Santorini: Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings

Santorini’s wine is shaped by its volcanic soil, fierce sun, and unusual basket-trained vines, and this tour gives you a useful look at all three. You start with local beer, then move through three very different wineries, tasting at least 12 wines with cheese and Greek snacks along the way.

I like the mix of places: Art Space feels historic and artistic, while Estate Argyros brings a cleaner modern style without abandoning old farming methods. I also like the transport, since a comfortable van and a guide such as Billy, John, Panos, or Nick let you taste freely without worrying about driving.

The main drawback is the pace. Four stops in 4.5 hours means plenty of tasting, but not much unstructured time. The final winery may change, and one booking received two beers instead of three, so I would confirm the exact stops and tasting lineup before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Taste across the island: The standard program includes at least 12 wines and three local beers.
• See three contrasting wineries: Art Space, Estate Argyros, and a final stop such as Anhydrous, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos.
• Learn about Assyrtiko and local vines: The volcanic ground and traditional vine shapes are central to the story.
• Expect food with the glasses: Cheese, dry bread, vegetables, dips, and other Greek bites help make the tasting more substantial.
• Ride in comfort: Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from 16 Santorini locations, with highly praised vans and drivers.
• Plan for a full afternoon: This is a tasting tour, not a vineyard hike, and the schedule moves at a steady pace.

Why Santorini wine is worth your afternoon

I would choose this tour for the context as much as for the alcohol. Santorini has its own grape varieties and farming traditions, shaped by volcanic ground and dry island weather. The vines are trained in low, basket-like forms, a practical response to the strong wind and exposed conditions.

You will hear how local producers work with those conditions rather than trying to force familiar mainland methods onto the island. The guides also explain how vineyards use grape byproducts to enrich the soil, and how some traditional farms still use mules to plow the fields.

That makes each glass more meaningful. You are not simply sampling a white wine, then another white wine. You are tasting products tied to a particular place, then comparing how different producers handle the same island traditions.

The tour is conducted in English, and the guide is part driver, part local interpreter. Billy is often praised for his wine and island knowledge, while John and Nick are noted for comfortable transport and useful advice beyond the tasting rooms. Panos is another name associated with a warm, humorous style.

The Santorini Brewing Company starts things casually

The first stop is the Santorini Brewing Company, often known for its Crazy Donkey beers. The brewery offers three local beer tastings as the advertised program, giving you a relaxed opening before the more formal wine sessions begin.

This is a smart order. Beer fans get an early highlight, and people who are less confident about wine can settle into the day with something familiar. The brewery has also been appreciated for its friendly owners, merchandise, and easygoing atmosphere.

You may taste several different local beers, including pale ale styles, though the precise lineup can vary. One booking received two beers rather than three and was given an extra photo stop, so it is worth checking the serving plan if the beer portion matters most to you.

The brewery visit lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a tasting and introduction, but not a long production tour. Think of it as a short local stop that adds range to the day, not a full brewery study.

Art Space Winery brings history and art together

A short ride takes you to Art Space Winery in Exo Gonia, one of the most distinctive stops on the route. The winery is known for its underground cellars and art gallery, giving the visit a character that differs sharply from a polished modern tasting room.

The cellar matters because it shows how wine production has used Santorini’s old spaces. Instead of only standing at a bar with a flight of glasses, you get a sense of the setting in which wine was stored and made.

The tasting here lasts about an hour. Panos and other local hosts have been praised for making the stop lively and clear, while the staff explain the winery’s methods and the wines in the glass. The tasting is paired with local cheese, dry bread, and other small bites.

I like this stop for its sense of place. You are not only buying a view or a stylish room. You are seeing an older side of Santorini winemaking, with art and cellar space woven into the visit.

Keep your expectations realistic, though. Art Space is not presented as a long vineyard walk or a large agricultural estate. It is a focused cellar, art, and tasting visit, which suits you if you prefer culture and atmosphere to extensive time outdoors.

Estate Argyros shows the modern side of old methods

Estate Argyros follows after another short transfer. The estate offers a more modern setting, but its winemaking remains connected to traditional practice. That contrast is one of the strongest reasons to book a tour that visits several producers instead of only one.

Here you can learn how a contemporary winery works while still respecting island customs. The use of mules in the fields and grape byproducts for soil improvement gives the visit a practical farming angle, not just a polished sales pitch.

The tasting lasts about 75 minutes, making this one of the more substantial stops. You will have time to try several wines, listen to the estate’s explanation, and compare its approach with Art Space.

Cheese and other Greek snacks help keep the session from feeling like a rapid sequence of small pours. Depending on the day, the food may include bread, vegetables, dips, or similar local items. The pairing is useful because it lets you see how the wines work with food rather than judging them in isolation.

This stop may appeal most to you if you want production details. Art Space gives you atmosphere and older spaces, while Estate Argyros explains how traditional methods can fit within a modern winery.

The final winery changes, so stay flexible

The last tasting is listed at Anhydrous Cellar Door, but the available venue may instead be Hatzidakis Winery, Venetsanos Winery, or Artemis Karamolegos Winery. This is important: the experience is built around three wineries, but the final name is not guaranteed.

Anhydrous is scheduled for about 75 minutes and provides a relaxed finish after the earlier visits. Its cellar door setting gives the final tasting a different feel from the historic Art Space stop and the modern Estate Argyros estate.

The alternative wineries also reflect the range of Santorini producers. Venetsanos, Hatzidakis, and Artemis Karamolegos each bring their own methods and setting, though the exact details of your visit depend on availability.

I would ask the operator which final winery is planned when you book, especially if you have already visited one of these places. Still, the changing venue can work in your favor. You get a wider view of the island’s wine culture rather than a rigid package that always visits the same rooms.

By the end, the advertised wine total is at least 12 different wines. That is a serious amount of tasting for a half-day, particularly when paired with beer at the start. Eat a proper meal beforehand, take the small food pairings seriously, and pace yourself.

The transport makes the tasting practical

Pickup and drop-off are available from 16 locations, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Akrotiri, Kamari, Perissa, Megalochori, Emporio, Karterádos, and several others.

The route includes about 30 minutes of driving before the brewery, short five-minute transfers between the first stops, and a longer 15-minute ride toward the final winery. The return journey can take about 30 minutes. Those rides break up the tastings and give you a chance to talk with the guide.

The vehicle is usually described as clean, comfortable, and well air-conditioned. Several bookings mention Mercedes vans or luxury transport, which matters in Santorini’s hot months. You are not left trying to connect wineries by public bus, and nobody in your group has to stay sober to drive.

The guide can also add value between stops. Billy, John, Nick, Yiannis, and Panos have been praised for sharing island history, suggesting places to eat, taking photos, and adjusting the pace when possible. Some private bookings included an extra viewpoint or a sunset photo stop, but those additions are not guaranteed.

What the $200 price really covers

At $200 per person, this is not a cheap tasting. The value comes from the number of venues, the transport, the food pairings, and the guide’s role.

Buying separate tastings can look less expensive at first, especially if you only want four or five glasses. But arranging three wineries and a brewery requires transport, timing, and a sober driver. This tour handles those pieces and gives you access to at least 12 wines and three beers in one half-day.

The price makes more sense for you if you want to learn about Santorini’s wine traditions rather than simply sample a single bottle. It also works well for couples and small groups, since private departures sometimes happen when the group is not full.

There is one fair caution. A few tasting rooms may charge modest fees for a smaller flight when visited independently, so the package is not automatically the cheapest way to taste wine. You are paying for convenience, transport, variety, and interpretation. If your only goal is to drink the lowest-cost glasses, this is not the right buy.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to wine drinkers who want a broad introduction to Santorini in one afternoon. It is also a good match for beer fans, couples celebrating a special occasion, and anyone who does not want to rent a car.

The tour suits you if you enjoy explanations about farming, grape varieties, cellar design, and local history. It is less suitable if you want a slow day at one winery, long vineyard walks, or a purely scenic drive.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant people, people with heart problems, or wheelchair users. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Since this is a tasting-heavy program, you should also think carefully about your comfort with alcohol and the fairly full schedule.

Private and small-group options are available. A small group can make the tasting more personal, while a private outing gives the guide more room to answer questions and adjust the pace. Still, the exact level of flexibility depends on the day and the available vehicle.

Practical tips for making the day better

Have something to eat before pickup. Cheese, bread, and Greek snacks are included, but they are tasting accompaniments rather than a full lunch.

Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. You may walk through cellars and winery spaces, though this is not marketed as a strenuous walking tour. Santorini’s heat makes the air-conditioned vehicle especially welcome in summer.

Ask about the final winery and beer lineup in advance. The standard plan includes three beers and a visit to Anhydrous or another available winery, but the exact combination can change.

If you are celebrating a birthday or honeymoon, tell the guide. John and other guides have helped with photos, viewpoints, and small personal touches, though special additions should not be treated as guaranteed parts of the package.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Check the available departure time before booking, since pickup timing varies.

Should you book the Santorini brewery and winery tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized introduction to Santorini wine, with a brewery stop to keep the day from feeling too formal. The strongest features are the contrast between Art Space and Estate Argyros, the variety of wines, the food pairings, and guides who often add useful island advice.

Skip it if you dislike scheduled tastings, want a full meal, or prefer to spend several hours at one estate. At $200, the tour earns its price through transport and variety rather than bargain drinking.

For most visitors who have only one afternoon for wine, I think it is a sensible choice. You get the island’s unusual vines, traditional farming ideas, three winery settings, local beer, and a safe ride back to your hotel, all without having to plan the route yourself.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

How many drinks are included?

The experience includes tastings of at least 12 different wines and three local beers. The beer selection and final winery may vary with availability.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is available from 16 Santorini locations, including Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Pyrgos Kallistis, Akrotiri, Kamari, Perissa, Megalochori, Emporio, and Karterádos.

Which brewery does the tour visit?

The tour starts at the Santorini Brewing Company, also associated with Crazy Donkey beers.

Which wineries are included?

The planned wineries are Art Space in Exo Gonia, Estate Argyros, and a final stop that may be Anhydrous, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, or Artemis Karamolegos, depending on availability.

Is food included?

Yes. Tastings include cheese pairings and local snacks such as dry bread and other Greek delicacies.

Is the tour available as a private experience?

Yes. Private and small-group options are available, depending on the selected booking.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

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