REVIEW · SANTORINI
Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset
Book on Viator →Operated by Santorini Day Tours · Bookable on Viator
Three wineries. Twelve tastings. One volcanic island with serious grape stories. This Santorini Wine Adventure is built for easy, high-value wine time: hotel pickup, cellars to tour, and a guided run-through of how Santorini’s distinctive grapes become wines you actually taste and remember.
I especially like the 12-wine tasting spread across three estates. You’re not just sipping one or two highlights—you’re comparing styles, including Santorini staples like assyrtiko and the island’s famous vinsanto, with snack pairings along the way. The other win for me is the pace and attention: it’s a small group (limited to 10, with a maximum of 15), so your guide can explain what’s happening in the vineyards and cellar without turning it into a cattle line.
One thing to consider: you can’t pick which two wineries you’ll visit (besides Santo Winery, which is always included). The operator decides based on availability, sometimes close to departure, so if you have one must-visit estate, you’ll want to keep expectations flexible.
Key points to know before you go
- Santo Winery is included every time, and the sunset option brings you there for full sunset views.
- You’ll taste 12 different wines, with assyrtiko and vinsanto specifically mentioned as part of the set.
- The other two wineries can swap (from a listed set), based on slots and last-minute availability.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off happen, but cars can’t reach every slope-side spot in Santorini.
- Sunset option includes alfresco tasting plus tapas, and the guide will take free sunset photos.
In This Review
- Volcanic wine lessons on the ride to the estates
- Pickup, timing, and why Santorini slopes affect the whole day
- Estate Argyros: where the first tastings feel grounded
- Santo Wines: the always-included stop and the sunset anchor
- Domaine Sigalas (or another swap): how to think about the third stop
- Your tasting lineup: 12 wines, mostly whites, with snacks that matter
- Guides matter here: what you’ll get from leaders like Elena and Angelo
- Price and value: why $181.39 can work for wine lovers
- Who should book this wine tour, and who should skip it
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Is Santo Winery included on every tour?
- How many wines will I taste?
- Is pickup included?
- How long is the tour?
- What’s included with the wine tastings?
- What’s the difference between the day tour and the sunset tour?
- Do I need to bring a ticket to the meeting point?
- Can I choose which wineries I visit besides Santo?
- Is this tour for adults only?
- Where do cruise passengers meet for this tour?
Volcanic wine lessons on the ride to the estates
Santorini wine isn’t made on flat farmland. It’s made on volcanic soils, and that shows up in the style you’ll be tasting. You’ll hear how the island’s mineral-rich ground can contribute to wines that feel more mineral and vivid than you might expect from a small island.
One detail I think you’ll enjoy hearing in plain language is how grapes are grown in baskets set close to the soil. The goal is moisture retention—keeping the vines healthier in Santorini’s conditions. Even if you’re not a wine nerd, it helps you connect the dots between vineyard technique and what you taste later in the glass.
When you reach the tasting rooms, those stories get practical. The tasting lineup is mainly whites (because that’s the regional focus), and the experience is built to help you compare how different estates interpret the island’s terroir. Reds and dessert wine show up too, so you’re not locked into only white flavors.
Pickup, timing, and why Santorini slopes affect the whole day
This tour is set up for hotel convenience. Pickup is offered from all Santorini hotels and Airbnb stays, and if your exact address isn’t on the pickup list, you’ll be picked up from a nearby accessible spot (with a short walk if needed).
Santorini is hilly, and some areas simply can’t be reached by vehicle. That’s why pickup happens to the closest accessible location. So if you’re staying somewhere steep, plan for a little walking—nothing dramatic, just enough to get everyone onto the same transport schedule.
The tour also moves promptly once you meet up. The FAQ notes you should arrive about 5 minutes early at the pickup time because departure is immediate. For me, that matters because it keeps the experience tight enough to fit three wineries plus tastings within an around 4-hour window.
If you’re on a cruise, logistics are more complicated. The tour’s cruise-friendly meeting point is in Fira Town in front of HERTZ (on the main road, about 5 minutes’ walk from the top of the cable car). You’d tender to Fira and then take a cable car up to reach that point. The operator notes delays can happen and the tour might start or end later than advertised—so this is one of those “plan for extra time” situations.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Santorini.
Estate Argyros: where the first tastings feel grounded
Depending on your exact routing, you may start at Estate Argyros (it’s listed as Stop 1 in the example order). If it’s your first stop, it’s a smart place to begin because it sets the scene: estate grounds, cellar or production areas, and a guided explanation of how Santorini wine is made from harvest to maturation.
What you’re looking for here isn’t just what tastes good—it’s how the guide teaches you to taste. You’ll walk through the estate setting and then sample multiple wines. In past experiences with this tour style, guides lean into comparisons, which is especially helpful during the first tastings because you haven’t built your “flavor map” yet.
A possible drawback with any first winery stop: you can feel a little rushed if your arrival timing was off. That’s not a problem with the wine itself—it’s a timing issue. If your hotel pickup runs late, the day can feel like it’s always catching up.
Santo Wines: the always-included stop and the sunset anchor
No matter which other two wineries you get, Santo Winery is included on every tour. That matters because it gives the operator a consistent “anchor” destination and lets you plan around the part that people talk about most.
If you choose the sunset option, Santo Wines is also your payoff. You’ll arrive at the last estate in time to watch the sun set. The tasting happens on an open terrace, and you’ll have tapas with views of the caldera islands and the Aegean Sea. The operator specifically mentions you’ll watch the full sunset and then leave about 15 minutes after sunset.
The viewing setup is also a thoughtful detail: the company offers prime tables automatically for everyone, with no better/worse arrangement and no need to scramble for a spot. Guides also take pictures for free during the sunset moment, which is a nice practical bonus.
If you’re doing this in high season, sunset at Santorini can feel like a spectator sport—crowds, confusion, and people hunting for angles. This tour’s approach is simpler: it groups you, gets you to the terrace at the right time, and keeps the focus on wine plus the view.
One small consideration: sunset means you’re tying your day to the evening schedule. If you’re exhausted from a lot of walking earlier in the day, this tour can still be great, but it helps to pace yourself.
Domaine Sigalas (or another swap): how to think about the third stop
In the listed example route, Stop 3 is Domaine Sigalas. In reality, the tour can swap the two non-Santo wineries. The operator chooses from a set that includes: Estate Argyros, Gavalas, Gaia, Hatzidakis, Anhydrous, and Sigalas.
So instead of chasing a specific name, think about what style you want to learn. Some estates lean more traditional, while others bring a different interpretation of Santorini grapes and cellar technique. In past experiences with this tour format, one favorite stop for many wine lovers has been Gavalas Winery, described as more traditional, while Santo Wines is praised for scenic views and the tasting vibe.
Here’s the practical way to use this flexibility:
- If you love learning about winemaking methods and you enjoy comparing estates, the swap won’t hurt you.
- If you have a single estate you’ve dreamed about, keep your expectations flexible because you can’t choose which two wineries besides Santo you’ll visit.
Your tasting lineup: 12 wines, mostly whites, with snacks that matter
The headline is 12 different wines. That’s a lot for four hours, and it’s the main reason this tour is good value. You’ll taste through multiple varieties and styles, and the experience is designed so you can compare them rather than tasting everything in a blur.
The tour also notes that the wines served are mainly whites, which matches how Santorini’s best-known grapes are used. Assyrtiko is specifically mentioned, and vinsanto is part of the tastings too. Red wine will be served as well as dessert wine, so you won’t end up with a tasting that feels one-note.
Food is handled as snack-pairing, not a full lunch. You’ll have local bites like olives, bread, and cheese during winery tastings, and in the sunset version you’ll also get a plate of tapas. The info also says snacks include things like cheese and cold-cuts served alongside tastings at the wineries.
My practical advice: treat this like it replaces most of a meal. Don’t plan a heavy lunch right before. And don’t assume you’ll want dinner immediately after—people often feel happily full, since the tastings and snack pairings stack up.
If you’re tasting for the long run, slow down. Sip, pause, and ask questions when something feels different. That’s where the guide’s role becomes more than background information.
Guides matter here: what you’ll get from leaders like Elena and Angelo
A wine tour can turn into “here’s a glass” with very little explanation. This one is built to be guided, and the reviews you provided have a pattern: guides are often funny, personable, and direct with explanations.
Names that come up include Elena and Angelo (plus others like Marina, Kristina, Yiannis/Giannis, Kostis, and Mary). Even though you can’t know which guide you’ll get, the consistent theme is that you’ll get more than tasting-room scripts. Guides are described as sharing insights into the winemaking process, winery history, and the pairings, and some even assist with photos.
So here’s how to get the most out of your guide, even if your wine comfort level is low:
- Ask what to notice in assyrtiko versus dessert wine.
- Ask why volcanic soils change the way wine tastes.
- Ask for a quick pairing explanation: what the snack is doing for the wine.
It turns the experience from drinking into learning without turning it into a classroom.
Price and value: why $181.39 can work for wine lovers
At $181.39 per person (about a 4-hour outing), you’re paying for more than “three tastings.” You’re paying for:
- transport with hotel pickup and drop-off,
- guided vineyard and cellar-style visits,
- a structured tasting set of 12 wines,
- snack pairings at each stop,
- and, if you upgrade, a sunset terrace tasting plus tapas and free photo help.
Santorini is expensive. The cost here makes sense when you see what’s included. If you tried to do three separate wineries on your own, you’d likely spend time sorting schedules, paying for transport, and negotiating tasting costs estate by estate. This tour packages it and keeps the day moving.
That said, it’s not a full meal experience. If you go in hungry and then try to eat a big dinner afterward, you might feel uncomfortable. Go in ready to snack, then decide on dinner after you see how you feel.
Who should book this wine tour, and who should skip it
Book it if you want:
- a small-group wine experience with real guidance,
- a straightforward way to taste across Santorini’s styles,
- and an optional sunset upgrade that includes tapas and the full sunset view from Santo Wines.
Skip or think twice if:
- you don’t drink wine (it’s an adults-only tour; the minimum age is 18),
- you’re looking for a long, multi-hour sit-down lunch-and-dinner day,
- or you’re the type who needs one exact winery name guaranteed (because only Santo Winery is fixed; the other two are operator-chosen based on availability).
If your main goal is the sunset view, the sunset option is the cleanest choice—Santo Wines is positioned as the final stop, and the tour explicitly builds the terrace tasting around the moment the sun drops.
Should you book it?
Yes, I’d book it if you want the Santorini wine experience to feel easy and guided, with enough tastings to learn something and enough food to keep you comfortable. The biggest reason is the structure: three estates, 12 tastings, small-group pace, and a real sunset setup if you choose that version.
Only hesitate if your heart is set on specific non-Santo wineries, or if you’re sensitive to alcohol. In those cases, you might prefer a more flexible winery plan where you control the stops. For everyone else who wants a well-run wine day in Santorini, this is a strong bet.
FAQ
Is Santo Winery included on every tour?
Yes. Santo Winery is included on every tour, and the sunrise vs morning choice doesn’t remove that stop.
How many wines will I taste?
You’ll sample 12 different wines, including vinsanto and assyrtiko.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is offered from Santorini hotels and Airbnb stays. If your exact place isn’t on the pickup list, you’ll be picked up from a nearby accessible location.
How long is the tour?
The tour is approximately 4 hours.
What’s included with the wine tastings?
You’ll have snack pairings such as olives, bread, cheese, and other local bites like cold-cuts and cheese. The sunset option also includes tapas.
What’s the difference between the day tour and the sunset tour?
The sunset tour visits your last winery stop (Santo Wines) in time for sunset. You’ll enjoy alfresco tasting and tapas with sunset views, watch the full sunset, and leave about 15 minutes afterward.
Do I need to bring a ticket to the meeting point?
You’ll use a mobile ticket.
Can I choose which wineries I visit besides Santo?
No. Besides Santo Winery, the other two wineries are chosen by the operator based on availability.
Is this tour for adults only?
Yes. The minimum age is 18, so it’s an adults-only tour.
Where do cruise passengers meet for this tour?
The tour picks up cruise guests at McDonalds in Fira Town, not at the cruise port. You’ll need to tender from the ship and take a cable car up to Fira Town to reach the meeting point.
