Santorini: Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings

Wine tells Santorini’s story. This half-day tour links a local brewery with three very different wineries, giving you a useful look at the island’s volcanic soil, unusual grapevines, and stubborn old-school farming methods. I especially like the mix of beer and wine, which keeps the afternoon varied, and the small-group transport, which saves you from navigating Santorini’s crowded, winding roads yourself. The main consideration is the price: at $200 per person, you are paying for transport, tastings, guides, and convenience rather than simply a few glasses of wine.

The experience runs about four and a half hours and includes pickup and drop-off from many parts of the island. Guides such as Billy, Panos, Nick, Yiannis, John, and Nikolaas have earned especially warm praise for their humor, patience, island knowledge, and willingness to take photos or adjust the pace. Just remember that the exact final winery can change with availability, and one visit reported two beers instead of the promised three.

The quick take: four stops, volcanic grapes, and a polished ride

• Start with Santorini beer: Taste three local beers at Santorini Brewing Company, also known for its Crazy Donkey labels.
• See three distinct wine settings: Art Space, Estate Argyros, and a final winery such as Anhydrous offer different approaches to production and presentation.
• Taste the island’s signature grapes: The volcanic ground and traditional vine-training methods help explain why Santorini wines taste unlike familiar wines from many other regions.
• Expect food at the table: Local cheese, dry bread, vegetables, dips, and other Greek snacks help soften the tasting schedule.
• Ride in comfort: Pickup is available from 16 locations, and the air-conditioned van or Mercedes Sprinter means nobody in your group has to be the designated driver.
• Best for curious drinkers: You do not need to be a wine expert, but you should enjoy a slow afternoon of tasting, listening, and comparing.

Why Santorini wine is worth your afternoon

Santorini is not simply a pretty Greek island with vineyards added for decoration. Its wine tradition is tied to the island’s volcanic ground, strong winds, limited rainfall, and long farming practice. The tour explains how those conditions affect the grapes and the finished wine.

You also learn about Santorini’s own grape species and the local way of growing vines. The information provided for Estate Argyros points to traditional methods still in use, including mules plowing the fields and grape byproducts returned to the soil. That detail matters because it moves the visit beyond a polished tasting room. You begin to see wine as part of island life, not just a product poured into a glass.

The vineyards themselves may look different from those you know at home. One review specifically noted the contrast with Australian vines, and that is a useful expectation. Santorini’s plants are shaped by local conditions, so the vineyard views are interesting even if you are not deeply interested in wine.

The tour also gives you a chance to compare small, artistic, traditional, and modern operations in a single afternoon. That range is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience over visiting one winery on your own.

The 30-minute ride and why pickup matters

The tour offers pickup and drop-off from Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Perissa, Kamari, Emporio, Karterádos, Vourvoulos, and other listed locations. Santorini’s roads can be busy, and winery locations are spread around the island, so this arrangement is more than a small convenience.

The drive between stops is part of the value. You can taste without worrying about renting a car, finding a taxi after several pours, or asking one person in your group to skip the wine. The vehicle has been praised for being clean, comfortable, and well air-conditioned, with some groups riding in a Mercedes Sprinter.

Group size can vary. Private or small-group departures are available, and some bookings have turned into private tours when demand was light. That can make the outing feel relaxed and personal. It is not guaranteed, though, so book a private option if having the vehicle and guide to yourself matters.

The guides often add more than simple transfers. Billy has been praised for mixing wine information with stories about Santorini, while John and Yiannis have been singled out for taking photos, offering island suggestions, and helping groups coordinate their plans. Panos and Nick have also received strong praise for keeping the mood friendly and the visits moving at a comfortable pace.

Stop one: Santorini Brewing Company

Beginning with beer is a smart choice. You start with a casual tasting before settling into the longer winery visits, and this gives beer drinkers a reason to choose the tour even if wine is not their main interest.

The brewery tasting includes three local beers, with Crazy Donkey pale ale among the names associated with the stop. You can expect a different feel from the wineries, with a more informal introduction to local drink production. The owners have been praised for being friendly and willing to chat, and the brewery also has merchandise available.

One practical note is worth keeping in mind: the advertised tasting is three beers, but one group received two and a bonus stop elsewhere. This appears to be an occasional variation, not the standard plan, but it shows why you should treat the route as a planned sequence rather than a rigid contract.

The brewery also makes the tour friendlier for mixed groups. If your companion prefers beer, this first stop gives them a proper local tasting rather than an afterthought while you focus on wine.

Stop two: Art Space in Exo Gonia

Art Space Winery, in the village of Exo Gonia, brings art, local character, and wine together. It has been described as one of Greece’s best wineries, and the visit includes time in underground cellars.

This is a particularly good stop for people who want a sense of place. Instead of moving straight from a bus into a modern tasting room, you get the feel of an older, more personal operation. The art gallery adds another layer, and one of the guides, Panos, has been praised for making the visit lively and fun. Another guide, Esmeralda, was remembered for explaining the history and art connected with the property.

The wine tasting lasts about an hour. You can expect the staff to explain the wines and the way they are made, with local cheese and other light food to match. The snacks matter here. A little cheese, dry bread, vegetables, or dip gives you something to eat between pours and makes the tasting feel like part of Greek dining rather than a series of samples.

The limitation is that Art Space may appeal more to people who like atmosphere and story than to anyone seeking a large, highly polished estate. That is not a weakness, but it is a different kind of visit. You are seeing a place with character, not simply comparing bottles in a showroom.

Stop three: Estate Argyros and traditional methods

Estate Argyros provides a contrast. The property has a more modern feel while still holding onto older production methods. That difference helps the tour achieve its purpose: you are not visiting three interchangeable wineries.

The tasting here lasts about 75 minutes. The longer stop allows more time to compare wines, ask questions, and understand how a major local estate approaches its work. The setting also gives you another view of Santorini’s vineyards and the island’s farming traditions.

The use of mules to plow the fields is one of the tour’s memorable details. So is the practice of using grape byproducts to enrich the soil. These details show how production connects to the island’s limited resources. Santorini wine is shaped not only by the grape in the glass but also by how growers work with the ground around them.

This is likely to be one of the more polished visits, with a modern aesthetic and a broader sense of organized production. That can be appealing if you like seeing how a respected estate presents its wines. At the same time, it may feel less intimate than a smaller cellar, which is exactly why the contrast works well.

Food pairings are included, and several groups have described the combinations as generous enough to make the tastings feel substantial. Do not treat the tour as lunch, but you should not arrive expecting to drink on an empty stomach either.

Stop four: Anhydrous or another final winery

The final stop is listed as Anhydrous Cellar Door, with the possibility of Anhydrous, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos depending on availability. This flexibility is important. You get a third winery, but you may not get the exact same setting shown in every description.

When Anhydrous is used, the tasting lasts about 75 minutes. Its cellar-door format gives the afternoon a comfortable final chapter, with more time for conversation and comparison. The exact atmosphere depends on the winery operating that day, but the goal remains the same: finish with another set of local wines and another perspective on Santorini production.

Venetsanos, Hatzidakis, and Artemis Karamolegos are not interchangeable names on a schedule. Each has its own character, and a change may alter the scenery and presentation. If a particular winery is essential to your plans, confirm the route before booking. If your main goal is to taste across several producers, the substitution should be less important.

The final stop can also be the point where the alcohol catches up with you. Four venues and at least 12 wines make for a serious tasting session, even when the pours are modest. Use the food pairings, take your time, and tell the guide if you need a slower pace.

What the $200 price really covers

At $200 per person, this is not a budget wine outing. The value comes from the bundle: hotel pickup and drop-off, private or small-group transport, an English-speaking guide, at least 12 wines, three local beers, cheese pairings, and access to four drink-focused stops.

If you tried to arrange three wineries and a brewery independently, you would need to coordinate transport, appointments, tasting fees, and a safe ride back. Santorini’s roads and distances make that effort less appealing, especially for a couple or small group that wants to drink at every stop.

The price feels strongest when you receive a private or very small-group departure. A personal guide can answer more questions, wait while you take photos, and adjust the pace. Several groups also received extra attention, such as sunset photo stops or help with restaurant suggestions, but those additions should be viewed as guide-dependent kindness, not guaranteed inclusions.

The price feels less attractive if you are only mildly interested in wine, dislike long tastings, or would be satisfied with one winery. Beer fans may find the mix more worthwhile, while serious wine drinkers will appreciate the chance to compare at least 12 bottles and several production styles.

The guides make the biggest difference

The strongest feature of this tour is not a particular bottle. It is the human side of the day.

Billy appears often in the strongest praise, with people appreciating his humor, patience, wine knowledge, and island stories. Nick has been praised for sharing useful local information and staying flexible. Panos is known for a warm manner and a good sense of humor, while John and Yiannis have been especially helpful with photos, timing, and personal requests.

You may not receive one of those specific guides, but the pattern is clear: the guide can turn a scheduled tasting into a relaxed afternoon. A good guide explains without lecturing, keeps the vehicle moving, and gives you enough time at each stop.

The guides also help bridge the gap between wine expert and beginner. You do not need to know the difference between grape varieties before you arrive. Ask questions, compare what you taste, and let the staff explain the local methods in plain terms.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to taste widely without planning the transport yourself. It suits couples, small groups, honeymooners, and mixed beer-and-wine groups particularly well.

It also works for visitors who want more than caldera views. The tour shows you villages, production spaces, vineyards, underground cellars, and local drink culture. Some guides may add island history or photo stops, making the afternoon useful even for companions who are less enthusiastic about wine.

You should reconsider it if you are pregnant, have heart problems, use a wheelchair, or need a fully accessible experience, since the activity is not listed as suitable for those conditions. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

This is also not the best choice for someone who wants a quick tasting. Four and a half hours is a substantial block of your day, and the tasting count is high. Plan a quiet evening afterward rather than booking a demanding activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Santorini schedule is still shifting, but the main decision is simpler: do you want a structured afternoon of local drink, food, and conversation?

Should you book the Santorini brewery and winery tour?

Yes, if you value variety, comfortable transport, and a guide who can connect the wine to Santorini itself. The brewery opening, Art Space’s cellar and art, Estate Argyros’s blend of modern presentation and traditional farming, and the changing final winery give the afternoon enough contrast to justify the time.

I would book it early in your stay if you want ideas for restaurants, villages, and other wineries. I would also choose a private departure if the $200 price fits your budget and you care about having more control over the pace.

Skip it if you are not interested in alcohol or prefer to spend the afternoon at one quiet winery. For everyone else, this is one of the more efficient ways to understand why Santorini wine is so distinctive, while still leaving the driving to someone else.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 4.5 hours, including transportation between the brewery and wineries.

How many drinks are included?

The tour includes tastings of at least 12 different wines and three local beers. One reported visit included two beers instead, so the exact brewery tasting may occasionally vary.

Which wineries are included?

The planned route includes Art Space Winery and Estate Argyros, followed by Anhydrous Winery or another available winery such as Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed locations across Santorini, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Megalochori, Akrotiri, Perissa, and Kamari.

Is food included with the tastings?

Yes. Cheese pairing is included, and the tastings may also be served with dry bread, vegetables, dips, or other Greek delicacies.

Is this a private tour?

Private and small-group options are available. The exact group arrangement depends on the booking and departure.

Who should not book this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users. Pets and smoking are not allowed.