Santorini Wineries: 10 Best for Tasting, Local Guide (2026)

Short answer: For caldera views at sunset, go to Santo Wines or Venetsanos. For the most serious wine, book a tasting at Estate Argyros or Domaine Sigalas, and for a smaller organic producer, Hatzidakis, which takes reservations only. Gavalas in Megalochori is the family estate for rare local grapes. Three wineries make an ideal day, enough to compare styles without blurring them, so book a guided tour or a driver and leave the car behind.

Santorini's wine scene doesn't get the credit it deserves. Visitors come for the caldera, the sunsets, the photos. But the island has been producing wine for over 3,500 years, and its volcanic soil gives the wines a salty, mineral edge you notice from the first sip.

If you're building your Santorini food and wine itinerary, picking the right wineries matters more than visiting the most wineries. Some are worth an entire afternoon. Others deserve a quick stop. A few are skippable unless you're deep into wine.

We've been sending guests from Aroma Suites to these wineries for years. What follows is what we actually tell them. Not the brochure version.

Photo: Anthony Baratier, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For a broader look at tastings, tours, and what to expect from Santorini's wines, read our complete wine tasting guide. Prefer to be driven between wineries? See our guide to choosing a Santorini wine tour.

Best wineries in Santorini for caldera views

The view matters to most visitors. If it matters to you, these two wineries are the ones to book first.

1. Santo Wines Santorini - best overall for first-time visitors

Location: Pyrgos Known for: Massive caldera-view terrace, cooperative model representing 1,200+ local growers Tasting price: EUR 18-55 depending on the flight Reservation: Recommended in summer, walk-ins possible in spring/fall Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Nykteri, Grande Reserve Best time to visit: Late afternoon for sunset (arrive by 6 PM in summer) Website: santowines.gr

Santo Wines Santorini is where most people start. There's a reason. The terrace is enormous, built in tiers into the caldera cliff, with unobstructed views across to the volcanic islands. On a clear evening the sun drops straight into the sea in front of you.

The wines come from a cooperative of over 1,200 local grape growers, so you're tasting the collective terroir of the whole island. Their Assyrtiko is consistently good, clean, mineral-driven. The Nykteri (barrel-aged Assyrtiko) has more depth than most on the island.

Our honest take: Santo Wines gets crowded. July and August, tour buses in waves. The terrace can feel like an event venue more than a winery. Visit morning (before 11 AM) or during shoulder season (May, October) for a different experience entirely. The wine quality is solid. The crowds are the only issue.

2. Venetsanos Winery - most dramatic setting

Location: Megalochori (caldera side) Known for: 1947 gravity-fed architecture, caldera views with fewer crowds than Santo Tasting price: not published on its site; ask when you book Reservation: Recommended, especially for sunset Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Mandilaria Rose, Anhydros Best time to visit: 4-7 PM for golden light without the full sunset rush Website: venetsanoswinery.com

Venetsanos was built into the caldera cliff in 1947. The original gravity-fed design is still visible: the wine flowed downward through each production stage because the site had no electricity. That engineering story alone makes the tour worthwhile.

The caldera views match Santo Wines, but the atmosphere is calmer, with fewer tour buses, a smaller terrace and better food pairings. The Assyrtiko shows crisp pear and citrus. The Mandilaria rose is one of the better pinks on the island.

Our honest take: This is where we send guests who want caldera views without fighting for a table. Smaller wine list than Santo, but higher quality per glass. Their food menu, grilled octopus, fava, pairs properly with what you're drinking. Sunset sessions book out days ahead in summer.

Best wineries in Santorini for serious wine lovers

If the glass matters more than the window, these wineries produce Santorini's most respected bottles.

3. Estate Argyros Santorini - best wine quality overall

Location: Episkopi Gonias Known for: Largest private vineyard owner on the island, 120+ hectares, some vines over 200 years old Tasting price: EUR 15-40 (60-minute four-wine tasting to 90-minute seven-wine tasting with food) Reservation: Recommended Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Cuvee Monsignori (aged Assyrtiko), Vinsanto 12-Year Best time to visit: Morning (10-12 PM) when the tasting room is quietest Website: estateargyros.com

This is the winery wine professionals visit when they come to Santorini. Fourth-generation winemaker Matthew Argyros manages vineyards that were already old when his great-grandfather started. Listed among the Top 100 Wineries in the world by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

The guided tasting here teaches you something. You learn about the kouloura vine training method, the basket-shaped nests that protect grapes from wind. You understand why phylloxera never reached Santorini. You taste wines that show measurable differences between 50-year-old and 200-year-old vines.

Our honest take: If you visit one winery for the wine and not the view, make it Estate Argyros Santorini. The Cuvee Monsignori (aged Assyrtiko from old vines) is world-class, and you can only buy it at the estate. It's less photogenic than the caldera wineries, but the substance is in the glass.

4. Domaine Sigalas - the critics' favorite

Location: Baxes, Oia Known for: Robert Parker scores above 90, one of few producing quality reds from Mavrotragano Tasting price: EUR 22-40 for tutored wine flights; premium food-and-wine experiences (vineyard-gastronomy tour, multi-course degustation) run EUR 100-150 Reservation: Essential in summer (book 1-2 weeks ahead) Signature wines: Assyrtiko-Athiri, Kavalieros (single-vineyard Assyrtiko), Mavrotragano Best time to visit: Lunch service at the terrace restaurant is outstanding Website: sigalas-wine.com

This is the winery sommeliers recommend. Its wines regularly score above 90 points with Robert Parker, the whites are exceptional, and it's one of the few estates on Santorini making a serious red from the rare Mavrotragano grape.

The tasting feels closer to a wine estate in Burgundy than a tourist attraction in Greece. Production is small, the approach is serious, and the staff can talk terroir at whatever depth you want.

Our honest take: Summer bookings fill fast. June through September, reserve a week or more in advance. The terrace restaurant serves some of the best food on the island. Pair the Kavalieros Assyrtiko with grilled fish and you'll understand why people fly to Santorini for this table. It's not a small bill, but we think it's worth it.

Best wineries in Santorini for a unique experience

Not just tasting rooms. Each offers something you won't find at a standard winery.

5. Art Space Winery - most unusual atmosphere

Location: Exo Gonia (inland) Known for: Wine tasting in an old canava where the Argyros family began making wine in 1861, contemporary art installations between the barrels Tasting price: EUR 10 (4 wines) to EUR 20 (8 wines), per Santorini Dave Reservation: Walk-ins usually fine, but calling ahead helps Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Vinsanto (aged in old barrels), Aidani Best time to visit: Anytime (no view dependency) Website: artspacewinery-santorini.com

Not a typical winery visit. You descend into a pumice cave where wine has been made since 1861. Between the old wooden barrels and ancient presses: contemporary sculptures and paintings by Greek and international artists. Raw, dark cave meets modern art. Atmospheric. A little surreal.

The cave stays naturally cool year-round. One of the few wineries in Santorini that feels comfortable on a 35-degree August afternoon. Tasting happens literally among the barrels.

Our honest take: The wine at Art Space is decent. Not at the level of Argyros or Sigalas. That's not really the point. Come for the experience, the atmosphere, the photos. Good for couples looking for something different beyond the standard caldera-and-sunset routine. Pair it with a visit to nearby Pyrgos village for a half-day away from the tourist trail.

6. Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum - best for history

Location: Vothonas Known for: Underground museum tracing 300 years of Santorini winemaking, wax figures, antique equipment Tasting price: from EUR 30 (75 minutes, 4 wines, museum entry included), up to EUR 450 for the longest flights, per kwm.gr Reservation: Not required Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Vinsanto Best time to visit: Morning, before the afternoon heat Website: kwm.gr

This isn't a winery in the traditional sense. It's a wine museum carved 8 meters underground into a natural cave, where life-size wax figures show 300 years of winemaking traditions and antique presses, tools and barrels line the tunnels. Self-guided audio tour explains how island families produced wine before modern equipment existed.

Four wines at the end. Solid but unremarkable compared to premium producers. The museum, though, is genuinely interesting, especially if you want to understand the history behind what you're drinking at the other wineries.

Our honest take: Best first stop before visiting tasting-focused wineries. The context makes every subsequent tasting richer. The EUR 30 entry package includes the museum and a four-wine tasting. Children find the wax figures and cave tunnels entertaining, the one winery that actually works for families.

Best wineries in Santorini for beginners

7. Boutari Winery - best introduction to Santorini wine

Location: Megalochori Known for: Architecturally distinctive white-domed building, structured tasting programs Tasting price: EUR 15-85 (45-minute tour and tasting from about EUR 15, premium experience up to EUR 85) Reservation: Not usually needed Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Santorini Barrel, Vinsanto Best time to visit: Morning or early afternoon Website: boutari.gr

One of Greece's most established wine producers. Santorini outpost running for over 30 years. The modern facility with its white-domed architecture has been called one of the "ten architectural wonders of the wine world."

Well-structured, approachable tasting. Staff guide you through the major Santorini grape varieties with clear explanations. No assumed knowledge. Professional without being intimidating.

Our honest take: Polished and reliable. Not where you'll have your most memorable moment. Think of it as a clear, well-paced introduction. Good if you want to understand the basics before diving into smaller, quirkier producers like Gavalas or Art Space. Vineyard walk is nice, wine is consistent, and you'll leave knowing Assyrtiko from Aidani.

Hidden gems: wineries most visitors miss

These are smaller operations that rarely appear on tourist itineraries, which is part of the appeal.

8. Gavalas Winery - best for rare indigenous varieties

Location: Megalochori Known for: Family-run for five generations, cultivates rare grapes (Katsano, Voudomato) found nowhere else Tasting price: EUR 10 (3 wines), EUR 15 (5) or EUR 20 (7), per Santorini Dave Reservation: Not usually needed Signature wines: Katsano, Voudomato, Nykteri, Vinsanto Best time to visit: Anytime Website: gavalaswines.gr

This is the winery locals drink from, with five generations of the Gavalas family on these vines. Small enough that you might meet one of them pouring your glass.

No caldera views. No design-magazine architecture. Instead: wines you can't taste anywhere else on the planet. They're the only producer cultivating Katsano and Voudomato, two indigenous grape varieties most other wineries abandoned decades ago for more commercial Assyrtiko. Their work keeps Santorini's grape diversity alive.

Our honest take: Gavalas is the opposite of Santo Wines, in a good way: a modest tasting room in the village of Megalochori, and wines that surprise you. The Katsano white has a floral, aromatic quality nothing like Assyrtiko, discovering it feels like being let in on a secret. Guests who visit Gavalas come back with the most interesting stories.

9. Canava Roussos - oldest operating winery on the island

Location: Episkopi Gonias Known for: Producing wine since 1836, one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Greece Tasting price: about EUR 3 a sample or EUR 6 a glass, per Santorini Dave Reservation: Not required Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Nykteri, Vinsanto (from a traditional canava) Best time to visit: Morning Website: canavaroussos.gr

Making wine since 1836. The family's canava (traditional wine cave) is one of the few on Santorini still used for production and aging. Tiny compared to Santo Wines or Boutari. The intimacy is the appeal.

Tastings in a small, stone-walled space that feels like stepping back a century. The Vinsanto, aged in old oak barrels in the canava, has a caramel-and-fig intensity the bigger producers don't quite match.

Our honest take: Canava Roussos doesn't market itself, so you're more likely to have a personal, unhurried visit. The owner or a family member often pours, and it's easy to sit, talk, taste and lose track of time. Wines are solid, Vinsanto is excellent, and paying by the sample or the glass makes it one of the most accessible stops on the island. Near Estate Argyros, so pair them in one morning.

10. Hatzidakis Winery - organic pioneer

Location: Pyrgos Kallistis Known for: Organic and biodynamic winemaking, late founder Haridimos Hatzidakis was a legendary figure in Greek wine Tasting price: EUR 40-160 (4, 6, or 12-wine guided cave tastings, reservation required) Reservation: Required (reservation only) Signature wines: Assyrtiko de Mylos, Nykteri, Aidani Best time to visit: Late morning Website: hatzidakiswines.gr

Haridimos Hatzidakis was one of the most respected winemakers in Greece. Pushed organic and biodynamic practices on an island where volcanic soil and climate make that approach particularly hard. His daughter Stella runs the estate now, with her family. The wines still reflect his uncompromising philosophy.

The Assyrtiko de Mylos, from a single vineyard near a traditional windmill, stands with the best on the island. The Aidani white, a grape most producers undervalue, is aromatic, floral, and underpriced for what it is.

Our honest take: No caldera views. No flashy tasting room. What Hatzidakis has is wine that reflects real conviction about how grapes should be grown. Staff talk about the vines with visible passion. The organic approach produces wines with a different texture, more alive, less polished. Not for everyone. But if natural winemaking matters to you, this is the Santorini winery you'll remember.

Santorini winery comparison table

Winery	Location	Views	Wine Quality	Tasting Price (EUR)	Reservation Needed	Best For
Santo Wines	Pyrgos	Caldera (best)	Good	18-55	Recommended	First-timers, sunset
Venetsanos	Megalochori	Caldera (great)	Very good	Ask when booking	Recommended	Views without crowds
Estate Argyros	Episkopi Gonias	Vineyard	Excellent	15-40	Recommended	Serious wine lovers
Domaine Sigalas	Baxes, Oia	Vineyard	Excellent	22-150	Essential	Wine connoisseurs
Art Space	Exo Gonia	Cave (no view)	Good	10-20	Walk-in OK	Unique experience
Koutsoyannopoulos	Vothonas	Underground	Average	30-450	Not needed	History, families
Boutari	Megalochori	Garden	Good	15-85	Not needed	Beginners
Gavalas	Megalochori	Village	Very good	10-20	Not needed	Rare grape varieties
Canava Roussos	Episkopi Gonias	Rustic	Good	3 a sample, 6 a glass	Not needed	Intimate atmosphere
Hatzidakis	Pyrgos Kallistis	Vineyard	Excellent	40-160	Reservation only	Organic wine fans

The best winery day: our recommended route

With a guided wine tour or a private driver, which we arrange from the hotel, you can hit 3-4 wineries comfortably in a single day. Here's what we tell our guests.

Morning route (Best for wine-focused visitors)

10:00 AM - Estate Argyros (90 minutes) Strongest wines on the island. Start while your palate is fresh. The educational tour here sets up everything you'll taste later. Grab a bottle of Cuvee Monsignori before you leave.

11:45 AM - Canava Roussos (45 minutes) Five-minute drive from Argyros. Perfect contrast, polished international estate to family canava pouring since 1836. Try the Vinsanto.

12:45 PM - Gavalas Winery (60 minutes) Drive to Megalochori (15 minutes). Taste wines from grape varieties that exist nowhere else. Grab lunch at a taverna in the village, one of Santorini's prettiest and least touristy settlements.

3:00 PM - Venetsanos or Santo Wines (90 minutes) Finish at the caldera: Venetsanos for a quieter, food-paired experience, or Santo Wines for the biggest terrace and the widest views. Both are lovely as the light turns golden.

Sunset route (Best for the experience)

Flip the order. Start at Argyros around 2 PM, move on to Gavalas, and arrive at Venetsanos or Santo Wines by 6 PM for a sunset tasting with caldera views. Book your sunset spot in advance, especially June through September.

Tips for your winery day

• Don't drive after tasting. Santorini's roads are narrow, steep, and busy in summer, which is why we suggest doing this route with a guide or driver.
• Eat between stops. Proper lunch halfway through prevents palate fatigue. The restaurants in Fira are central and easy to reach.
• Bring water. Heat plus alcohol plus vineyard walks catches up fast.
• Bring a cooler bag. A car trunk in August sun will cook your bottles.

When to visit Santorini wineries

May and October are the sweet spot. Everything open, warm weather without the brutality, walk-in availability at places that require summer reservations. Vineyard visits in May show vines in full leaf before harvest.

June through September: Peak season. Same wines, different experience. Book 3-7 days ahead. Mornings (before 11 AM) are quieter. Sunset sessions at Santo Wines and Venetsanos are the most competitive reservations on the island.

November through April: Tricky. Several smaller wineries close or run limited hours. Santo Wines, Boutari, and the Wine Museum usually stay open year-round, but call ahead. Visiting Santorini in winter or early spring? Focus on those three.

What Santorini Wine Tasting costs

Tasting fees at wineries in Santorini run from a few euros a sample at Canava Roussos up to EUR 160 for Hatzidakis's longest flight (EUR 450 for the top package at the Koutsoyannopoulos museum). Most standard flights cost EUR 10-55.

Entry-level tastings (up to about EUR 20): Gavalas (EUR 10-20), Art Space (EUR 10-20), Canava Roussos by the sample or glass, and Boutari's 45-minute tour. Three to eight wines, sometimes a small snack pairing.

Mid-range tastings (EUR 15-55): Estate Argyros (EUR 15-40), Santo Wines (EUR 18-55), the Koutsoyannopoulos museum package (from EUR 30). Venetsanos doesn't publish its prices; ask when you book. Four to seven wines, food pairing options usually available at extra cost.

Premium tastings (EUR 40 and up): Hatzidakis, Domaine Sigalas, Estate Argyros premium flight. Hatzidakis offers guided cave tastings from EUR 40 for four wines, rising to EUR 80 (six wines with vineyard visit) and EUR 160 (twelve wines with older vintages). Sigalas food-and-wine experiences reach EUR 100 to EUR 150, and Boutari's premium experience EUR 85. Reserve and single-vineyard wines, often with guided food pairings included.

A realistic spend for a 3-winery day: EUR 40-80 per person for tastings alone. Another EUR 20-40 if you buy a bottle or two at each stop. Wines at Estate Argyros and Sigalas are priced fairly for their quality. Buying at the winery door often costs less than the same bottles in Fira shops.

Where to stay between wineries

Wine days are long. Coming back to a quiet caldera-view terrace beats most things. Aroma Suites is in central Fira, close to the wineries on the south and east of the island, and walkable to dinner afterward. The Jacuzzi Cave Suite is the one we usually recommend for guests doing wine tours, since the soak afterward is part of the experience.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best wineries in Santorini to visit?

The best Santorini wineries are clustered mainly in the south around Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Episkopi Gonias, with Domaine Sigalas near Oia in the north. They sit a short drive apart, so you can comfortably visit three in a half-day or four in a full day, ideally finishing at a caldera-view terrace for sunset. The full list, with tasting prices and reservation advice, is covered above.

How many wineries in Santorini should I visit in one day?

Three is ideal, and it fits in a half-day: enough variety to compare styles without overwhelming your palate. Four is the most we'd suggest, as a full day with a proper lunch break in the middle. More than four and your tasting notes blur together.

Do I need reservations at Santorini wineries?

June through September, yes for popular ones. Sigalas books a week or more ahead. Sunset sessions at Venetsanos and Santo Wines fill 3-5 days out. Smaller wineries like Gavalas and Canava Roussos are more relaxed, usually welcome walk-ins. May and October, most places take walk-ins without issues.

Which is the best winery in Santorini for sunset?

Santo Wines Santorini has the largest terrace and the most dramatic position, straight across the caldera. Venetsanos Winery offers a similar view with more intimate atmosphere and better food pairings. Both excellent. One sunset to spend? Venetsanos edges it for overall experience. Santo Wines wins for pure spectacle.

Is Santorini wine good, or is it just the setting?

The wine is excellent. Santorini's Assyrtiko is considered one of the great white wines of the Mediterranean. Volcanic terroir creates mineral intensity you can't replicate anywhere else. Estate Argyros and Domaine Sigalas produce bottles that compete at international level. The setting makes the experience better, but the wine stands on its own.

Can I ship wine home from Santorini wineries?

Some offer shipping, but it's expensive and unreliable for small quantities. Most people pack 2-3 bottles in checked luggage wrapped in clothing. Wine shops in Fira sell bubble-wrap sleeves designed for suitcases. Duty-free limits vary by country. US visitors can usually bring 1-2 liters duty-free.

Are Santorini winery tours worth it vs. visiting independently?

Guided winery tours start at €140 per person in a small group, according to Santorini Wine Adventure's published prices, and include transport, a guide, and pre-arranged tastings at 2-3 wineries. Worth it if you don't want to drive Santorini's narrow, busy summer roads. Going independently with a private driver gives more flexibility on timing and winery selection. We arrange both for guests at Aroma Suites.

How much does wine tasting cost in Santorini?

Most standard Santorini tastings run between EUR 10 and EUR 55, depending on the producer and the flight you choose. Smaller family wineries sit at the lower end: Gavalas EUR 10-20, Canava Roussos about EUR 3 a sample. Estate Argyros is EUR 15-40 and Santo Wines EUR 18-55; Venetsanos doesn't publish its prices. Premium guided experiences climb higher: Domaine Sigalas up to EUR 150 and Hatzidakis up to EUR 160. For a three-winery day, plan on roughly EUR 40-80 per person for tastings alone.

Can you walk the vineyards at Santorini wineries?

At some estates, yes. Boutari has a nice vineyard walk, and Estate Argyros, which owns 120+ hectares with some vines over 200 years old, explains the kouloura training method, the basket-shaped nests that shield grapes from the wind. May is the prettiest time to see it, when the vines are in full leaf before harvest. Confirm when you book, since not every tasting includes a vineyard visit.

Are there any wineries near Oia in northern Santorini?

Most of Santorini's wineries sit in the south, clustered around Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Episkopi Gonias, rather than in Oia itself. The closest notable estate to the north is Domaine Sigalas, in Baxes near Oia, which makes it the obvious pick if you are staying up there. The southern wineries are still a comfortable drive away, so a full winery day works well even from the northern end of the island.

Book your Santorini Wine experience

Best way to explore wineries in Santorini: base yourself somewhere central. Aroma Suites sits in central Fira, caldera views from almost every suite, every winery on the island within a 20-minute drive. We arrange wine tours and private drivers for guests who want a planned day, or we mark up a map and send you off on your own.

If your trip is still coming together, our 3-day itinerary shows how to fit wineries alongside the island's other highlights. Our hidden gems guide covers villages and spots most visitors overlook.

Check room availability and book direct for the best rates. Book three nights or more direct and we'll leave a bottle of local Santorini wine in your room.