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Private 2-Island Wine Tour | Santorini & Thirassia by Sea Taxi
Duration: 4
Overview
There is only one winery on Thirassia — and this is the only tour that takes you there. This private 2-island wine tour begins with a sea taxi ride from Santorini to the peaceful, crowd-free island of Thirassia, where you’ll visit Mikra Thira Winery — the first and only winery ever built on the island. Named after the ancient term for “Little Santorini,” Mikra Thira sits on land that was once part of Santorini itself, separated by the volcanic eruption of 1600 BC. Your certified sommelier will guide you through a premium tasting of its wines, produced from the same volcanic terroir that makes this corner of the Aegean one of the world’s most distinctive wine regions.
After exploring the unhurried charm of Thirassia and its village of Manolas, your private sea taxi returns you to Santorini, where the tour continues at a second top-rated winery — completing an experience that no standard Santorini wine tour can match.
Over 4 hours, you will cross two islands, visit two wineries, taste 8 premium local wines, and discover a side of the Aegean that most visitors never see. For travelers looking for something genuinely different — one of the most exclusive and unusual things to do in Santorini — this is it.
Included / Exluded
What to Expect
Why choose this tour
The crossing to Thirassia by private sea taxi takes only a few minutes, but it delivers you to a completely different pace of island life — no tour coaches, no crowds, no gift shops. Thirassia is quiet, authentic, and almost entirely undiscovered by mainstream tourism. The village of Manolas, perched above the port, looks exactly as it did decades ago.
And at the top of that island sits Mikra Thira Winery: the first winery ever established on Thirassia. Its wines are grown from volcanic soil with the same ancient character as Santorini’s, but with a story and a setting that very few visitors ever get to experience in person.
After Thirassia, the tour returns to Santorini for a second winery visit — bringing the tasting count to 8 wines across two islands, two terroirs, and one exceptional private afternoon.
You will:
- Travel by private sea taxi between two Aegean islands
- Visit Mikra Thira — Thirassia’s first and only winery
- Explore Manolas village, one of the Aegean’s most unspoiled settlements
- Taste 8 premium volcanic wines with a certified sommelier
- Visit a second top-rated Santorini winery on your return
- Pair wines with Cycladic local bites
- Experience one of the most exclusive and unusual tours in Santorini
What makes Thirassia wine unique
Thirassia and Santorini were once a single island, torn apart by the massive volcanic eruption of around 1600 BC. The soil on both islands shares the same volcanic composition — rich in minerals, low in organic matter, and extraordinarily stressful for the vine.
That stress is precisely what makes the wines so expressive. Vines on Thirassia, like those on Santorini, are trained in the traditional basket shape (kouloura) to protect the grapes from fierce Aegean winds. The result is wines of intense minerality, bright acidity, and remarkable concentration — grown from some of the oldest ungrafted vines in the world.
Mikra Thira is the first winery to bottle and present these wines formally, making this tour a rare opportunity to taste a wine region that is, in the truest sense, just beginning.
Itinerary
Sea Taxi Crossing — Ammoudi Port, Santorini to Riva Port, Thirassia
Your private sea taxi departs from Ammoudi Port at the base of Oia's cliffs. The crossing is brief but spectacular, with views across the caldera as you travel between the two islands.
Mikra Thira Winery, Thirassia
It is the first winery to be built in Therasia, the small island that was a part of Santorini until the great volcanic eruption of 1600BC. Here, you can savor a selection of local wines, each carefully chosen to represent the unique flavors of the region. The winery is a highlight of bespoke tours that promise privacy, personalized service, and a chance to immerse oneself in authentic Greek charm. During your visit, you’ll gain insights into the wine production process, the local terroir, and the distinct tasting profiles that make Thirassian wines so special.
Manolas Village, Thirassia
Perched above the port, Manolas is one of the most authentic and unhurried villages in the Cyclades. With no cruise ship crowds and no tour buses, it offers a glimpse of Aegean island life as it used to be — whitewashed lanes, local tavernas, and panoramic views back toward Santorini's caldera cliffs.
OENO P Winery, Santorini
Located by the sea near the Kolumbo volcano in Oia, OENO P, established in 2017, crafts high-quality wines from Santorini’s volcanic terroir. It is a must-visit for wine lovers because it uses local grapes like Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani. It has been praised worldwide for its great wines and beautiful location.
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Your private sea taxi departs from Ammoudi Port at the base of Oia’s cliffs. The crossing is brief but spectacular, with views across the caldera as you travel between the two islands.
It is the first winery to be built in Therasia, the small island that was a part of Santorini until the great volcanic eruption of 1600BC. Here, you can savor a selection of local wines, each carefully chosen to represent the unique flavors of the region. The winery is a highlight of bespoke tours that promise privacy, personalized service, and a chance to immerse oneself in authentic Greek charm. During your visit, you’ll gain insights into the wine production process, the local terroir, and the distinct tasting profiles that make Thirassian wines so special.
Perched above the port, Manolas is one of the most authentic and unhurried villages in the Cyclades. With no cruise ship crowds and no tour buses, it offers a glimpse of Aegean island life as it used to be — whitewashed lanes, local tavernas, and panoramic views back toward Santorini’s caldera cliffs.
Located by the sea near the Kolumbo volcano in Oia, OENO P, established in 2017, crafts high-quality wines from Santorini’s volcanic terroir. It is a must-visit for wine lovers because it uses local grapes like Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani. It has been praised worldwide for its great wines and beautiful location.
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Map
Important Information
Meeting Point
Wineries
Helicopter Rides
Participants must be 18 years of age or older to join this wine tour, in accordance with our alcohol consumption policy and local regulations. Guests under 18 are not permitted to participate.
Parts of Santorini are built on steep streets which makes parking very difficult or impossible. For this reason, there may be instances where we cannot access your specific hotel, but we will try and get as close to your hotel as possible. We will send you the correct instructions and pick-up point after your booking.
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Private
Cancellation Policy
Tour FAQ
Yes, for guests arriving by cruise ship, we offer skip-the-line assistance for shore excursions in Santorini, helping you avoid long waiting times at the cable car.
We can also arrange private water taxi transfers (upon request and subject to availability):
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€150 per way (1–8 people, maximum capacity) for disembarkation to Ammoudi Bay
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€200 per way (1–8 people, maximum capacity) for disembarkation to Athinios Port
In the event of adverse weather conditions, we will work with you to either reschedule the tour or provide a full refund if you have no other available days on the island or have other scheduled activities.
We take a sea taxi from Ammoudi Port in Santorini to Riva Port in Thirassia. From there, a transfer will be waiting for us to take us to Manolas village, and then on to the winery.
Yes! If you’re celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, let us know, and we’ll make it even more memorable with a personalized touch.
This is an exclusive private tour just for you and your group, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to your interests.
Wine tasting is only available to guests of the legal drinking age. Children and non-drinkers are welcome to join the tour, but we recommend a minimum age of 12 for a more enjoyable experience.
Not sure yet?
You can contact us at any time and get a personalized itinerary or ask away any of your questions before booking.