Santorini: Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings

Santorini’s wine is shaped by volcanic soil, dry weather, and unusual local grapes, not by the postcard views alone. This 4.5-hour tour gives you a useful look at that world, beginning with three local beers at Santorini Brewing Company, then moving through three very different wineries.

I like the mix of beer and wine, especially if not everyone in your group is a wine fan. I also like the easy hotel pickup, comfortable van, local cheese and snacks, and guides such as Billy, John, Panos, and Yiannis, who add island history along the way. The main drawback is the price: at $200 per person, it is not a casual tasting stop, and the four-drink visits can feel full if you prefer a slow, quiet afternoon.

Key things to know before booking

• Santorini Brewing Company comes first: You taste three local beers before the wine begins, a smart start for mixed groups.
• Art Space offers a historic setting: The winery in Exo Gonia includes underground cellars and an art gallery atmosphere.
• Estate Argyros shows modern wine production: You learn how traditional methods, including mule-plowed fields and grape byproducts, still matter.
• At least 12 wines are included: Tastings come with cheese, dry bread, and other Greek snacks.
• The final winery can change: The last stop may be Anhydrous, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos, depending on availability.
• The driver-guide matters: Billy, John, Panos, and Yiannis have all led tours, and the best part of the experience often comes from their island knowledge and personal attention.

Why Santorini wine tastes different

You do not come to this tour simply to drink familiar white wine in a sunny setting. Santorini has its own grape varieties and growing conditions, and the volcanic ground gives the island’s wine industry a clear sense of place.

The island is dry and exposed, so local wine production has developed in ways that may look very different from vineyards elsewhere. At Estate Argyros, for example, the traditional approach includes using mules to plow the fields and returning grape byproducts to the soil. Those details help explain why the tour is worth doing as a cultural activity, not just a tasting session.

Your guide fills in the gaps between stops. Billy is frequently praised for explaining both wine and Santorini’s past, while John, Panos, and Yiannis have also been singled out for friendly service, local facts, and help with photographs. The guide is not just there to steer the van. You get a running introduction to the island as you move from one producer to the next.

The Santorini Brewing Company starts things lightly

The first stop is Santorini Brewing Company, reached after about 30 minutes in the van. You taste three local beers here, giving the tour a relaxed opening before the more formal wine tastings begin.

This is especially useful if you are traveling with someone who prefers beer. The brewery adds variety and keeps the day from becoming four similar wine presentations in a row. The brewery owners are described as friendly and chatty, and the stop has a different feel from the wineries. You may also find merchandise for sale, and the setting includes a comfortable bathroom stop, a small but useful detail during a half-day outing.

The tour information names three beers as part of the package. One past departure included only two beers, with an extra sightseeing stop instead, so you should treat the exact tasting lineup as subject to the day’s arrangements. The brewery stop is still an important part of the experience, but do not book this solely for a precise beer list.

Art Space in Exo Gonia combines wine and art

A short five-minute drive brings you to Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia. You spend about an hour here, tasting wine and seeing the underground cellars.

Art Space is presented as one of Greece’s best wineries, but its appeal is not only the wine. The site has an art gallery feel, and local art is part of the visit. The setting feels more intimate and historic than a polished tasting room, giving you a sense of how wine production fits into Santorini’s older buildings and village life.

This is a good stop for anyone who wants more than glasses lined up on a table. At Art Space, you can expect an explanation of the cellar and the winemaking process, followed by a tasting paired with small local foods. Dry bread, cheese, vegetables, dips, or similar Greek snacks may appear across the day, though the exact pairing can vary by winery.

The main limitation is that this is a group tour, so the pace may not match your ideal. You have about an hour here, which is enough for an introduction and tasting, but not a long private visit with every question answered in detail.

Estate Argyros gives the tour its technical center

After another short drive, the tour reaches Estate Argyros for roughly 75 minutes. This is the longest stop, and it gives the day a more polished, modern contrast to Art Space.

Estate Argyros follows modern presentation methods while keeping older farming practices in view. You learn about the estate’s approach to the soil, including the use of grape leftovers to enrich it and mules to plow the fields. Those examples make the winemaking process easier to understand because they connect the bottle to the work done in the fields.

The tasting here is a chance to compare wines with a different setting and style. You can expect several pours from Santorini, along with cheese and other light food. The food matters more than it may seem. It gives you something to eat between tastings, and it shows how local wine is meant to work with salty, simple foods rather than being treated as a stand-alone product.

The estate is also a useful stop for people who like to compare small and larger operations. The tour includes wineries with different sizes, designs, and methods, so you are not seeing one repeated version of Santorini wine.

The last tasting may be at Anhydrous or another winery

The final listed stop is Anhydrous Cellar Door, with about 75 minutes for tasting. Depending on availability, the final winery may instead be Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos.

That variation is important. You should expect the same general structure, wine tasting, local snacks, and an explanation from winery staff, but not one fixed final setting on every departure. Anhydrous provides a modern and comfortable finish, while the alternative wineries may offer a different view of Santorini production and architecture.

Venetsanos, Hatzidakis, and Artemis Karamolegos are not described in enough detail to promise a specific layout or tasting style. The useful point is that the final stop is selected according to availability, so the tour remains flexible. If one particular winery is essential to your plans, this is not the best way to guarantee entry.

The three winery visits work well as a set because each has its own mood. Art Space feels older and more connected to art and underground cellars. Estate Argyros presents a cleaner, more modern side of the industry. The last stop gives you one more set of wines and a final chance to compare styles before the drive back.

The van and pickup system save you from a difficult day

Pickup and drop-off are included from many parts of Santorini, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Kamari, Perissa, Emporio, Karterados, Vourvoulos, and other listed areas.

The route includes several van transfers, but most are short once the group reaches the first stop. The longest listed rides are about 30 minutes at the start and again at the end. That is useful because you can taste without needing a designated driver or trying to connect several rural wineries by public transport.

The transport has received especially strong marks for cleanliness and comfort. Several departures used a Mercedes Sprinter or a similarly comfortable vehicle, with air conditioning and water available. On a hot Santorini afternoon, that is not a minor luxury. It lets you cool down between stops and keeps the day from becoming tiring.

Small groups are available, and some departures become private when few people book. You should not assume a private tour, but a quiet-season visit may give you a more personal experience. In that case, the guide can spend more time answering questions, taking photos, or adjusting the pace.

How the guides shape the experience

The strongest part of this tour is often the person in the front seat. Billy is repeatedly described as warm, patient, funny, and deeply interested in Santorini and its wines. John has been praised for island knowledge, photography help, comfortable driving, and thoughtful touches such as suggesting dinner spots or scenic places for sunset photos.

Panos is another name to watch for. He has been described as an entertaining host who helps a group relax, while Yiannis has helped organize separate bookings so friends could join the same departure. These details matter because a tasting tour can feel stiff if the guide treats it like a script.

The winery staff also add to the day. At Art Space, Panos has been praised for making the visit lively, while staff at the other wineries explain the wines and local methods. You get more than a driver dropping you at four doors, but the exact guide and winery staff cannot be guaranteed.

Is $200 good value?

At $200 per person, this tour costs more than visiting one winery independently. The value comes from the number of stops and the transport. You receive three beers, at least 12 wines, cheese pairings, local snacks, pickup and drop-off, a live English-speaking guide, and several hours of driving between venues.

If you hired transport separately, arranged winery reservations, and paid for each tasting, the total could add up quickly. You would also need to manage the driving after multiple pours. The tour removes that hassle and gives you a planned progression from brewery to historic winery to modern estate and final tasting room.

Still, the price will feel high if you are only interested in a few favorite wines. One past departure noted that an individual winery’s tasting could cost far less than the full tour. The better comparison is not the cost per glass. It is the cost of a guided half-day with transport, food, four drink-focused stops, and island context.

Who should book this Santorini wine tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to understand why Santorini wine is unusual and you would rather not arrange transport yourself. It suits couples, small groups, and mixed beer-and-wine parties particularly well.

It is also a good first or second-day activity because the guide can point out places to eat and offer ideas for the rest of your stay. The scenic stops and photo help are useful extras, though this is not primarily a sunset tour or a sightseeing drive.

You should think twice if you dislike structured tastings, need a wheelchair-accessible activity, or want to spend a long time at one winery. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve while postponing payment. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Final verdict: a strong choice for wine curious visitors

I recommend this tour for anyone who wants a broad introduction to Santorini’s wine culture without driving. The brewery keeps the mood varied, Art Space brings atmosphere and art, Estate Argyros explains farming and production, and the final winery adds another point of comparison.

The experience is not cheap, and the final winery and exact guide may change. But the included food, transport, number of tastings, and repeated praise for guides such as Billy, John, Panos, and Yiannis make the $200 easier to justify. Book it if you value context, convenience, and variety. Skip it if you want a single quiet winery visit at the lowest possible price.

FAQ

How long does the Santorini wine and brewery tour last?

The tour lasts about 4.5 hours, including transport between the brewery, three winery stops, and your pickup and drop-off.

How many drinks are included?

The package includes tastings of at least 12 wines and three local beers. The exact beer lineup may vary on some departures.

Which wineries does the tour visit?

The listed route includes Art Space Winery, Estate Argyros, and Anhydrous Cellar Door. Depending on availability, the final stop may instead be Hatzidakis Winery, Venetsanos Winery, or Artemis Karamolegos Winery.

Is food included with the tastings?

Yes. Cheese pairing is included, and the tastings may also come with dry bread and other local Greek snacks.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available from many Santorini locations, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Kamari, Perissa, Emporio, Karterados, Vourvoulos, and others listed at booking.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users. Pets and smoking are not allowed.