Most visitors know Mykonos for its sand and its sunsets, but the island also has a quiet inland side of stone walls, small farms and vines, and a tour with a wine tasting is the easy way to see it. Greek wine is having a moment, and the Cyclades have an old tradition of growing grapes in difficult, windy ground, with vines trained low to the earth to survive the north wind. On this tour you travel out of town into the Mykonian countryside, see how the land is farmed, and taste local wines, usually with tastes of local food such as cheese, olives and bread. It is a gentler, slower side of the island, and it works well on a day when the wind is up, when you want a break from the sun, or when you want something that is not a beach. The pace is relaxed, the group is small, and it is an easy way to meet other travellers.
How it works
You book a start time and are met at a pick-up point or make your way to the meeting place named on your ticket. The tour lasts a few hours, with time to look around, taste several wines and ask questions of the host. Because it includes alcohol, it is for adults and for older teenagers with a parent’s permission, and anyone who is driving should skip the tasting or taste very lightly.
Tell the host about allergies and dietary needs when you book, since the food that goes with the wine is often cheese, bread and local produce.
What you will taste
The exact wines vary by producer and year, so treat this as a guide to Greek wine in general. Many tastings feature Aegean white varieties such as Assyrtiko, which is grown on Santorini and elsewhere in the Cyclades, and Athiri, along with a rosé and a red or two, often with a local sweet wine to finish.
The hosts usually explain how the island’s wind, poor soil and tiny yields shape the wine, and what makes Greek varieties different from the better-known French and Italian grapes. If you enjoy wine, ask which bottles you can buy to take home, and whether the producer can ship.
Season and weather
The island’s countryside is at its greenest in spring, and golden and dry from June to September. Wine tours run most often from April to October, when the farms are open and the days are long, and the late-afternoon tastings in summer are especially pleasant because the heat eases and the light is soft. In winter the days are short, tours are fewer, and the countryside is quiet, so confirm availability for your dates. Wear sun protection in summer and bring a light jacket for evenings.
Making the most of it
Eat a light breakfast so you can enjoy the tasting, drink water between glasses and pace yourself. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven ground and bring a hat in summer. The tour pairs well with a visit to Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, which sit in the island’s quiet interior, and with a sunset in Little Venice. If you want a longer evening, follow the tasting with dinner in a village taverna, and if you are curious about local cooking, add a cooking class on another day.
What to expect
The experience
A guided countryside tour with a tasting of several local wines and small bites of food, led by a local host.
Best time
A late-afternoon tasting from May to September, when the heat eases and the light is soft.
How long
A few hours, including travel and the tasting.
Tips
Eat a light breakfast, drink water between glasses, wear comfortable shoes and do not drive after the tasting.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Wine and food lovers, couples and anyone who wants to see Mykonos beyond the beach.
- Families
- Best for adults and older teenagers, since the tasting is the main event; check the age policy with the operator.
- Couples
- A slow, scenic afternoon of wine and local food, and a good change from the beach and the town.
- Pair with
- The village of Ano Mera and the monastery of Panagia Tourliani, and an evening in a local taverna.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
What will I taste?+
Expect several local or Aegean wines, often with cheese, olives and bread. Greek varieties such as Assyrtiko and Athiri are common, but the exact wines depend on the producer.
Is it suitable for non-drinkers?+
The tasting is the main event, so it suits wine drinkers best, but the countryside and the food can still be enjoyed. Ask the operator whether a non-alcoholic option is available.
How long does the tour last?+
It lasts a few hours, including travel and the tasting, so plan on half a day.
When does it run?+
Tours run most often from April to October. Confirm availability for your dates if you travel in winter.
Can I buy wine to take home?+
Often yes. Ask the host which bottles are for sale and whether they can ship, and check your airline’s rules for carrying bottles.
