Santorini: Wine Tasting Tour With 4-Course Lunch And 4-Wines

Santorini’s volcanic terroir has long captivated wine enthusiasts seeking a unique tasting experience. This intimate 5-hour tour invites guests to discover the island’s rich viniculture through exclusive visits and tastings at local wineries. Paired with a delectable 4-course lunch showcasing Santorini’s culinary heritage, the tour promises an immersive exploration of the region’s distinctive flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious newcomer, this carefully curated experience offers a chance to uncover the secrets behind Santorini’s acclaimed Assyrtiko wines and the remarkable stories they hold.

Key Points

A 5-hour wine tasting tour in Santorini that includes hotel pickup, a live English-speaking guide, tastings of 4 Assyrtiko wines, and a 4-course lunch.
Visits to traditional ‘Canaves’ structures in Mesa Gonia Village, a renovated tomato factory at Monolithos Beach, and the Old Open Cinema for wine tastings.
Exploration of Santorini’s unique terroir and its influence on the distinctive Assyrtiko grape, known for its crisp acidity, intense minerality, and subtle citrus flavors.
Opportunity to learn about the local wine varieties, such as Assyrtiko, Aidani, and Mavrotragano, and their complementary pairings with fresh seafood and tangy feta.
Accessible and flexible tour with wheelchair-friendly options, no upfront payment required, and easy adjustments to fit individual travel plans.

Tour Overview and Pricing

The Santorini Wine Tasting Tour offers visitors a comprehensive 5-hour experience, with prices starting from $249.45 per person. The small-group tour is limited to just 10 participants, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

Travelers can look forward to free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the convenience of booking now and paying later. The tour includes hotel pickup, a live English-speaking guide, tastings of 4 top-rated Assyrtiko wines, and a delightful 4-course lunch.

Visitors will explore 3 renowned wineries, marvel at Santorini’s unique architecture and stunning vistas, and explore the island’s rich winemaking heritage. The tour’s accessibility and flexible booking options cater to a wide range of travelers.

Itinerary Highlights

Visitors embark on a captivating journey through Santorini’s renowned wine country, exploring 3 distinct wineries across the island.

At the first stop in Mesa Gonia Village, they’ll discover traditional cave-shaped constructions called ‘Canaves’ and marvel at the stunning views.

Next, they’ll visit a renovated early-20th-century tomato factory in Monolithos Beach, where they’ll learn about the unique process of Greek winemaking.

The final winery, the Old Open Cinema, offers a tasting of 4 top-rated Assyrtiko wines, showcasing Santorini’s distinctive terroir.

The tour culminates with a 4-course meal expertly paired with a final sampling of local wine varieties, providing a delightful and immersive experience of Santorini’s vibrant wine culture.

Winery Visits and Tastings

As guests embark on the wine tasting tour, they first visit the Mesa Gonia Village, where they explore the traditional cave-shaped ‘Canaves’ structures and admire the stunning vistas overlooking the Aegean Sea. Next, they head to the Monolithos Beach area, where they learn about the unique Santorini terroir and its influence on the local winemaking process. The final stop is the Old Open Cinema, a renovated early-20th-century tomato factory that now serves as a tasting room, where guests sample four top-rated Assyrtiko wines and gain insight into the art of Greek winemaking. The tour culminates with a delectable 4-course meal, where guests can further savor the local wine varieties.

Winery	Location	Highlight
Mesa Gonia Village	Santorini	Traditional ‘Canaves’ structures and stunning sea views
Monolithos Beach	Santorini	Unique terroir and its impact on local winemaking
Old Open Cinema	Santorini	Renovated tomato factory, tasting of 4 Assyrtiko wines

Santorini’s Unique Terroir

Santorini’s unique terroir, shaped by the island’s volcanic history and Mediterranean climate, gives rise to the region’s distinctive Assyrtiko grapes that are central to its acclaimed wine production.

This ancient grape variety thrives in Santorini’s well-drained, mineral-rich volcanic soil and benefits from the island’s bright sunshine, low rainfall, and cooling sea breezes.

The result is a white wine with a captivating balance of crisp acidity, intense minerality, and subtle citrus and stone fruit flavors.

Visitors to Santorini can explore this unique terroir through:

Guided tours of historic vineyards and wineries
Tastings of award-winning Assyrtiko wines
Pairing local wines with the island’s fresh, Mediterranean cuisine.

Local Wine Varieties and Pairing

What’re the local wine varieties that visitors can savor on a Santorini wine tasting tour, and how do they pair with the island’s renowned cuisine?

The tour culminates in a tasting of these local wine varieties, expertly matched with a 4-course Mediterranean meal.

Santorini is renowned for its distinctive Assyrtiko grape, producing crisp, mineral-driven white wines that complement the island’s fresh seafood and tangy feta.

Visitors also get to sample lesser-known local varieties like Aidani and Mavrotragano, with their unique flavor profiles.

These wines are thoughtfully paired with a 4-course lunch, showcasing the harmony between Santorini’s terroir and its culinary traditions.

It’s a holistic experience that allows guests to fully enjoy the island’s winemaking heritage.

Accessibility and Flexibility

The tour offers wheelchair accessibility, allowing visitors with mobility challenges to fully participate in the wine tasting experience.

Flexible booking options also accommodate travelers’ schedules, enabling them to easily adjust their plans as needed. This ensures that the Santorini wine tasting tour is accessible and accommodating for a wide range of guests:

Wheelchair users can seamlessly join the small group and experience the wineries and spectacular views.
Travelers can reserve their spot with no upfront payment and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Flexible booking options make it easy to adjust the tour to fit individual travel plans, providing a hassle-free experience.

Winemaking History and Process

On the tour, guests enjoy Santorini’s winemaking history, learning about the unique process that has shaped the island’s distinctive wines over centuries.

Situated in a renovated early-20th-century tomato factory, the introduction to Greek winemaking provides visitors with a captivating glimpse into the region’s rich viticultural heritage.

Guests discover how Santorini’s volcanic soil, arid climate, and traditional cultivation methods, including the iconic ‘kouloura’ vine-training system, result in the production of the acclaimed Assyrtiko grape variety.

Through interactive demonstrations and tastings, travelers gain an appreciation for the meticulous attention to detail that goes into crafting Santorini’s world-renowned wines, each bottle embodying the island’s unique terroir and centuries-old winemaking traditions.

Spectacular Views and Experiences

Throughout the tour, guests marvel at the stunning vistas that showcase Santorini’s world-renowned natural beauty. From the traditional cave-shaped constructions known as ‘Canaves’ to the breathtaking panoramas of the Aegean Sea, each winery stop offers visitors a chance to enjoy the island’s captivating scenery.

The highlights of the tour include:

Witnessing the sun-drenched vineyards and dramatic cliffs that define Santorini’s unique terroir.
Enjoying the sweeping ocean views from the Old Open Cinema winery, providing a serene backdrop for wine tasting.
Discovering the renovated early-20th-century tomato factory, which showcases the island’s rich agricultural heritage.

These spectacular experiences allow guests to fully appreciate Santorini’s unparalleled natural beauty while indulging in the region’s renowned wines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Restrictions on the Types of Wines Served?

The tour doesn’t have any restrictions on the types of wines served. It features a tasting of 4 top-rated Assyrtiko wines, showcasing Santorini’s unique terroir and local wine varieties paired with a 4-course meal.

Can I Request a Specific Dietary Accommodation for the Lunch?

Yes, the tour provider offers dietary accommodations for the 4-course lunch. Guests can request vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options when booking the tour. The provider is flexible in meeting any special dietary needs.

Is the Tour Suitable for Children or Minors?

The tour is not recommended for children or minors, as it focuses on wine tasting. It’s better suited for adults who can fully enjoy the wine experience and the 4-course meal. The tour operator suggests limiting participation to those 18 and older.

Is Transportation Provided From Locations Outside of Thera?

Yes, the tour provider offers pickup from your hotel in Thera. However, transportation from locations outside of Thera is not included. Participants will need to make their own way to the starting point in Thera.

Can I Purchase Additional Wines or Souvenirs During the Tour?

Yes, participants can purchase additional wines or souvenirs during the tour. The tour includes tastings of 4 wines, but guests are welcome to purchase more bottles or local items at the wineries or from the tour guide.