Wine in Santorini has its own rhythm. This small-group tour mixes hotel pickup with 12 wines plus 3 craft beers plus pairings, then strings together three very different wineries and one brewery. I like the way it turns Santorini wine into a real, do-and-taste lesson (not just a stop-and-photos parade), and I like that there are snacks to keep you comfortable while you sample widely; the main drawback is the schedule is tight, so the tastings can feel a bit packed.

You start in the afternoon (3:00 pm) and stay out about 4 to 5 hours, with your guide handling the driving. That means you can slow down and focus on what matters: aromas, acidity, salt-air flavors, and how Assyrtiko and other local styles taste when you compare them back-to-back.

One more thing I really value here: the tour doesn’t treat wine as a mystery box. You’ll get winery tours and behind-the-scenes context, including the story behind Anhydrous Winery and its winemaker’s approach shaped by ancient techniques and modern clarity.

Key things to know before you go

• 12 wine tastings and 3 beer tastings with pairings: enough variety to find your favorites without needing to plan a route.
• Three wineries plus one craft brewery in one afternoon: a practical way to see more than one side of Santorini wine.
• Time-boxed stops: the pours are generous, but the tasting rooms can feel crowded and tours are fairly brief.
• Assyrtiko-forward storytelling at Anhydrous Winery: you’ll hear how the island’s strong personality shows up in the glass.
• Relaxed, guide-driven logistics: no renting a car, and you avoid Santorini’s transport uncertainty.
• Snacks included during the experience: helps you enjoy the tastings without your energy crashing.

Santorini wine and beer in one 4–5 hour loop

This is the kind of tour I recommend to friends who want an authentic Santorini experience without spending the whole day on transportation. You get a full tasting circuit that covers both wine culture and craft beer culture, which matters because the island’s drinking scene isn’t only about wine views.

Starting at 3:00 pm also fits how most people travel. You can do a slow morning in Fira or Oia, then come into this tour when the island is starting to cool down. And because it runs about 4 to 5 hours, you still have time afterward for dinner, sunset, or a final stroll through your favorite town.

The big idea: your guide compresses logistics so you can compare flavors properly. You’ll taste lots of different wines and beers close together in time, which makes it easier to notice what changes from one winery’s style to another’s.

What the small-group setup does for your tasting experience

This tour is built for small-group comfort. It’s capped at eight for a more personal experience, and it runs with a maximum of 10 travelers. Either way, that size is what turns a wine tasting into a conversation.

You’ll typically have time to ask basic questions like:

• How the winery approaches its grapes
• What to look for in aroma and mouthfeel
• How local soils and climate affect the wine style

And because you’re not driving yourself, you’re free to enjoy the beer and wine without the mental load of routes and parking. Several guides are known for staying upbeat and story-led, and it shows in how the stops feel: you get the route, plus the context.

Estate Argyros: starting with a classic Santorini winery tour

Your first stop is Estate Argyros, where you’ll spend about an hour. Expect a combination of wine tasting and a winery tour, with admission included.

Why this stop matters: it sets the baseline. If you’re new to Santorini wine, this is where you get your bearings fast. You’ll have multiple pours and explanations that help you understand what’s distinctive on the island—especially the way the island’s conditions push wines toward crispness and focus.

What to watch for during this hour:

• Use the first tasting to decide what you like (crisp and bright vs. softer and round)
• Pay attention to acidity and salt-like salinity notes, because Santorini wines often read that way when you compare one winery to the next
• Don’t over-commit emotionally to your first favorite; your best comparison will come later at Anhydrous and Art Space

Potential drawback here is simple: like most structured tastings, you may not have a huge amount of roaming time. The focus is on tasting and learning, not wandering.

Santorini Brewing Company: quick beer samples with real variety

Next comes Santorini Brewing Company, around 15 minutes for a tasting of local beers including Red, Yellow, and Crazy Donkey.

This is a short stop, but it’s a smart one. Wine tours can be heavy on the alcohol and heavy on grape-based flavors. A craft beer break gives your palate a change of pace. Even in a brief tasting, that shift helps you reset and come back to wine tasting with fresh attention.

Also, the beer list is playful. “Crazy Donkey” alone tells you the brewery isn’t trying to sound overly serious. You’re tasting different styles, not just repeating the same flavor theme with different labels.

Quick tip: since you’re moving straight onward, keep your pace steady. The beer is part of the paired tasting experience, so treat it as your palate’s reset button, not a stand-alone drinking session.

Art Space: wine tasting in a cave-like art setting

Your third stop is Art Space, with about 40 minutes for wine tasting and a winery tour. This is one of those places where the setting changes the mood instantly.

From what you’ll experience on-site, Art Space tends to feel special because of its art-filled environment, including cave-like spaces and an atmosphere that’s less about formal ceremony and more about sensory experience. It’s the kind of stop where you might find yourself looking around as much as you’re sipping.

Why you’ll likely enjoy this stop:

• The tour component helps you connect the wine with place, not just the bottle label
• The cave/art setting makes the tasting feel like an event, not a rushed counter
• The pace here often feels easier than the more straightforward tasting rooms

One consideration: not every winery setup is spacious. Even with a small group, tasting rooms can be tight, and Art Space is still part of the same afternoon circuit. You’ll get enough time to taste and learn, but don’t expect slow hanging-out time after the tasting ends.

Anhydrous Winery: the Assyrtiko story behind the glass

The final stop is Anhydrous Winery, also about an hour, with a tour and tastings that include insight from Avantis Estate’s winemaker. You’ll hear about Mr. Apostolos Mountrichas, who fell in love with Santorini’s strong wine identity and started his project in 2012. He later completed the project in 2021, founding Anhydrous Winery.

This stop is especially valuable if you want the why behind the wine style. You’re not only tasting; you’re being guided through a philosophy: experimentation with ancient wine-making techniques paired with modern goals for purity and primary varietal character.

Why this matters for your tasting:

• It gives you a lens for what to notice in the glass (clarity, structure, and how the varietal voice stays present)
• It helps you understand why Santorini’s wines often taste so distinct from mainland Greek styles
• It makes your last tasting feel purposeful rather than just another pour

And there’s a practical upside: by the time you reach Anhydrous, you’ve built comparisons. Your favorite notes from Estate Argyros and Art Space now become reference points, so the final stop tends to land harder.

How the tastings add up: 12 wines plus 3 beers without losing your palate

This tour is designed around quantity. You’re tasting 12 best wines and 3 beers, with pairings and admission tickets included across the stops. That’s a lot, so the tour’s real skill is pacing and variety.

Here’s how it tends to feel in practice:

• Early stops establish your baseline
• Middle stops add mood and contrast (beer and art setting)
• The final winery gives you the story and the last comparison

You’ll also get snacks during the experience. In wine tours, snacks don’t just prevent hunger; they support better tasting accuracy. You’ll be able to focus on flavor notes instead of chasing the buzz of an empty stomach.

But there’s a reality check too. Some tasting rooms can be crowded and table-style, which can make elbows bump and make it harder to linger. The tour is still a “try and move” format. If you want lots of free time to stroll around after tastings, you might feel slightly rushed.

Leaving the driving to your guide: the hidden value

The most underrated part of a wine tour is what it saves you from. Santorini roads and timing can be tricky, and finding reliable transport after drinks is another stress pile you don’t need.

With pickup offered and your driver taking over the route, you can focus on the experience. You’re not managing traffic, parking, or whether buses are running on time. You’re just showing up, tasting, and learning.

That’s why the guide role matters so much. Names that show up often for this tour include Billy, John, Giannis, Nick, Nicholas, Peros, and Elena. You’re not guaranteed a specific person, but the pattern is consistent: the best guides here mix island storytelling with winery know-how and keep the mood light.

Price and value: what $184.38 buys you

At $184.38 per person, this isn’t a budget-only activity. But it often feels fair because the tour bundles the things that cost money and time when you do them alone.

You’re getting:

• Structured access across three wineries and one craft brewery
• Included admission tickets for each stop
• A tasting volume that would be hard to replicate without paying for multiple guided experiences
• Pickup offered, which adds real value on an island

If you’re comparing “DIY and hope for the best,” the guide-driven logistics are a big part of what you’re paying for. If you’re planning to visit wineries anyway, the tastings plus admissions make the price easier to justify.

Where you might question value: if you’re the type who wants one or two tastings only and lots of independent exploration afterward. This tour is for people who want a full afternoon of samples and stories.

Who should book this Santorini wine and beer tour

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want a small-group introduction to Santorini wine culture
• Like the idea of pairing wine with craft beer rather than only grape tastings
• Enjoy comparing multiple wineries in one sitting
• Prefer tours with pickup so you can drink without thinking about logistics

It’s also a good choice for couples and friends who want an experience that feels social but not chaotic. Several couples describe it as romantic and relaxing, with guides who keep things fun and not overly stiff.

One thing to plan around: space and timing at tasting rooms

The biggest potential disappointment isn’t about the wines. It’s about the format.

Because there are many tastings in a limited amount of time, some tasting moments happen in tighter spaces. You may end up seated at a table where it feels crowded, and you might get briefer tours than you’d like if you love lingering.

Also, you may not have lots of extra time to wander around each property after tastings. The tour aims to keep the schedule moving so everyone hits every stop.

My practical advice: go in with the right expectation. Treat this as a tasting and learning circuit. If you want to buy bottles, ask during your tastings or note what you love—then you can handle shopping later on your own time.

Should you book this Santorini wine tour?

Book it if you want a confident, all-in-one afternoon that covers wine and beer in a small group. The combination of 12 wines + 3 beers, winery tours, and a guide who handles the driving is exactly what makes this kind of experience worth it in Santorini.

Skip it (or think twice) if you hate crowded tasting rooms or you strongly prefer long, slow visits where you can roam freely. This tour is time-boxed by design. You’ll enjoy it most if you’re there to taste, compare, and leave with a clearer sense of what Santorini flavors you want to seek out again at dinner or back in your hotel.

FAQ

What time does the Santorini Wine Tour start?

The start time is 3:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 4 to 5 hours.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered.

How many wineries and a brewery do you visit?

You visit three wineries and one craft brewery.

What’s included in the tastings?

You’ll taste 12 best wines and 3 beers, with pairings included, and admission tickets are included at the stops.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.