The Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting in Santorini

Imagine this: You are sipping delicious wine that you can’t find anywhere else in the world under a picturesque canopy overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You are relaxed. You are happy. And you are in paradise. You would be none other than wine tasting in Santorini!

Santorini is one of the most sought after tourist destinations, for good reason! Santorini is truly a slice of heaven on earth. From the gorgeous white-washed buildings to the black sand beaches, Santorini is like no place on earth.

I was lucky enough to recently spend 4 days in Santorini during a large island-hopping tour, and Santorini was hands down my favorite destination on this trip.

I don’t have anyway else to describe it other than I felt like I truly understood what paradise really meant after getting off the ferry and stepping foot on Santorini for the first time.

Everything about Santorini is truly perfection. The food is incredibly authentic with a huge variety of Mediterranean food. I had one of the best Carbonara dishes in my entire life—and I have been to Italy! The scenery is picturesque with full panorama views of the sea.

There are so many things to do, from lounging at a beach club to strolling through art museums to hiking a volcano! And, the island grows vineyards with unique grape varietals to create some of the best wine in the world!

This guide will help you plan your excursion for a perfect day wine tasting in Santorini! From the best wineries in Santorini to how to get around the island, your trip will be impeccably planned for you to create lasting memories.

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Wine Tasting Tours in Santorini

A wine tasting tour is the easiest and most convenient way to explore the vineyards in Santorini. As there is not reliable public transportation in Santorini, the only ways to visit the wineries in through a tour or by private vehicle.

A wine tasting tour is the best option for wine tasting in Santorini for those who will not be renting a car during their vacation, or for those who will not have a designated driver!

The only drawback of booking a wine tasting tour is that you will not have control of the wineries you go to, and they tend to be more expensive than a self-guided tour. But, for anyone who wants to experience the vineyards without having to plan, this is the best option for you!

There are many tours available depending on your wishes and your budget. I recommend looking at Get Your Guide for more information on tours available to find one within your budget on the desired travel days!

Self-guided Wine Tours of Santorini

For those who want to explore the wine region on your own, you are in luck! With a little planning, you can easily coordinate your own self-guided tour of the Santorini wineries.

With a self-guided tour, you will have much more flexibility of which wineries you visit and the amount of time you spend at each winery. With a little coordination, this way of doing a wine tour will allow you to plan the perfect day!

Note: Please be responsible and use a designated driver when planning a day of wine tasting!

How to get around Santorini for Wine Tasting

Although there is public transportation in the form of buses in Santorini, this method of travel is not very reliable. The timetables are often not updated, and it will not take you on direct routes to the wineries. Taking the bus is the best way to get from major towns, such as Oia to Fira.

For a wine tasting outing, the best way to travel is by car. The two options available for traveling by car are by private vehicle or by taxi.

If you already are renting a car on the island to get around, this will be the best method of travel for a wine tasting day. You will be able to easily get from winery to winery without any hassle. Rental cars in Santorini are very cheap! Typical prices for renting a car are $15-30 per day depending on when in the season you are visiting.

If you are not planning on renting a care during your visit to Santorini, I recommend using taxis to get from winery to winery. Santorini uses Uber to connect travelers with local taxis. The price for taxis are reasonable, but depending on the day you could end up waiting a little bit for a taxi.

The Best Wineries in Santorini to Visit

There are approximately 15 wineries on the island of Santorini, which is pretty impressive for the island being ~30 square miles in area! Many of the wineries are grouped near Thira, but several of the wineries extend north all the way up near Oia.

Here are the best wineries in Santorini for you to have the best wine tasting experience on this gorgeous island! Below is a map of these wineries for you to discover where you want to come next.

Wine Varietals Grown in Santorini

Santorini’s terroir and climate allow for the growth of unique varietals that are found no where else in the world! The most common types of indigenous white wine you may taste are Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, while the most common types of indigenous red wine you may taste are Mandilaria and Mavrotragano.

The growing season in Santorini is shorter than in other parts of the world. Harvest typically begins during August with a wine festival, called Vedema, that is tradition for the Greeks each year.

The wine varietals aren’t the only thing unique about the wine grown in Santorini! Rather than the vineyards growing in rows, they are grown into the shape of a wreath! The vines are grown this way because of the unique volcanic microclimate of Santorini that protects the grapes from the endless winds that blow through the island.

Santorini Wine Tasting Summary

Santorini is the perfect destination for a holiday. Santorini not only offers incredible architecture, views or food, but also has a booming wine scene that will leave you wanting more. Whether you book a wine tasting tour, or decide to choose your own adventure, you will be sure to have a memorable time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I wear while wine tasting in Santorini?

Typically, most people wear dressy clothes to the winery. For women, this means dresses, skirts, or nice shorts with a top. For men, this means shorts or pants paired with a polo or button down top. This will also help you look super cute for all of the photo ops you will have while tasting!

What is the weather like in Santorini?

Santorini has Mediterranean climate, which means warm temperatures during the months of May-October. The average temperatures during the day are typically in the 70-80°F, so be prepared to sweat if you are going to be outside for a long time!

How many wineries in Santorini should I visit?

It is recommended to do no more than 2-3 tastings on a given day to avoid rushing from winery to winery. Wine tasting should be relaxing, and with the incredible views you will be seeing you’re going to want to stick around the enjoy.

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