Wine tasting in Santorini
Santorini is one of the best-known wine islands in Greece, and the wines here come from volcanic soil. The local grapes include Assyrtiko, Athiri and the sun-dried sweet wine Vinsanto. Most visitors taste on a guided wine road that visits three wineries, or pair one winery stop with a walk through Oia.
Places to go
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Exclusive Santorini, Oia and Winery Tour
Private Guided Profitis Elias Monastery, Oia and Winery Tour
What to expect
A wine day on Santorini usually means a guided wine road that visits three wineries in about four hours. You taste the island's white wines, including Assyrtiko and Athiri, and the sweet sun-dried Vinsanto. The volcanic soil gives the wines a character you will not find on the mainland.
Some tours pair a winery stop with a walk through Oia, the village at the north end of the island. Other tours add a meal or a photo stop. Guided days are a relaxed way to see the wine side of the island, and they suit couples and first-time visitors who want a guide to do the planning.
Where to go
- Santorini Wine Roads. A guided wine road that visits three wineries, with volcanic wine tasting along the way. A trip that goes here: Exclusive Santorini, Oia and Winery Tour, 4 Hours 30 minutes, $139 a person
- Oia. A village walk at the north end of the island, paired with volcanic wine tasting on some tours. At the north end of the island.
Getting there
Ask your tour operator how they collect guests. The cable car from the old port takes about three minutes to reach Fira, which is the island's hub for buses and walks.
When to go
The season runs from March to January. April and May are pleasant, with low rain and wildflowers, which suits a day out on foot as well as the tastings. Summer is very hot, and many businesses close during the hottest hours around midday.
Good to know
- Wear comfortable shoes. Island paths are cobbled and stepped, so heels are a poor choice.
- Plan for a full morning or afternoon, since the wine road runs about four hours.
- Check with your tour where it will meet you, in Fira or at the old port, given the steps and cable car.
Questions
Is wine tasting in Santorini done on your own or on a tour?
Most visitors book a guided tour that visits three wineries in about four hours, sometimes with a meal or a village walk.
What wines will I taste in Santorini?
Expect Assyrtiko and Athiri white wines, grown in volcanic soil. Vinsanto, a sun-dried sweet passito wine, is also a regular part of the tasting.
