No trip to Santorini would be complete without sampling the amazing wine that is made on the island. You can find several famous vineyards in this popular Greek destination but our favorite has to be Santo Wines Santorini! Sipping on delicious whites and reds as you overlook the volcano and islands in the distance is truly an experience you won’t forget. Here’s how to visit this Santorini winery and why everyone loves this one-of-a-kind tasting with Santo.
Our First Visit to Santo Wines in 2015
Before we even started nothingfamiliar.com we visited Santorini in 2015 and spent a day exploring the island. At this point, we had only been wine tasting once before in California. Unsurprisingly, this would be nothing compared to what we would experience at Santo Winery!
We spent almost two hours taking in the view, enjoying different Santo wines, and our first trip to Greece. Since then we have been wine tasting everywhere from Mendoza Argentina to Queenstown New Zealand! Clearly, this visit to the Santorini Winery inspired us to do incredible tastings around the world.
Back to Santo Winery in 2022
When we booked our return trip to the island, Santo Wines was easily at the top of our list! We were actually coming from Thailand and planned to visit the Santorini winery later in the week.
However… After our first day, we took the bus to beautiful Red Beach and realized the Santo Wine was on the same route.
It must have been fate! We spent the morning swimming, hiking, and grabbing lunch in the town of Akrotiri. Yet, when it was time to head back to Fira we couldn’t help but make a stop.
Santo Wine Tip: We got a little lucky to get one of the best tables without a reservation. Even visiting in early May, most of the good spots were booked up! Try and make a reservation at Santo Wines prior to arriving.
What Makes Going to a Santorini Winery so Unique?
1. The island of Santorini is volcanic which means the soil has different minerals not found in other places in the world.
2. Due to the harsh windy climate and sun, the grapes are grown in a special way. The vines are wrapped into circular-shaped baskets to protect them from the elements.
3. There are over 40 different varieties of grapes on Santorini. However, not all of them are actually used for making wine!
4. Evidence has been found that they’ve been making wine on this island for over 3,700 years.
5. Santorini is the most famous wine-producing island in Greece and the country continues to become more popular for its wine.
Delicious Santo Wine Tastings
At the time of our visit, there were 4 different flights offered at Santo Winery! We shared the 10 Wines for €42 which was perfect to sample a large variety.
Also, the portions were great for the two of us to share. It came with small snacks on the side which were a great addition to our Santo wines. Below is a break down of our own tasting!
10 Wines Tasting: Santo Sparking White, Aidani, Assyrtiko, Nykteri, Assyrtiko Grande Reserve, Mavotragano, Mavrotragano Bio, Kameni, and Vinsanto 8 years Aging.
As you can see, this was an amazing way to experience all that Santo Wines in Santorini has to offer. Make sure to specifically try the Vinsanto as it’s one of the most famous from the island. There are also smaller sets of 4 and 6 or you can order single glasses and bottles, too.
Santo Wines With a View
The view from Santo Wines is one of the reasons the tasting is so incredible. If you’ve never been wine tasting before or don’t know much about wine, don’t worry!
The waiter will explain what order to taste in. Also, you are given a small tasting card that highlights the wines from your flight so you can learn about the different varieties.
This is a great way to spend the afternoon or even a fun place to catch the Santorini sunset. You may be surprised to find out our favorite sunset spot isn’t in Oia! Whether you go by yourself or visit as part of a longer winery tour, any wine lover will be overjoyed to do it in Santorini.
After Santo Winery: Check out Venetsanos Winery, Gavalas Winery, Domaine Sigalas, and Argyros if you’re looking for more vineyards after Santo.
Santo Wines Tour & Store
We haven’t taken the tour but plan to on our next trip to Santorini. We always love learning more about the wine-making process and what makes each winery so special. Santo Wines also has a restaurant where you can enjoy your meal paired with wine and the famous view.
Finally, there is a store that you can check out after your Santorini winery visit. One thing we loved is that they offer free shipping to the United States! It’s so awesome that you can send some Santo wine home for yourself or a gift for someone else.
Have any questions about Santo Wines Santorini or want to share your own experience? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
Where to Stay in Santorini Greece
Here are some hotel recommendations as well as inspiration for different areas of the island. As you can see, there is something for every type of traveler on Santorini!
Oia: Canaves Oia Epitome – Kastro Oia Houses – Allure Breeze Suites – The most iconic village in Santorini Greece with beautiful white-washed buildings & famous island and sunset views.
Fira: Atlantis Hotel – Pantelia Suites – Este Luxury Suites – The capital of Santorini is a great hub with lots of nightlife and shopping.
Imerovigli: Merovigliosso – Kasimatis by La Perla – Whitedeck Santorini – Traditional village with a laid-back feel. Yet still, with plenty of high-end hotels and restaurants.
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Santorini Travel Inspiration
- 20 Fun Things to do in Santorini Greece on Your First Visit
- 12 Fun Facts That Might Surprise You About Fira Santorini
- Fira to Oia Hike: Fun Guide to the Can’t Miss Santorini Trail
- Amoudi Bay Santorini: How to Explore the Charming Bay Below Oia Village
- How to Get to Santorini from Athens: 6 Helpful Tips to Know First
Explore all our Greece articles to help plan your trip! We cover everything from general travel tips to amazing destinations such as Santorini, Paros, Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete, Milos & more beautiful islands!
Greece Travel Planning
For island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies. The fast ferries like Sea Jets will cost more but often takes half the time of slower ferries like Blue Star!
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Athens to Santorini for under $50 USD!
Accommodation: Always compare multiple sites to get the best deal. We search both Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: You can book a rental car for as little as $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.
Tours: Go to Get Your Guide for hundreds of activities in Santorini. You can find everything from group sailing tours to private catamaran cruises. Go wine tasting around the island, horseback riding down the beach, or even jump on an ATV tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
