossed Santorini. At each stop, there was always someone from the winery waiting — sleeves rolled up, hands stained just a little purple. I liked that none of it felt rehearsed. At Gavalas Winery (I think it was Gavalas? The names blur after twelve wines), they let us wander between barrels while Maria explained how the volcanic soil messes with the roots in a good way. She said something about “minerality” and winked when she caught my blank look.

The last stop was Santo Winery right before sunset. People say you can’t beat that view but honestly, I didn’t expect it to hit so hard — all those white houses stacked above the caldera, light turning everything gold for about five minutes. We had our final glasses lined up on a plank: one sweet Vinsanto that tasted like dried figs, plus more cheese and olives than I could finish. There was this quiet moment where nobody spoke; even Maria just watched the horizon for a bit. I still think about that silence sometimes — not sure why.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Santorini wine tour with tastings and views

• Visit Estate Argyros winery
• Guided tour and taste 4 wines
• Visit second winery (Gaia, Gavalas, or Anhydrous)
• Guided tour and taste 4 wines
• Visit Santo Winery
• Taste 4 wines with snacks
• Enjoy scenic island views

Top questions

How many wineries are visited on this Santorini wine tour?

The tour visits three different wineries across Santorini.

Is hotel pickup included in the wine tasting tour?

Yes, hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off are included for most guests.

What types of wine are tasted during the tour?

You’ll taste 12 wines—mainly crisp whites like Assyrtiko, plus some reds and dessert wine.

Are snacks or meals provided during the tour?

The tour includes cheese and local snacks at each winery but not a full lunch or dinner.

Can cruise passengers join this Santorini wine tour?

Cruise passengers can join if their timing works; pickup is at McDonald's in Fira Town—not at the port.

Is this wine tasting tour suitable for children?

No, only adults 18+ can participate due to alcohol consumption rules.

How long does the Santorini wine tasting last?

The half-day tour typically lasts around 4–5 hours depending on traffic and group pace.

Does the tour include sunset views over Santorini?

If you choose the afternoon option, yes—the last winery offers prime sunset views over the caldera.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or Airbnb pickup by air-conditioned Mercedes vehicle (or meeting point in Fira Town for cruise guests), visits to three different Santorini wineries with guided cellar tours, tastings of 12 local wines paired with cheese and snacks, bottled water throughout, plus an expert local guide who keeps things relaxed without rushing anyone along.