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

A private wine tour in Santorini is interesting when it does more than pour wine. This one strings together three very different wineries and lines up tastings across the island’s styles, with a sunset-ready finale.

I love that you get 12 wine tastings guided by a professional sommelier, plus food at the right moments (local cheese, olives, tapas, and mineral water). You also get plenty of context, not wine-snob vibes, and that matters if you are new to Greek wine.

One thing to consider is that it can feel pricey for some people, and a couple of reviews noted the ride could be a little tight or the schedule felt a bit rushed. If you want lots of hanging out time at each stop, plan for a structured, efficient flow.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing

• 12 tastings across 3 wineries, so you taste more than just one house style
• Professional sommelier guidance, built for beginners and wine nerds alike
• Food with the flights, including local cheeses, snacks, tapas, and mineral water
• Pickup from hotels and Airbnbs, with cruise ship and airport options noted
• Venetsanos caldera views, plus a tour of gravity-fed production
• Art Space in volcanic caves, where wine and art share the same space

A Half-Day That Tastes Like Three Different Santorinis

This is a 4-hour private wine tour in Santorini, built around three stops that each show a different side of the island. You start in Exo Gonia, move to a more classic estate experience, and finish high on the caldera cliffs.

The private setup helps. You are not trying to hear over a crowd, and your guide can slow down when someone has questions, like what to look for in Assyrtiko or why Vinsanto tastes the way it does. If you are traveling with friends or family and want a calmer day than hopping between viewpoints solo, this kind of plan is a smart use of time.

The tour is designed for real tastings, not tiny sips. In total, you get 12 wine tastings, and the food pairings show up alongside the tastings, which makes the whole experience more enjoyable and less exhausting.

Stop 1 in Exo Gonia at Art Space: Caves, Art, and Organic Sips

Your first stop is Exo Gonia, at Art Space, which blends a wine museum and art gallery inside ancient volcanic caves. That cave setting is not just a gimmick. It gives you a sense of place fast, because Santorini winemaking has always been shaped by geology, stone, and tradition.

At Art Space, you get a guided visit of the historic cave winery plus time to admire local artwork on site. Then comes the tasting part, focused on exceptional organic wines made with care.

A couple of reviews made Art Space a clear standout, especially when it comes to the people hosting the experience. One review noted the owner as the sommelier and praised him as fantastic, which tells me this stop can feel personal, not scripted. If you like wine with a sense of character, this is where you often start to understand why Santorini wines taste the way they do.

Practical note: this stop runs about one hour, so you will see the space and taste, but it will not turn into a long, slow museum afternoon.

Estate Argyros: A Classic Santorini Estate and Two Signature Wines

Next up is Estate Argyros, one of Santorini’s well-known names for quality winemaking. Here, the vibe shifts from cave-and-art to a more estate-centered experience.

You get a guided tour of the vineyard and cellars, and then a tasting focused on their signature wines. The tour includes tastings of Assyrtiko and Vinsanto, which is a great pairing for learning.

Why this works:

• Assyrtiko is Santorini’s famous dry white style, and you taste it in a context that helps you pick up the differences you might miss if you were ordering blindly in a taverna.
• Vinsanto is the sweet, dessert-style wine that feels like a finish, not just another glass.

One review described this part as having a Napa Valley-like feel. That is a useful clue. If you want a more polished, structured tasting experience, this is likely the most comfortable stop of the three.

Time-wise, you get another hour. You will learn, taste, and move on, which is good for keeping the day from dragging.

Venetsanos Winery: Gravity-Fed Wine and Caldera Sunset Views

Your final stop is Venetsanos Winery, perched above the caldera cliffs. This is the stop that most people remember later, mainly for the views.

You also tour Venetsanos with a focus on their production method, including gravity-fed production. Even if you are not the type who reads wine technical sheets, a method like this helps you connect the wine to real decisions. Gravity-fed systems are about gentler handling, and it is exactly the kind of thing a good sommelier can explain in plain language.

Then comes the tasting. At the end of your tour, Venetsanos is set up so you are tasting while the scenery is doing its best work, and the plan is built to finish around sunset.

A few reviews called Venetsanos easily the most beautiful winery they saw anywhere, and the views were described as gorgeous and very Santorini. If you want your wine day to feel like a real highlight, not just another scheduled activity, this is the reason to do it.

The 12 Tastings and Food Pairings: What You Actually Get

The biggest advantage here is that tastings are paired with food and water. You are not tasting on an empty stomach, and you are not forced to guess which wine goes with which bite.

Included food elements include:

• local cheese and snacks alongside the wine tastings
• mineral water with the tastings
• a starter of local cheeses and olives
• a tapas and snacks platter at the last winery

That last part matters because it turns the final stop into more of a meal moment. It also gives you a chance to slow down and compare what you have learned at each winery. By the time you are at Venetsanos, you can taste wine with your eyes on the caldera, not just tasting room walls.

Also, the tour is pitched as a learning experience, and the tone from guides seems beginner-friendly. Multiple reviews mention guides making wine feel welcoming, not intimidating, and that is a huge plus if you are worried you will not understand what to ask. If your sommelier is named Maria, Notis, Thanasis, Nick, Niko, or Nico, you can still expect the same goal, translating wine into something you can enjoy.

Transportation, Timing, and the One Thing to Double-Check

You get round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned modern Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Pickup is offered from hotels and Airbnbs across Santorini, and if a car cannot reach your exact entrance due to restrictions, pickup happens from a nearby location with a short walk.

Cruise ship passengers meet at the top of the cable car, and airport travelers can arrange pickup and drop-off from Santorini National Airport at no extra cost. There is also a mobile ticket, which is handy when you are juggling ferry times and hotel keys.

Timing is built around three one-hour winery stops, plus travel time. In practice, the day runs like a tight but not chaotic circuit. Most people seem to enjoy the pacing, but a couple of reviews noted it felt a bit rushed. If you are the type who wants extra time to linger, ask for extra stretching breaks if your guide has room in the schedule.

One more practical consideration: one review mentioned that for a group of four adults plus the guide, the car felt smaller than expected and that sharing space was not ideal. This does not sound like the norm, but if you have a group and want maximum comfort, it is worth asking what vehicle size you will get for your number of people.

Price and Value at $277.56 Per Person

At $277.56 per person, this is not a bargain-basement wine crawl. It is priced like a curated private experience with real access, and that is exactly what you are buying.

Here is what makes the price more reasonable than it might look at first glance:

• Private tour format with only your group
• Round-trip transport in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle
• 12 tastings across three wineries
• A professional sommelier guiding you through the experience
• Food included at tastings, plus tapas at the end

If you are a serious wine fan, you are getting quantity and context, not just variety. If you are traveling as a couple or small group, private tastings can be the difference between a quick pour and a proper educational session.

If you are traveling on a strict budget, you might feel the cost more sharply. That sentiment came up directly, with one review saying it seemed a bit overpriced for the experience. My take: price is fair if you want a structured wine day that also includes major scenery at sunset, and less fair if you are only interested in a couple of casual sips.

Also, the tour is booked about 53 days in advance on average, which suggests it is popular. If you want your preferred date, do not wait until the last few days.

Who This Private Wine Tour Is Best For

This tour is a strong fit for:

• wine lovers who want a guided tasting with 12 pours rather than scattered tastings
• beginners who want someone to explain what you are drinking without judging
• groups who prefer a calm, comfortable day plan with hotel or Airbnb pickup
• travelers who want their final wine stop to double as a scenery moment at sunset

It may be less ideal if:

• you hate structured schedules and want long hangs at each winery
• you are very sensitive to vehicle comfort for group size
• you expect more free time than a three-stop circuit allows

Should You Book This Santorini Wine Tour?

If you want a wine day that feels genuinely Santorini, with caves, estate learning, and a cliffside sunset finish, I would book it. The combination of 12 tastings, included food, and a guided sommelier experience is the sweet spot, especially for first-timers.

If you are on the fence because of price, think about what you would spend if you pieced together tastings and transport yourself. You would likely lose the convenience and the guided pacing. The best use of your money here is for a group that will actually taste and learn, not just take photos.

My final advice: if you book, tell your guide what matters most to you, like understanding Assyrtiko versus chasing the sunset views. That one small step helps you get the experience aligned with your expectations.

FAQ

How long is the private wine tour?

It runs for about 4 hours.

How many wineries do you visit?

You visit 3 wineries.

How many wine tastings are included?

The tour includes 12 wine tastings.

Is pickup available in Santorini?

Yes. Pickup is offered from all hotels and Airbnbs in Santorini. If access is restricted, pickup is held from a nearby location with short walking distance.

Where do cruise ship passengers meet?

Cruise ship travelers meet at the top of the cable car.

Is airport pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Airport pickup and drop-off from Santorini National Airport is possible at no extra cost.

What food is included during the tastings?

You get local cheese and snacks with the tastings, plus mineral water. There is also a tapas and snacks platter at the last winery, and the starter includes local cheeses and olives.

Do I get to drink mineral water during the tour?

Yes. Mineral water is included alongside the wine tastings.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.