Private Wine Tour in 3 Wineries with 12 Wine Tastings and Tapas

Santorini’s wine story makes more sense when you see it in three very different settings: an old winery in volcanic caves, a polished estate, and a caldera-side cellar built into the cliffs. This four-hour private tour brings those contrasts together, with a sommelier, at least 12 tastings, and a sunset finish at Venetsanos Winery.

I like two things in particular: the range of winery styles gives you more than a succession of tasting counters, and the private transfers let you enjoy the wine without arranging rides between stops. The trade-off is the pace. Three wineries in roughly four hours means about an hour at each, and some people may want more time to linger.

The quick take

• Art Space occupies ancient volcanic caves, with a wine museum and local art alongside its winery.
• Estate Argyros adds a vineyard-and-cellar visit, with signature Assyrtiko and Vinsanto to taste.
• Venetsanos puts the finale on the caldera, with a guided look at its gravity-fed production method and sunset views.
• At least 12 wines are included, accompanied by mineral water, local cheese and snacks, plus a tapas platter at the final winery.
• Your group has private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle, with pickup offered at Santorini hotels and Airbnbs.
• The listed price is $277.56 per person, so the best value comes if you care about the guided winery visits, private transport, and tasting variety, not simply the number of pours.

Three wineries, three different sides of Santorini wine

The tour’s strongest idea is its variety. Rather than visit three similar tasting rooms, you move through an art-filled cave winery, a family estate known for its wines, and a cliffside winery with a view over the caldera. Each stop gives you a different setting for understanding Santorini’s wine culture.

The tour lasts about four hours, with roughly an hour at each winery. That leaves time for the guided visits and tastings, but it is not a leisurely afternoon at any one estate. If you want an introduction to the island’s wines and a taste of several producers, the structure works well. If you like long conversations over each glass, the schedule may feel brisk.

At least 12 wines are included across the three stops. You also get mineral water and local cheese and snacks alongside the tastings, with a fuller platter of local tapas at the last winery. The food is useful, not incidental: it gives you something to nibble between pours and helps make this a complete half-day outing rather than three quick samples.

Art Space: wine, art, and volcanic caves

The first stop is Art Space in Exo Gonia, a traditional winery housed in ancient volcanic caves. It combines a wine museum and art gallery, so the visit is about more than tasting. You can see the historic cave winery, take in local art, and try organic wines made by the estate.

This is a good place to begin because it sets the island’s wine story in a distinctive physical setting. A cave winery feels very different from a modern tasting room, and the art adds another layer to the visit. If you enjoy seeing how a place presents its local culture as well as its products, this stop should suit you.

The visit is scheduled for about an hour. That needs to cover the winery tour, the art, and the tasting, so you may not have a great deal of unstructured time. A few people particularly enjoy the wines at Art Space, but preferences vary, and the point of visiting three wineries is to compare rather than expect one universal favorite.

Estate Argyros: Assyrtiko and Vinsanto

At Estate Argyros, the focus shifts to a guided look at the vineyard and cellars, followed by a tasting of signature Assyrtiko and Vinsanto. These two wines give you a chance to try different expressions from the same estate, while the vineyard and cellar visit adds context to what is in your glass.

The stop also brings a different level of formality to the day. One visitor compared its feel to Napa Valley, a useful cue if you are imagining a more established estate setting rather than the intimate cave atmosphere at Art Space. The appeal here is the combination of guided production spaces and a tasting with named wines, not just a scenic terrace.

Ask your guide or the winery staff what distinguishes the wines you are trying. The tour is designed to be educational, and guides such as Nick, Nikos, and Nico have been praised for explaining Santorini wine in an accessible way. You do not need to arrive with wine expertise. The experience is meant to work for newcomers as well as people who already know their way around a tasting.

Venetsanos: gravity-fed wine above the caldera

The final stop is Venetsanos Winery, perched on the caldera cliffs. The guided visit introduces its gravity-fed production method, then turns to the wines and the view. The itinerary positions this as the sunset finale, giving you a memorable setting for the last tasting and the included tapas platter.

This is the most obviously scenic stop, and the setting matters. You are not just sampling wine in a tasting room; you are looking out over one of Santorini’s defining views while you do it. That makes Venetsanos a fitting close, especially if you want photographs or a quiet moment with a glass before returning to your accommodation.

The practical caveat is timing. Sunset depends on the tour’s start time and the season, and the tour lasts about four hours. Confirm the scheduled departure time when booking if the sunset view is a priority. Even without perfect sunset timing, the caldera-side position is a major part of this stop’s appeal.

A sommelier-led tour that stays approachable

A professional sommelier is part of the experience, along with a local guide who handles the transport and shares information about the island and its wines. The names that have come up include Nick, Nikos, Nico, Thanasis, Maria, and Notis, but the assigned guide can vary. Don’t book expecting a particular person unless the operator confirms it.

The guide’s role is more than driving between wineries. A good guide can connect what you taste with the place you are visiting, explain the wines in plain terms, and help you feel comfortable asking basic questions. That matters if you are new to tastings, and it can still add value if you already know wine. Several people have singled out guides for being warm, informative, and easy to listen to.

The experience is private, so only your own group takes part. It can accommodate up to 15 people, all aged 16 or older. That makes it a useful option for a family group with older teens, a couple, or friends who want to share a tour without being joined by strangers.

What the $277.56 price buys you

At $277.56 per person, this is a premium-priced half-day activity. You are paying for more than the wine: the fee includes three winery visits, at least 12 tastings, a guide, private round-trip transport, mineral water, local cheese and snacks, and a tapas platter at the last stop. Pickup from hotels and Airbnbs is offered, which can save you the hassle of coordinating transport across the island.

The value depends on how much you want the guided structure. If your priority is simply to taste wine, you might find cheaper ways to do that. If you want several wineries, an expert-led introduction, a private vehicle, and a scenic finale in one planned outing, the price is easier to justify. A previous visitor felt a similar experience could cost about $100 less, so it is sensible to compare alternatives if budget is your main concern.

Vehicle size is worth checking if you are booking for a larger group. The tour specifies a modern, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle, but the exact vehicle can vary. A group of four once found a sedan cramped, with three people sharing the back seat. Ask the operator what vehicle is planned for your party rather than assuming every pickup will be in a van.

Pickup, timing, and a few useful checks

Pickup is offered from Santorini hotels and Airbnbs. If a vehicle cannot reach your accommodation because of local access restrictions, pickup is arranged at a nearby point within a short walk. Airport pickup and drop-off are available at no extra cost, which can make this tour a practical choice on arrival or departure day, provided the timing works with your flight.

Cruise ship passengers meet at the top of the cable car, where the driver-guide holds a name board. If you are coming from a ship, allow time to reach that meeting point and confirm the tour’s departure details before you book. The tour is also listed as near public transportation, though the included pickup is the simplest option for most people.

The tour is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. It is a private activity, so you are not sharing the vehicle and winery visits with another booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cutoff follows local time.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a strong fit if you want a guided introduction to Santorini wine without planning your own route. The three wineries bring real variety, and the mix of cave history, vineyard and cellar, and caldera scenery makes the half-day feel broader than a standard tasting visit.

It also works for people who want to celebrate a birthday or share a special outing with friends or family. The private format gives your group room to set its own tone, while the guide can make the wine approachable if some of you are beginners. With 12 or more tastings, plan to take your time and use the water and snacks provided.

You may prefer a different option if you want a long, unhurried visit at a single winery, or if $277.56 feels steep for a four-hour activity. The schedule is compact, and one hour at each stop can feel rushed if you want to explore every corner or linger over each wine. It is also worth confirming the vehicle size if comfort matters more than privacy.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want three distinct winery settings, a sommelier-led tasting, private transport, and the chance to end with wine and a caldera view. The combination makes it a convenient way to learn about Santorini wine while seeing parts of the island beyond the usual hotel and village circuit.

Skip it if your main goal is the lowest-cost tasting, or if you would rather spend a full afternoon at one estate. Before booking, check the departure time for the sunset, confirm the vehicle planned for your group, and make sure the four-hour pace suits you. If those details fit, this is a well-rounded way to spend a half-day on Santorini.

FAQ

How long is the wine tour?

The tour lasts approximately four hours, with about one hour scheduled at each winery.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

It visits three: Art Space in Exo Gonia, Estate Argyros, and Venetsanos Winery.

How many wines are included?

The tour includes 12 wine tastings.

Is food included?

Yes. Local cheese and snacks accompany the tastings, and a platter of local tapas and snacks is included at the last winery. Mineral water is also provided.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates. The tour can accommodate up to 15 people aged 16 or older.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is offered at Santorini hotels and Airbnbs. If a vehicle cannot reach your accommodation, pickup is arranged nearby within a short walking distance.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet?

Cruise ship passengers meet at the top of the cable car. The driver-guide holds a name board with the travelers’ names.

Is airport pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at Santorini National Airport are available at no extra cost.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the tour starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and cutoff times follow local time.