Santorini Guide
Enjoy the best this fascinating island has to offer you! Learn about the volcanic vineyards and the unique gastronomy of Santorini, discover attractions and don’t forget to check out our restaurant choices.
The historic Santorini wine region is 3.500-years old, considered by many as one of the most important vineyards across the Mediterranean Sea and even the whole world. Besides the historic importance of the Santorini region, there are some characteristics that make it unique in the wine history of the world. The volcanic soil of Santorini is the main reason why the wines of the island have a strong character due to its totally different composition.The cultivation methods also differ from other wine regions, as the vines grown in a circular style (called kouloures) in order to be protected from the wind and to keep the morning humidity inside the plant, as this is the only water that they receive along with the rainfalls.
Want to learn more about the Santorini vineyard ? Book a seat at the Santorini Wine Roads Tour, Cooking & Tasting Experience Tour, Santorini Hidden Treats Tour, Greek Food & Wine Tasting Tour, Honeymoon Delight Tour or Discover Santorini Tour.
The Santorini Wines Schedule.
The vine harvest in Santorini takes place in late August. This is a call for celebration and an event that the people of Santorini look forward to all year long. The wine harvesting is called vedema and every variety receives a different treatment. For example, the making of the Vinsanto wine requires a quantity of the harvested grapes to be dried in the sun for 12-14 days before they are crushed and fermented. This, along with a wait of at least two years, is what helps create this unique, dessert orange-golden coloured wine, the world famous Vinsanto. As for the Nychteri variety, the main work takes place at night, hence the name “Nychteri”, which means “working at night”.
Do you want to know how Santorini’s wines are made? Then embark on the Santorini Wine Roads Tour, Cooking & Tasting Experience Tour, Santorini Hidden Treats Tour, Greek Food & Wine Tasting Tour, Honeymoon Delight Tour, or Discover Santorini Tour designed by Santorini Wine Tour!
Wine harvesting in the past.
In the past, winemakers preferred hand-pickers for the harvesting ofthe grapes, in order to ensure a more careful treatment of the fruit when being picked and placed into hampers. In those days the whole village was involved in the grape harvest celebrations, as it was a special occasion, carrying with it several local customs. Not only was a notable financial resource, but also a chance for people to entertain themselves during those hard years. The fiesta was panctuated by girls stepping out to meet young men, donkeys carrying the grapes to the Canaves( wineries), people with naked feet pressing the grapes and Vedema songs playing. The grape pressers put fresh basil behind their ears to help them not to feel dizzy while pressing the grapes, and wore cloth on their heads to prevent the sweat from falling into the grape juice.
The history of Santorini wine unfolds at the following tours: Santorini Wine Roads Tour, Cooking & Tasting Experience Tour, Santorini Hidden Treats Tour, Greek Food & Wine Tasting Tour, Honeymoon Delight Tour, Discover Santorini Tour.
Santorini, with it’s unique volcanic caldera, is one of the most famous destinations across the world! Welcome to a spectacular island where natural beauty meets a series of intriguing sights and points of interest! Come along as we are about to start an introductory tour around the best attractions of Santorini before embarking in one of the Santorini Wine Tour Co to see and feel for yourself the magnificence of Santorini.
The Caldera
The reason that brings you to Santorini is the unique geological phenomenon of the caldera! The caldera of Santorini was created by the massive volcanic eruption that occurred 3.500 years ago and gave to Santorini its current shape. The formerly circular island became a “half-moon” shaped land as the lava sank a great part of the island. It took years for the people to return to the island and for the soil to obtain its current composition. The caldera of Santorini is probably one of the most photographed places on earth and the evocative natural environment creates images of unique beauty.
All tours of Santorini Wine Tour include information about the unique caldera of Santorini!
The History
The civilizations that developed on Santorini have left their marks on various spots on the island. We are kicking off from the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri. The city with the two-story buildings and the sophisticated water supply system is home to one of the most important prehistoric civilizations that flourished in the Mediterranean Sea, destroyed by the volcanic eruption but still showing the signs of the higher life level in Akrotiri even 3.500 years ago.
A stop and a guided tour in Akrotiri is included on the Discover Santorini Tour or you can add it as a stop if you want to design a private tour with Santorini Wine Tour Co.
The colorful frescoes from Akrotiri are exhibited in the Museum of Prehistoric Thera. Other stops available on a private tour with Santorini Wine Tour may include stops at the Ancient Thera at the top of Mesa Vouno where Spartan settlers built a city on the 8th century BC. Today you can see there the Agora, temples and the buildings that consist the city alongside a stunning view to the Aegean Sea.
The Beaches
The beaches of Santorini obtain unusual colours! Black, white and red are some of the sand and rock colors you will find on the beaches of Santorini! The volcanic heritage of the island resulted in famous beaches like the Red Beach, the black sandy beaches of Kamari, Perivolos and Perissa, whereas at the beach of Vlychada you will see the white, volcanic rocks that create a unique, captivating atmosphere! The natural beaches of Santorini are also black with rock formations that will amaze you.
A stop at a Santorini black beach is included at the Santorini Hidden Treats Tour but you can visit more beaches if you organize a private tour with Santorini Wine Tour!
The Villages
Every village of Santorini has its’ own distinctive character! We start from the capital of Fira with the stunning caldera view, the museum of Prehistoric Thera, the Archaeological Museum, the restaurants, the cafes and the shops where you feel the vibrancy of Santorini. The villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli also offer gorgeous views to thecaldera plus some cafes and restaurants choices. We are now moving to the north part of the island and the picturesque village of Oia. Mansions and cave houses create a magical atmosphere! The famous sunset will fill you with beautiful feelings! Let’s now move on to the villages of the hinterland of Santorini. The medieval village of Pyrgos, the castle city of Emporeio, the Goulas (fortified fortress) in Akrotiri, the atmospheric village of Mesa Gonia, the tranquil village of Megalochori are ready to unveil their beauty to their visitors!
Selected stops are included in the Santorini Hidden Treats Tour or you can include more at a private tour with Santorini Wine Tour.
Unique as the island of Santorini, the gastronomy of Santorini it is the reason that visitors who set foot on this fertile land find the experience hard to forget. The volcanic soil and unique climate is what gives to the products of Santorini their distinctive, almost explosive taste! Let’s try them out now one by one.
Cherry Tomato
The first seeds came from Egypt at the beginning of the 18th century and gained in the soil of Santorini developed a distinctive flavor. Glowing red color, curly and thick skin and an explosive taste when you bite it! The Santorini cherry tomato grows without water except for the morning mist, and, much like the grapes was one of the main exported products of the island during the last two centuries. The cherry tomatoes of Santorini have gained a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) recognition.
Fava Beans
This type of yellow legumes is probably the most historic product of Santorini as it has been cultivated on the island for the past 3.500 years! The Santorini fava bean belongs to the Lathyrus Clymenum variety and has a distinct and fuller taste than any other fava! You will taste it in every restaurant and taverna of the island whereas, if you follow the Greek Food & Wine Tasting Tour or the Cooking & Tasting Experience Tour of Santorini Wine Tour, you will even have the chance to learn how to cook it. The Santorinian Fava is a PDO product as well!
White Aubergine
The aubergines of Santorini are white, sweeter and absorb less oil when cooked! Do not miss out on the opportunity to try them!
Capers
Like in all Cycladic islands, capers hold a special place in every dish dishes! Added as a final touch in a salad and a main ingredient in numerous traditional dishes, the capers of Santorini have a more fruity and salty taste that will excite your palate! Traditional Dishes. Besides the Santorini salad, made with Santorini cherry tomatoes, onions, capers and a traditional local cheese called chloro, you will also have to taste fava cooked with onions, caper or even octopus. Moreover, the tomato balls are among the famous, only-made-in-Santorini tastes that you have to discover.
Traditional Desserts
Two are the main desserts of Santorini; koufeto, a combination of local honey and almonds offered at weddings and the Melitinia, a thin pastry with local cheese, offered especially during Easter. You can find these delicious treats in almost every bakery and confectionary shop around the island.
You feel like want to know more about the gastronomic scene of Santorini? Then it is time to book at the Santorini Wine Roads Tour, Cooking & Tasting Experience Tour, Santorini Hidden Treats Tour, Greek Food & Wine Tasting Tour, Honeymoon Delight Tour or Discover Santorini Tour!
Oia
Casual
⬤ Roka
⬤ Thalami
⬤ Petros Fish Restaurant
⬤ Meletini
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Red Bycicle
⬤ Sphinx
⬤ Ambrosia
Imerovigli
Casual
⬤ Anogi
⬤ Kofini
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Throuby by Andronis
⬤ Athenean
Firostefani
Casual
⬤ Aktaion
⬤ Ginger (sushi)
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Mylos
Perissa
Casual
⬤ Popai
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Saffran
Amoudi
Casual
⬤ Dimitris
⬤ Sunset
⬤ Katina
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Amoudi
Finikia
Casual
⬤ Meze Meze
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Lefkes
Fira
Casual
⬤ Argo
⬤ Ouzeri
⬤ Tsipouradiko
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Koukoumavlos
⬤ Assyrtiko
Pyrgos
Casual
⬤ Selene Meze
⬤ Metaxi mas
⬤ Anemoloo
Fusion - Creative
⬤ Selene
⬤ Boutargo
