Wine plus cooking in one Rhodes afternoon.

I love how this tour pairs a vineyard and distillery visit with a certified sommelier-style wine tasting, so you get the story and the taste, not just samples. You also finish with a 10-course Greek lunch that turns the day from educational into genuinely satisfying. The only catch to flag up front: timing can feel a bit stretched on busier days, so arrive hungry and ready for a relaxed pace.

Why this tour is different in Rhodes

This is built like a full, food-and-wine day. You start outdoors with the vines, then you move into how Rhodes produces its well-known spirits. After that, there is a short cooking lesson where you help make traditional dishes, and then the long lunch arrives with wine kept flowing.

I like that the day is structured, but not too formal. You get hands-on moments (rolling and assembling at the cookery stage) and then you sit down for plates in a steady run.

The one thing to consider: the style of lunch

If you’re dreaming of a heavy, meat-only feast, you may be surprised. The menu is more Aegean mezze than prime-rib night, with lots of salads and vegetable dishes, and the cooking class is more short-and-fun than an all-day chef school.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Vineyard walk plus distillery stop: You tour the production process, then learn how molasses becomes souma & tsipouro.
• Wine tasting with a guide: Expect guided tasting focused on how vinification choices show up in the glass.
• Hands-on cooking class: You participate in making Rhodian favorites (often dishes like tzatziki, dolmades, and aubergine salad).
• 10-course Greek lunch with wine: A long meal format, with unlimited wine during lunch.
• Round-trip transfers included: You’ll be picked up at your ship or hotel and returned by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Group size can vary: Some days feel small and intimate, while other days run closer to larger groups.

Getting to the winery: Rhodes pickup that actually matters

The tour includes round-trip transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, and you’re collected from your ship or hotel. The start time shown when you book is only an estimate. The real value here is that you’re told to check your email the day before so you can get your exact pickup window. That one step can save you from stress at the pier.

On the ground, the pickup process is simple: you meet the van, then the group ride goes out into the countryside. If you’re on a cruise, this kind of organized transfer is a big deal. It cuts down on the classic port-day problem: racing across town to find the right gate or the right street.

One practical note: a couple of people reported that the meeting/pickup place wasn’t obvious. So plan to arrive a little early, and double-check the confirmation message before you head out.

Vineyard and distillery: souma and tsipouro, explained on location

This is the part that most people remember. You begin at the vineyard, walk through the growing areas, and get a production explanation right where it happens. You’re not just looking at vines. You’re learning how the grapes and the farm connect to the end products.

Then the tour moves into the distillery. Here’s the specific story you’ll hear: fermentation and distillation turn molasses into souma & tsipouro. For many visitors, that’s the “wait, how does that work?” moment. It’s also one reason this tour feels more complete than a plain vineyard tasting. You get two forms of spirit culture in one flow—wine first, then Rhodes’ traditional distillation process.

The venue itself tends to feel family-run rather than corporate. People describe it as a beautiful, outdoor setting, so expect time in the open air. It’s a win if you like the countryside vibe, but pack for sun and warmth too.

Wine tasting with a guide: what you should listen for

Wine tasting here isn’t presented as a blind science test. It’s an analytical tasting approach: the guide talks through how the vinification process influences what you taste. That means you’re paying attention to the same wine mechanics you’ve heard about at home, but now you’re hearing them linked to the actual glass.

Based on what’s been shared by participants, you may sample around five wines (sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the day and group). You’ll likely find a mix of whites and reds, which helps you connect grape style and winemaking choices to flavor.

A smart move: don’t rush the pours. This kind of tasting works best if you slow down, take notes in your head (sweet vs dry, citrus vs stone fruit, oak vs no oak), and ask questions during the pauses. If your group is heavy on questions, it can stretch the timeline, but the learning tends to be worth it.

The cooking class: hands-on Rhodian dishes without the stress

After wine, you shift gears to food prep. A cook joins the group and walks you through traditional dishes. The format is more “participate and have fun” than “watch for an hour and take notes.”

You’re invited to join in, and you’ll get the chance to prepare dishes together. Common examples mentioned include tzatziki, dolmades, and aubergine salad. Some dishes are clearly supported by prep work in advance, so you’re not starting from raw ingredients in every case. Still, you’ll roll, assemble, and taste as you go.

If you’re the type who wants a cooking class that’s long enough to become a full recipe workshop, keep expectations modest. One reason this tour stays around half-a-day is that the cooking lesson has to fit before the long lunch arrives.

Also: because it’s outdoors, you might run into insects. Wasps were mentioned by at least one participant, so if you’re going during warmer months, consider bringing insect repellent and wearing something that covers your arms and legs.

The 10-course lunch: what the meal feels like

This is where value shows up in a real way. The lunch is described as a 10 meal course Greek lunch with wine, and people call it plentiful and filling. During lunch, wine is unlimited, which turns the meal into a slow, social sequence rather than a quick stop.

The style matters, too. Expect Aegean mezze energy: lots of salads and vegetable-forward dishes, plus classics you’d recognize from Greek menus. Multiple people describe it as an amazing lunch—often the star of the day. If you’re hungry after a morning of tasting and walking, this meal structure pays off.

One potential drawback to plan around: if your timing runs long, lunch can land later than you hoped, especially on busier days when group questions take more time at the table. The good news is that the lunch itself is consistently described as substantial, so even if the schedule slips, you’re still likely to end up full.

Price and value: is $156.01 worth it?

At $156.01 per person for roughly 4 hours (approx.), the price looks high on paper—until you break down what’s included.

You’re not only paying for wine samples. You’re paying for:

• round-trip transfers
• a vineyard tour with production explanations
• a distillery visit tied to souma and tsipouro
• guided wine tasting
• a cooking lesson with hands-on participation
• a long 10-course Greek lunch
• unlimited wine during lunch

That combo is rare. In many places, you’d buy those pieces separately: transportation plus tasting plus lunch is already a big spend, and adding a structured cooking segment pushes it higher. Here, the total package is what creates value.

That said, if you’re ultra-sensitive to wine quality, remember that alcohol preferences are personal. One participant felt the wine quality was low, while most others sounded very pleased. If you’re worried about wine choice, your best move is to be open-minded during the tasting and ask which pour is the winery’s pride.

Timing reality: how the day can run long (or stay smooth)

The itinerary flows in a clear order: vineyard, distillery, tasting, cooking, lunch. But your lived experience depends on group energy.

Some people report a relaxed pace with enough time for pictures and learning. Others note that the wine tasting and vineyard explanations can move slowly if the group is very question-heavy, and that can shift the meal later. One person described feeling like the day took about an hour longer than expected.

So here’s the practical advice: treat this as an afternoon experience, not a clock-punching event. If you have a hard post-tour plan in Rhodes, give yourself buffer time to avoid pier-side panic.

Who this tour fits best (and who might skip)

This works especially well if you want a single activity that covers three interests:

• Greek wine culture
• traditional food with a hands-on step
• Rhodes spirits like tsipouro and souma

It’s also a strong choice for cruise days because the transfer helps you avoid the classic transportation scramble.

It may be less satisfying if:

• you want a deep, long cooking course where everything is taught like a full class
• you’re craving an all-meat lunch heavy on large cuts rather than mezze-style plates
• you want a super-fast tasting with no delays and zero schedule drift

Should you book Rhodes Wine & Food Tour: 10 Meal Course Lunch, Wine Tasting, Cooking Class?

I’d book it if you’re aiming for an afternoon in Rhodes that feels like real local culture rather than a quick checklist stop. The combination is the point: vineyard + distillery + tasting + cooking + a long 10-course lunch with unlimited wine. That’s a lot of “included” value for one ticket.

Before you go, do two things:

1. Check your pickup email/message the day before so you don’t lose time at the meeting point.
2. Set expectations for the cooking portion: it’s hands-on and fun, but it’s not a multi-hour chef workshop.

If you want wine and Rhodian food in one organized flow, this tour is a very solid bet.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Wine & Food Tour?

The tour is listed as about 4 hours.

What’s included in the tour price?

The experience includes wine tasting, a vineyard and distillery tour, a cooking class, and a 10-course Greek lunch with wine. Round-trip transfers are also offered.

Do you offer pickup from a ship or hotel?

Yes. The tour offers pickup at your ship or hotel. The exact pickup time is provided in your confirmation message.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is wine included during lunch?

Yes. The lunch includes wine, described as unlimited.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.