The Best Wineries in Santorini, Greece: Your Guide to Wine Tasting & Wine Tours
Santorini is famous for its whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches and spectacular caldera views, but wine lovers know the island for something equally special: its centuries-old winemaking tradition.
Thanks to volcanic soil, strong Aegean winds and a dry climate, Santorini produces some of Greece’s most distinctive wines. From crisp Assyrtiko whites to sweet Vinsanto dessert wines, exploring the island’s wineries is one of the best ways to experience a different side of Santorini.
Whether you’re looking for incredible views, food and wine pairings or a deeper understanding of the island’s unique wine culture, these are the wineries worth adding to your itinerary.
A Brief History of Winemaking in Santorini
Wine has been produced on Santorini for thousands of years, making it one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Long before the island became a popular tourist destination, locals were cultivating grapes and producing wines that were exported across the Mediterranean.
The island’s volcanic soil plays a major role in shaping its wines. Rich in minerals and naturally resistant to phylloxera (the pest that devastated vineyards across much of Europe), Santorini’s vines remain ungrafted and are often remarkably old. Some vineyards contain vines that are well over a century in age.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Santorini viticulture is the kouloura training system, which refers to a centuries-old method stemming from Santorini. It consists of weaving vines into basket-like shapes close to the ground to protect grapes from strong winds and intense sunshine. This unique method helps trap moisture from the sea air while shielding the fruit from the elements.
Today, Santorini’s wines are recognised globally for their freshness, minerality and distinctive character, making the island one of Greece’s most important wine destinations.
Wines You Should Try in Santorini
Assyrtiko
Santorini’s flagship grape variety, Assyrtiko, is known for its crisp acidity, citrus flavours and pronounced mineral character. Even in the island’s hot climate, it retains remarkable freshness, making it one of Greece’s most celebrated wines.
Nykteri
Traditionally made from late-harvested Assyrtiko grapes, Nykteri is a richer, fuller-bodied white wine often aged in oak. Expect notes of stone fruit, honey and spice alongside the grape’s signature acidity.
Vinsanto
Santorini’s famous dessert wine is made from sun-dried grapes, creating a sweet yet balanced wine with flavours of dried apricot, fig, honey and caramel. It’s one of the island’s most historic and sought-after styles.
Mavrotragano
A rare indigenous red grape variety, Mavrotragano produces rich, structured wines with dark fruit flavours and excellent ageing potential. While Santorini is primarily known for white wines, this variety is becoming increasingly popular among wine enthusiasts.
The Best Wineries to Visit in Santorini
Artemis Karamolegos Winery
One of the island’s most innovative producers, Artemis Karamolegos, is a fantastic place to discover just how diverse Assyrtiko can be. The winery works with vineyards from across Santorini, producing everything from fresh, approachable whites to complex, age-worthy wines. We visit Artemis Karamolegos on both our Greek Island Hopper and Greek Island Explorer tours, and it’s consistently one of the most memorable experiences for our guests.
What to try: The flagship Santorini Assyrtiko is an excellent introduction to the variety, while wine enthusiasts should look out for the winery’s single-vineyard expressions. If available, don’t miss the Mystirio Orange Wine, made using skin-contact techniques that create a richer, more textured style.
Why visit: The winery offers guided tastings in a modern setting and is home to Aroma Avlis, one of Santorini’s best winery restaurants. It’s a great option for travellers wanting to pair local wines with traditional Greek dishes.
Estate Argyros
Founded in 1903, Estate Argyros is one of Santorini’s most respected wineries and has played a major role in elevating the island’s wines on the international stage. The estate owns some of the oldest vineyards on Santorini, with many vines over a century old. Its reputation for producing world-class Assyrtiko has made it a benchmark producer both in Greece and internationally.
What to try: Their Estate Assyrtiko is considered one of the benchmark examples of the grape. If you’re interested in dessert wines, the estate’s Vinsanto is widely regarded as one of the best on the island.
Why visit: This is a must-visit for serious wine lovers looking to learn more about Santorini’s terroir, vineyard history and traditional grape varieties.
Domaine Sigalas
Located on the northern side of the island near Oia, Domaine Sigalas has built a reputation for producing elegant wines that showcase native Santorini grapes. The winery is particularly known for highlighting lesser-known local varieties alongside the island’s famous Assyrtiko.
What to try: The Assyrtiko-Athiri blend is a local favourite, while the winery’s barrel-aged Assyrtiko offers a richer interpretation of the island’s signature grape.
Why visit: The winery’s restaurant is one of the highlights, with tasting menus designed to complement the wines. Its location also makes it an easy addition to a day spent exploring Oia.
Vassaltis Vineyards
One of Santorini’s newer wineries, Vassaltis, combines contemporary design with a strong focus on quality winemaking. Despite being relatively young, it has quickly become a favourite among visitors. Its fresh approach has helped establish it as one of the most exciting names in Santorini’s modern wine scene.
What to try: The Santorini Assyrtiko and Gramina cuvée are particularly popular, showcasing the freshness and minerality the island is known for.
Why visit: The stylish tasting room and restaurant offer a modern winery experience, while the vineyard views provide a quieter alternative to some of the busier caldera locations.
Venetsanos Winery
Built in 1947, Venetsanos was the first industrial winery on Santorini and remains one of the island’s most photographed wine destinations. The winery’s unique architecture was designed to take advantage of the island’s steep caldera cliffs and gravity-fed winemaking techniques.
What to try: Their Assyrtiko and Nykteri are excellent examples of traditional Santorini styles.
Why visit: The main attraction here is undoubtedly the view. Perched high above the caldera, it offers one of the most spectacular wine-tasting settings on the island, especially around sunset.
Gaia Winery
Set inside a converted tomato factory just metres from the sea, Gaia Winery offers one of the most unique winery locations in Santorini. Its coastal setting creates a completely different atmosphere from many of the island’s vineyard-based wineries.
What to try: Gaia’s Wild Ferment Assyrtiko has become one of the island’s most recognised wines, combining intense minerality with added complexity from barrel fermentation.
Why visit: The seaside setting feels completely different to the caldera wineries and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about modern Santorini winemaking.
Hatzidakis Winery
Known for its small-batch production and commitment to traditional methods, Hatzidakis has become one of Santorini’s most respected boutique wineries. The winery has earned a loyal following among wine enthusiasts for its authentic expression of the island’s indigenous grape varieties.
What to try: The Santorini Assyrtiko and Nykteri are standout wines, while the Mavrotragano offers a chance to try one of Greece’s rarest red grape varieties.
Why visit: Visitors often describe Hatzidakis as one of the most authentic winery experiences on the island, with a stronger focus on viticulture and craftsmanship than tourism.
Santo Wines
As the largest cooperative winery on the island, Santo Wines represents dozens of local growers and produces a broad range of Santorini wines. Its role in supporting local viticulture has made it an important part of Santorini’s winemaking community.
What to try: A tasting flight is the best option here, allowing you to compare Assyrtiko, Nykteri and Vinsanto side-by-side.
Why visit: If it’s your first winery in Santorini, Santo Wines provides a great overview of the island’s wine styles. The caldera views are among the best on the island and make it a popular sunset stop.
Art Space Winery
Part winery, part art gallery and part museum, Art Space offers a completely different experience from Santorini’s larger estates. The historic cave complex provides fascinating insight into both the island’s artistic and winemaking heritage.
What to try: The winery produces small quantities of Assyrtiko and Vinsanto that reflect the island’s traditional winemaking heritage.
Why visit: Tastings take place inside atmospheric cave cellars carved into the volcanic rock. Combined with contemporary art exhibitions and displays on local winemaking history, it’s one of Santorini’s most unique cultural attractions.
Which Santorini Winery Is Right for You?
Best for sunset views: Venetsanos Winery, Santo Wines
Best for food and wine pairings: Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Domaine Sigalas
Best for serious wine lovers: Estate Argyros, Hatzidakis Winery
Best modern winery experience: Vassaltis Vineyards
Most unique setting: Gaia Winery, Art Space Winery
Best all-round introduction to Santorini wine: Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Santo Wines
Santorini’s wineries offer far more than wine tasting. They provide a window into the island’s history, culture and unique volcanic landscape. Whether you’re enjoying a sunset tasting overlooking the caldera, learning about centuries-old vineyard traditions or discovering the crisp minerality of Assyrtiko for the first time, a winery visit is one of the most memorable experiences Santorini has to offer.
For guests travelling on our Greek Island tours, a wine tasting experience at Artemis Karamolegos Winery is already included, offering the perfect introduction to Santorini’s world-renowned wine culture. It’s a chance to sample local varieties, learn about the island’s unique winemaking traditions and experience a side of Santorini that many visitors miss.
If you have extra time on the island, consider visiting a few additional wineries between sightseeing and beach days. From dramatic caldera viewpoints to family-run cellar doors and vineyard restaurants, each offers its own unique perspective on what makes Santorini one of the world’s most fascinating wine destinations.
