50m²
Honeymoon Suite
Cave suite with caldera-facing veranda — designed for couples and milestone trips.
View roomSantorini'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. The volcanic soil creates flavors you won't find anywhere else on earth.
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.
For a broader look at tastings, tours, and what to expect from Santorini's wines, read our complete wine tasting guide.
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 10-25 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 5:30 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, unobstructed views across to the volcanic islands. On a clear evening, the sunset here stops you mid-sentence.
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: EUR 12-28 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
Built into the caldera cliff in 1947. Original gravity-fed design still visible, wine flows downward through production stages because the location had no electricity. That engineering story alone makes the tour worthwhile.
Caldera views match Santo Wines. Atmosphere is more refined. Fewer tour buses, smaller terrace, better food pairings. 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 15-35 (premium flights available) 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. Less Instagram-ready than the caldera wineries. But real substance in the glass. The kind of place that changes how you think about Greek wine.
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 12-40 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
The winery sommeliers recommend. Robert Parker acclaim, wines regularly above 90 points. Exceptional whites. One of the few on Santorini making an impressive red from the rare Mavrotragano grape.
The tasting feels closer to a wine estate in Burgundy than a tourist attraction in Greece. Small production. Serious approach. Staff who 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. Not cheap. Worth every euro.
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 inside a 300-year-old cave, contemporary art installations between the barrels Tasting price: EUR 10-20 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 cave that has been making wine for three centuries. 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: EUR 10-12 (includes museum entry) Reservation: Not required Signature wines: Assyrtiko, Vinsanto Best time to visit: Morning, before the afternoon heat Website: kwm.gr
Not a winery in the traditional sense. A wine museum carved 8 meters underground into a natural cave. Life-size wax figures demonstrating 300 years of winemaking traditions. Antique presses, tools, barrels lining 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. EUR 10 including tastings is the best value wine experience on the island. 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 10-20 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
Smaller operations. Not on most tourist itineraries. That's 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 8-15 Reservation: Not usually needed Signature wines: Katsano, Voudomato, Nykteri, Vinsanto Best time to visit: Anytime Website: gavalaswines.gr
The winery locals drink from. 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: The anti-Santo Wines experience. In the best way. Modest tasting room. Charming village of Megalochori. Surprising wines. 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: EUR 8-15 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. Which means you're more likely to have a personal, unhurried visit. Owner or family member often pours. You sit, talk, taste, lose track of time. Wines are solid, Vinsanto is excellent, EUR 8-10 tasting fee 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: Recommended 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 wife Stella runs the estate now. 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 | 10-25 | Recommended | First-timers, sunset |
| Venetsanos | Megalochori | Caldera (great) | Very good | 12-28 | Recommended | Views without crowds |
| Estate Argyros | Episkopi Gonias | Vineyard | Excellent | 15-35 | Recommended | Serious wine lovers |
| Domaine Sigalas | Baxes, Oia | Vineyard | Excellent | 12-150 | Essential | Wine connoisseurs |
| Art Space | Exo Gonia | Cave (no view) | Good | 10-20 | Walk-in OK | Unique experience |
| Koutsoyannopoulos | Vothonas | Underground | Average | 10-12 | Not needed | History, families |
| Boutari | Megalochori | Garden | Good | 10-20 | Not needed | Beginners |
| Gavalas | Megalochori | Village | Very good | 8-15 | Not needed | Rare grape varieties |
| Canava Roussos | Episkopi Gonias | Rustic | Good | 8-15 | Not needed | Intimate atmosphere |
| Hatzidakis | Pyrgos Kallistis | Vineyard | Excellent | 40-160 | Recommended | Organic wine fans |
The best self-drive winery day: our recommended route
Renting a car (which we can arrange from the hotel) lets you 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. Santo Wines for the biggest terrace and most dramatic views. Both excellent as the light turns golden.
Sunset route (Best for the experience)
Flip the order. Start at Argyros around 2 PM. Move through Gavalas. 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. Seriously. Santorini's roads are narrow, steep, and busy in summer. More than 2 wineries, book a guided wine tour or hire a private 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 range from EUR 8 to EUR 40, depending on the producer and flight.
Budget tastings (EUR 8-15): Gavalas, Canava Roussos, Koutsoyannopoulos Museum, Boutari. Three to five wines, sometimes a small snack pairing.
Mid-range tastings (EUR 15-28): Estate Argyros, Venetsanos, Santo Wines. Four to six 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. Reserve and single-vineyard wines, often with guided food pairings included.
Realistic budget 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 is often cheaper 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 Akrotiri, with a few notable estates in the north. They sit a short drive apart, so you can comfortably visit three or four in an afternoon, ideally finishing at a caldera-view terrace for sunset. The full list, with tasting prices, opening hours, and how to reach each one, is covered in detail above.
How many wineries in Santorini should I visit in one day?
Three is ideal. Enough variety to compare styles without overwhelming your palate. Serious wine people can manage four 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 (EUR 80-150 per person) 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 rental car or private driver gives more flexibility on timing and winery selection. We arrange both for guests at Aroma Suites.
What's the difference between this guide and a wine tasting guide?
Our Santorini wine tasting guide covers the full experience: what wines to expect, how tastings work, guided tour vs. self-drive, food pairing tips. This article focuses on individual wineries, honest rankings, prices, practical details to help you choose which ones match what you're looking for.
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 every suite, every winery on the island within a 20-minute drive. We arrange wine tours, car rentals, 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.
How much does wine tasting cost in Santorini?
Most Santorini tastings run between EUR 8 and EUR 40, depending on the producer and the flight you choose. Smaller family wineries like Gavalas and Canava Roussos sit at the lower end (EUR 8-15), while estates such as Estate Argyros, Venetsanos, and Santo Wines fall in the EUR 15-28 range. Premium guided experiences at Hatzidakis and Domaine Sigalas climb higher. 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.
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