Santorini’s wine scene has more than one side. This 4-hour tasting tour hits two landmark wineries plus a mountaintop church, all with transport built in. You’ll taste island favorites like Assyrtiko and Mavrotragano, with a small group feel so the guide can actually answer your questions.

What I like most is how much wine you get for the money: you’ll sample 12 types at Estate Argyros and then 8 more at Art Space, with cheese and local snacks at both stops. I also like the pacing. You’re not rushed from one booth to another. It’s a real cellar-style visit, with private tours and time to slow down and compare styles.

One consideration: it’s a short, packed window. By the time you finish two winery tastings plus the Profitis Ilias church stop, you’ll feel it. And in slower seasons, winery hours can change, so your guide may adjust the day on the fly.

Key things I’d mark on your Santorini map

• Two winery cellars, one day: Estate Argyros first, then Art Space for another structured tasting
• 20 wine samples total: 12 pours at the first stop, 8 at the second
• Classic Santorini varieties: whites like Assyrtiko and Athiri, reds like Mavrotragano and Mandilaria
• Small-group attention: maximum of 8 people at each winery stop, with an overall cap around 12
• Round-trip transportation: pickup means you can taste without playing taxi roulette
• Profitis Ilias on Mount Profitis Ilias: a culture break above Santorini’s rooftops

Why Santorini wine tastes the way it does

Santorini winemaking isn’t just about grapes. It’s about the island itself: dry air, intense sun, and vines that have learned to work with rocky ground. That’s why Santorini’s best-known whites can taste so crisp, even when the winery also serves richer, more layered styles.

On this tour, the lineup is designed to help you understand that range. You’re not only drinking the “headline” wine. You’re tasting multiple varieties from Santorini plus a few from broader Greece, which makes it easier to notice what feels specifically island-made versus what feels more general Greek.

I also like that you get the story in the room where it’s made. A cellar tour isn’t just scenery. It sets you up to understand why the wines taste the way they do, and it turns the tasting into something more than sampling.

Getting to the wineries: pickup that keeps the day stress-free

You’ll get round-trip transportation included, which matters more than it sounds. Santorini can be a patchwork of roads and viewpoints, and winery visits aren’t usually the most convenient on public transit alone. With pickup handled, you’re free to focus on the tasting rather than timing buses or worrying about how you’ll get back.

Group size is kept intentionally small at the winery stops, so the day feels like a guided visit, not a cattle call. The tour also uses mobile tickets, so you’re not juggling printed vouchers.

Practical tip: since you’ll be tasting a lot in a few hours, keep water nearby and pace yourself between pours. It’s not a marathon, but it’s definitely not a “one glass and wander” kind of afternoon.

Estate Argyros: a private cellar tour and 12 wines with cheese

Stop 1 is Estate Argyros, one of Santorini’s well-known wineries. You start with a private cellar tour, then move straight into a wine tasting that includes 12 different types. The tasting comes with an assortment of cheese and local snacks, which is the right move for two reasons: it helps you reset your palate, and it gives you something to anchor the flavors.

What makes this stop especially good value is the mix. You’re sampling both whites and reds that connect to the island’s reputation. In other words, you’re not only drinking for pleasure—you’re building a mental map of how Santorini’s styles can swing from crisp and aromatic to deeper, more structured reds.

Also, the tour’s small-group format helps here. When someone asks why a wine tastes a certain way, you’re more likely to get an explanation instead of a quick answer while the group moves on.

A small drawback to plan for: cellars can be cool and sometimes dim. Wear layers you can manage, especially if you’re starting in warmer daytime weather.

Art Space: private cellar tours, 8 more wines, and a second palate reset

Stop 2 is Art Space, with its own private cellar tour and then a tasting of 8 wines. Like the first stop, the tasting includes cheese and local snacks, so you get another built-in break between sips.

This second winery matters because it forces you to compare. The first tasting teaches you the baseline style of Santorini. The second gives you a chance to notice how a different estate’s choices shape the final glass.

From the reviews, the vibe people describe is thoughtful and relaxed: guides named Klara and Vassia are praised for being friendly and helpful, and Christos is specifically noted for passion plus interesting anecdotes—and even for taking photos so you don’t have to keep handing your camera back and forth.

I’d treat this stop like your “comparison session.” After your first 12 pours, you’ll be more aware of what you actually like. You may even spot a favorite that you can later order confidently in a restaurant.

Profitis Ilias: the monastery break on the mountaintop

Then the tour shifts from wine into sights. Stop 3 is a church/monastery visit to Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elias), one of the oldest on the island. It sits on the summit of Mount Profitis Ilias on Santorini’s southeast side, at the island’s highest settlement.

This is a good rhythm change. Wine takes the senses in one direction; a mountaintop church does the opposite. It’s also a nice way to break up your day so you’re not constantly in tasting mode.

What to expect in practical terms: it’s a mountaintop stop, so plan for some uphill walking and a bit of time on-site. Wear shoes you’re comfortable in, and if it’s windy, bring a light layer. Admission for this stop is free, which helps keep the day feeling like good value.

If you prefer your touring to include a bit of culture alongside food and drink, this church stop is a solid fit.

The wine lineup: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Mavrotragano, Mandilaria

This tour is built around Santorini’s recognizable grapes. Here’s what you can expect to taste:

• Assyrtiko (white): Santorini’s signature grape, often crisp and mineral-leaning
• Athiri (white): a different white profile that helps you compare styles
• Mavrotragano (red): one of the island’s darker, more structured reds
• Mandilaria (red): another red variety that adds depth to the tasting

The tasting also includes wines beyond Santorini from across Greece, which is a smart educational add-on. If you only taste island bottles, it’s easy to assume every Greek wine shares the same “rules.” With a broader mix in the glass, you’ll understand where Santorini is distinctive—and where it overlaps.

I also like that the tour doesn’t treat the tasting like a guessing game. Instead, it’s guided, with time to understand what you’re tasting and why it’s made that way.

Pro tip: choose one white and one red as your anchor preferences during the day. By the time you get to your favorite pour, you’ll know what to order later without second-guessing.

The 4-hour flow: two tastings plus one culture stop

The schedule runs about 4 hours total. That’s not a long day, so the tour is structured: winetasting energy first, then an easy cultural cap.

Typical flow:

• First winery: private cellar tour, then 12 wines with snacks (about an hour)
• Second winery: private cellar tour, then 8 wines with snacks (about an hour)
• Church stop: Profitis Ilias on the mountaintop (about an hour)

You’ll have transport between locations, so you’re not spending time fighting for direction. Still, it’s packed enough that I’d avoid stacking this with another heavy activity right before or right after.

If you’re planning dinner the same night, give yourself time to digest. Wine tends to make you hungry, but it also makes you tired in a good way. A calm dinner plan works best.

Who this tour suits best in Santorini

This is a great pick if you want:

• A guided wine education without turning the day into a classroom
• A small group feel with time to ask questions and compare wines
• Transport help, because tastings plus driving don’t mix well
• A day that mixes food and wine with a recognizable cultural stop

It’s especially good for people who have limited time on the island. In one afternoon, you get multiple tastings, two winery environments, and a mountaintop church.

If you already know you want a slow, independent winery day with minimal structure, you might prefer a more flexible format. But if you want direction, structure, and a clear “best of Santorini wine” feeling, this does the job.

Is it worth $240.30 per person?

For Santorini, the price isn’t cheap, but it’s not random either. What you’re paying for is a bundle:

• Two winery visits with private cellar tours
• 12 tastings at Estate Argyros plus 8 tastings at Art Space
• Cheese and local snacks at both stops
• Admission tickets included for the winery parts
• Round-trip transportation so you can taste worry-free

So when you think about it per tasting and per guided stop, you’re not just buying glasses of wine. You’re buying guided time in wineries, plus the logistics that make the day work smoothly.

The strongest value signal from reviews is how consistently people connect the quality to the guide and the experience feel—especially in off-season situations where a guide may adapt the day. That kind of flexibility is hard to measure on paper, but it’s the difference between a good tour and a memorable one.

My take: if wine is a real priority for your trip, this is a strong value for a short, well-supported itinerary.

Should you book The Art of Wine on Santorini?

Book it if you want a focused day that checks all the boxes: serious wine tasting, guided explanations, and less transportation stress. The small-group format and the number of samples make it feel worthwhile even if you’re not a hardcore wine nerd.

Skip it (or consider alternatives) if you hate structured schedules or you’re looking for a long, unhurried winery crawl at your own pace. This tour is efficient by design.

If you’re the type who likes to compare whites and reds, then stand back and pick favorites for the rest of your trip, this is the kind of tour that pays off fast.

FAQ

What’s included in the wine tasting on this tour?

You’ll visit two winery stops, each with a private cellar tour and a wine tasting. At the first winery you taste 12 types of wine, and at the second you taste 8 types, with cheese and local snacks included.

How long is the tour and how many stops are there?

The tour runs about 4 hours and includes two winery stops for tastings plus a stop at the Profitis Ilias monastery/church.

Does the tour include transportation?

Yes. Pickup is offered and you’ll have round-trip transportation to the wineries and between stops.

How big is the group?

It’s designed as a small-group experience with a maximum of eight people at the winery stops, and the overall tour has a maximum around 12 travelers.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation.