Santorini’s volcanic terroir yields some of the world’s most distinctive wines. This full-day tour offers an immersive exploration of the island’s vibrant wine culture, guiding guests through five acclaimed wineries for over 20 tastings. Led by an expert sommelier, the journey showcases Santorini’s celebrated Assyrtiko grape and local cuisine. From picturesque vineyards to historic cellars, the tour promises an unforgettable sensory experience. Whether a wine connoisseur or curious novice, this curated itinerary provides a unique opportunity to discover the allure of Santorini’s unparalleled winemaking tradition.
Key Points
- A full-day Santorini wine tour featuring visits to five top wineries and over 20 tastings of distinctive volcanic wines.
- Focus on the unique Assyrtiko grape variety and exploration of Santorini’s rich viticultural heritage.
- Personalized winery selection option allows guests to customize their tasting journey based on preferences.
- Scenic island tour highlights include breathtaking landscapes, iconic white-washed buildings, and visits to charming towns.
- Inclusions such as hotel/port/airport pickup, a light meal, and wine pairings enhance the overall experience.
Tour Overview and Details
This full-day Santorini Wine Tour allows visitors to explore five of the island’s top wineries, indulging in over 20 tastings of the region’s distinctive volcanic wines.
Priced from $433.60 per person, the 7-hour tour includes hotel, port, and airport pickup and drop-off at 8 convenient locations across the island.
Accompanied by an expert English and Greek-speaking sommelier, guests will dive into Santorini’s wine culture, learning about its unique terroir and indigenous grape varietals.
The tour also includes a light meal, cheese and local bites pairings, and scenic drives around the island.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance, making this an accessible and flexible wine experience.
Wine Experiences and Wineries
The Santorini Wine Tour takes visitors on a journey through five of the island’s top wineries, showcasing the region’s unique volcanic wines.
Guests will explore Anhydrous Winery, known for its distinctive flavors from the volcanic soil, and Gavalas Winery, a 4th-generation family estate. They’ll also visit Gaia Winery, located on the beach, and Hatzidakis Winery, which follows organic practices.
Finally, the tour includes Venetsanos Winery, the first industrial winery on the island, and Artemis Karamolegkos Winery, a prize-winning producer.
With over 20 tastings, the tour provides a deep dive into the Assyrtiko grape variety that thrives in Santorini’s terroir. Visitors can trust the expert recommendations or choose their preferred wineries for a personalized experience.
Top Wineries Visited
Anhydrous Winery, known for its unique volcanic wines, kicks off the tour, allowing visitors to experience the distinctive flavors of Santorini’s terroir.
The tour then moves on to the established, fourth-generation Gavalas Winery and the beachside Gaia Winery, each offering a unique perspective on the island’s winemaking traditions.
Hatzidakis Winery, known for its organic practices since 1997, and the historic Venetsanos Winery, the first industrial winery built in 1947, round out the top five estates visited.
These wineries showcase:
- Santorini’s diverse microclimates and soil types
- The versatility of the Assyrtiko grape variety
- The island’s rich viticultural heritage
Unique Wine Culture of Santorini
Viticulture, the art of grape-growing, has long been intertwined with the very fabric of Santorini’s identity, shaping its distinctive landscape and culinary traditions. The island’s unique volcanic soil and climate have given rise to the prized Assyrtiko grape variety, known for its crisp acidity and mineral-rich notes. Santorini’s wine culture is further enriched by its storied past, with families like the Hatzidaskas and Gavalas cultivating their vineyards for generations. Today, visitors can enjoy this legacy, exploring the island’s top estates and discovering the nuances that make Santorini wines truly exceptional.
| Grape Variety | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Assyrtiko | Crisp acidity, mineral notes |
| Aidani | Floral aromas, medium-bodied |
| Mavrotragano | Bold tannins, dark fruit flavors |
Diversity of Assyrtiko Grape Variety
Santorini’s signature Assyrtiko grape offers a remarkable diversity of styles, from bone-dry, crisp expressions to richly textured, oak-aged interpretations. The range of Assyrtiko wines showcases the grape’s exceptional versatility and adaptability to the island’s unique terroir.
This indigenous varietal can be found in:
- Lean, mineral-driven white wines with vibrant acidity and citrus notes
- Full-bodied, barrel-fermented Assyrtiko with creamy textures and hints of vanilla
- Assyrtiko-based blends that incorporate other local grapes for added complexity
Winemakers on Santorini have mastered the art of coaxing out the Assyrtiko’s inherent qualities, creating a portfolio of wines that celebrates the island’s rich viticultural heritage.
Personalized Winery Selection Option
For those seeking a more personalized wine touring experience, the tour offers the opportunity to select preferred wineries or to trust the expert recommendations of the certified sommelier guide.
Whether you’re interested in exploring a specific winery’s unique volcanic wines or discovering the latest award-winning estate, the tour’s flexibility allows you to curate your tasting journey.
The knowledgeable sommelier will provide insights into the region’s wine culture and guide you through the distinct characteristics of the indigenous Assyrtiko grape.
With this personalized approach, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Santorini’s winemaking heritage and have the freedom to tailor the tour to your individual preferences.
Scenic Island Tour Highlights
Along With exploring Santorini’s world-class wineries, the tour offers a scenic journey around the island, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes and picturesque villages.
Travelers can expect to witness the island’s iconic white-washed buildings, dramatic cliffs, and stunning views of the Aegean Sea, all while learning about the region’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The tour highlights include:
- Passing through charming towns like Oia, Pyrgos, and Megalochori, known for their traditional architecture and vibrant local culture.
- Stopping at panoramic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the caldera, a dramatic geological feature formed by a massive volcanic eruption.
- Experiencing the island’s unique geology, including its volcanic black sand beaches and rugged terrain.
Inclusions, Amenities, and Important Information
The tour includes hotel/port/airport pickup and drop-off, providing travelers with convenient transportation to and from the wineries.
A light meal is also provided at one of the wineries, allowing participants to further enjoy the local culinary experience.
A certified English-speaking sommelier guides the group, sharing teachings on viticulture practices and indigenous grape varietals. Wine pairings with Cycladic cheese and local bites are included, enhancing the tasting experience.
For cruise ship travelers, liability insurance and cable car tickets are provided.
It’s important to note that the tour has limited participants, and itineraries may vary based on bookings and weather.
Plus, the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women or children under 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
No, it’s not permitted to bring one’s own food and drinks on the tour. The tour includes a light meal at one of the wineries, as well as wine pairings with local bites, all provided as part of the experience.
How Much Time Is Spent at Each Winery?
The tour spends approximately 1-1.5 hours at each of the 5 wineries visited. This allows guests to explore the winery, taste the wines, and learn about the winemaking process from the experts.
Are the Tastings Served in a Particular Order?
The tastings are typically served in a planned order, starting with lighter, more refreshing wines and progressing to fuller-bodied, more complex ones. This allows guests to fully appreciate the diversity of Santorini’s winemaking traditions.
Can I Purchase Wine at the Wineries for Shipping?
Yes, travelers can purchase wine at the wineries to ship home. The tour includes an opportunity to buy the wines tasted during the tour, which can then be shipped directly from the wineries.
Is There a Dress Code or Special Clothing Required?
There’s no official dress code, but comfortable, casual clothing is recommended for the wine tour. Avoid anything too formal or restrictive, as you’ll be spending the day exploring Santorini’s vineyards and tasting rooms.
Recap
The full-day Santorini Wine Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the island’s renowned vineyards, taste over 20 exceptional wines, and discover the rich viticultural heritage.
Guided by an expert sommelier, participants can enjoy the captivating landscape and savor the celebrated Assyrtiko grape variety.
With visits to five prestigious wineries, this personalized tour provides an unforgettable journey through Santorini’s enchanting wine culture.
