Santorini Wine Harvest 2027

Santorini’s grape harvest begins in late September each year, marking the opening of the island’s wine tourism season and the most atmospheric time to visit. The harvest typically runs from late September through early October, with early grape varieties picked first and Assyrtiko - the island’s signature white grape - harvested through October depending on the season.

Santorini’s volcanic soil and the island’s distinctive kouloura vine training method (grapes grown in low basket shapes close to the ground) produce wines unlike any others in Greece. The Assyrtiko grape, in particular, yields a high-acid, mineral white wine with international recognition well beyond the Greek market.

Wine Tourism During Harvest Season

Several of Santorini’s wineries offer harvest-participation experiences during the picking season - a chance to join vineyard workers in the picking, followed by a meal and tasting. These need to be booked directly with individual wineries and fill up quickly; enquire with Santo Wines, Domaine Sigalas, Estate Argyros, and Venetsanos Winery from August onwards.

Standard winery visits and tastings run year-round but are particularly rewarding during harvest: the smell of fermenting grapes in the pressing areas and the activity across the vineyards make it a fuller sensory experience than at other times of year.

Why Harvest Season is a Good Time to Visit

Late September and October represent a strong window for Santorini:

• Temperatures are warm (24–28°C in September, 20–24°C in October) but more manageable than peak summer
• Crowds are significantly lower than July and August - particularly useful for caldera views and restaurant bookings in Oia and Fira
• Accommodation prices drop sharply after mid-September - often 30–50% below August rates
• Ferry and flight availability is better than in peak summer

Getting to Santorini

Santorini is served by Santorini (Thira) Airport with direct flights from Athens (45 minutes) and, in season, from several European cities. Ferries from Piraeus take approximately 5–8 hours depending on service type. For ferry booking advice, see our Greek island ferry guide.

Wine tours and winery visits on Santorini? Browse Santorini wine experiences and island tours on GetYourGuide - several operators run harvest-season specialties combining vineyard visits with caldera sunset viewing.