Six wines, serious Lanzarote know-how. You’ll tour El Grifo Bodega with the head sommelier, then taste the winery’s standout wines while you learn why this island produces grapes that don’t behave like they do elsewhere.

I particularly like the way the guide ties the tasting to the grapes you actually hear about: malvasia, listán negro, and syrah. It makes the experience feel practical, not just ceremonial.

One catch: there’s no hotel pickup, and the tour is about 2 hours end to end—so plan your ride and timing before you go.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Head sommelier-led tour with a focused, expert tasting format
• Wine Museum visit inside old winery buildings dating to 1775
• Learn how trade winds and volcanic soils shape malvasia, listán negro, and syrah
• Taste 6 onsite wines paired with local cheese
• Small group (limited to 10 participants), which makes Q&A actually work
• Includes shipping discounts for European countries if you buy bottles after

Entering El Grifo Bodega: a small group with a clear rhythm

This tour works because it stays tight. You’re not wandering for hours with a headset. Instead, you follow a guided route through the historic El Grifo setting, with the head sommelier leading the wine side from start to finish. With a group limited to 10, you get more back-and-forth and fewer moments where you’re just watching silently.

You’ll also feel the “two-track” structure right away: a short history stop (the museum) and then the tasting portion, where you get taught how to smell and taste like a pro—but without making it feel like homework. If you’re a wine newbie, this is one of the reasons the format lands well. You’re given enough context to understand what you’re tasting, instead of just being handed a glass and told to enjoy.

And if you’re not the only wine fan in your group, this still holds up. The pairing and the setting do a lot of the work for you, and even people who don’t chase wine often end up paying attention once the guide connects the flavors to Lanzarote’s conditions.

The Wine Museum: old tools, old walls, and the 1775 story

The museum portion is short, but it’s not fluff. You’ll visit the Wine Museum that once served as the old winery from 1775, described as the oldest of its type in the Canary Islands. That date matters because it helps explain why the winery feels “built in layers,” not like a modern tasting room dropped into an old place.

Inside, you’ll see tools and utensils connected to wine-making in the 19th and 20th centuries, and you’ll get a sense of what winemaking looked like through time—up until the winery’s operation closure in the 1990s. That timeline gives the tasting a stronger backbone. It’s not only about what’s in the glass today; it’s about how the local craft survived changes and adapted.

If you like your wine tourism with real context, this museum stop is where the tour becomes more than a simple tasting. It also breaks up the experience nicely, so the tour doesn’t feel like one long drinking session. You get a palate reset, mentally and physically, before the tasting heats up.

A small practical note: if you’re sensitive to walking time inside older buildings, wear comfortable shoes. This is still a casual visit, but it’s better to be ready for uneven floors and museum-room pacing.

Getting to the vineyards and grapes: what Lanzarote does differently

After the museum visit, the guide turns to what makes Lanzarote grapes unique. The tour focuses on the characteristics of malvasia, listán negro, and syrah—and it connects those grapes to the conditions on the island, especially trade winds and volcanic soils.

Here’s why this part is worth paying attention to: Lanzarote isn’t producing wine on “generic” land. Volcanic soils can influence how vines work, how vines handle stress, and how grapes develop flavor. Trade winds add another piece—more airflow and exposure, which can affect ripening and the balance of acidity and fruit notes. Even if you don’t remember the science, you’ll start noticing how the wines taste like they belong to a dry, windy island.

This is also where the best guides shine. In the tours I’ve seen, the difference between average and great is whether someone can answer your questions without going into a professor lecture. In this case, the head sommelier format generally keeps things practical: you learn what you’re smelling, what you might notice first, and how different grapes can show different aromatics and flavors.

If you’re the type who likes to take notes, you’ll have plenty to write down—especially after you’ve tasted and the guide points out the connection back to Lanzarote conditions.

The tasting of 6 wines: the moment it all clicks

The main event is the professional tasting of 6 wines produced onsite. You don’t just taste; you’re guided through the experience, with the sommelier explaining what to look for as you taste—colors, aromas, and flavors. That structure is what makes the tasting feel like learning, not just sipping.

The tour is also built for variety. Since the winery grows and produces around key local grape types, the tasting set tends to show how those grapes can express themselves under Lanzarote’s influence. You’ll get a sense of differences in style and character instead of tasting six versions of the same idea.

Pairing is part of the plan, too. The tasting includes local cheese snacks, and the guide helps you connect the cheese with the wine you’re drinking. Cheese pairing makes a surprising difference for first-timers. It can show you which wine notes match salty or creamy textures, and it can highlight acidity or fruit in a way that plain sipping won’t.

From the general feedback, one thing stands out: people feel the tasting samples are generous for what they pay. That matters. Wine tourism can be hit-or-miss on pours, and a “good value” experience usually means you can actually taste your way through the set and not feel rushed.

Cheese pairing on Lanzarote: small bites that change the whole tasting

The cheese part isn’t just a side plate. When it’s done well, cheese pairing becomes an educational tool. In this tour, you’ll taste local cheese alongside the wines, which gives you contrast. Mild cheese can soften tannins, richer cheese can bring out fruit and spice, and salty notes can sharpen the edges of the wine’s flavors.

If you’re planning ahead, I’d treat this like a meal-lite. Even though it’s called a tasting, it’s food enough that most people don’t leave hungry. If you’re coming straight from a busy day of sightseeing, this is a good way to settle your energy for the evening afterward.

And if you’re curious about buying what you like, the winery shop at the end tends to be reasonably priced according to past visitors, which means you might be able to take a bottle home without feeling like you’re being charged tourist-tax rates for everything.

Price and value: why about $57 can be a smart buy

At $57 per person for a 2-hour experience, the value depends on what you get beyond “tasting a few pours.” Here, you get three major components that usually cost extra when sold separately:

• A guided visit to the historic bodega setting
• A museum stop with tools and winery history tied to Lanzarote
• A guided, professional tasting of 6 wines plus cheese pairing

Then there’s the “real-world” value: discounts on shipping to European countries are included. Even if you’re only buying one bottle, that shipping perk can matter later.

Is it the cheapest thing in Lanzarote? No. But wine tastings often look cheap until you compare what’s actually included. This one is priced like a guided education plus a proper tasting, not a quick stop.

It’s also a small-group format (10 people max). That size can make the guide feel more accessible for questions and can improve the overall pacing. In practice, that’s the difference between hearing a lecture and having a conversation.

Logistics that actually matter: plan your ride and arrive ready

The big logistics detail is straightforward: hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included. So you’ll want to line up a taxi, rental car plan, or another way to get yourself to the bodega on time.

Because the tour lasts around 2 hours, timing matters. If you’re late, the experience won’t stretch. You’ll likely lose tasting time, and the museum stop is short enough that arriving right on schedule helps you see everything that’s planned.

Also, this is adults only (18+). If you’re traveling as a family, this won’t be the right fit for younger kids.

One more practical perk: the guide is available in English and Spanish, which helps if you’re traveling with mixed-language friends. Past visitors have praised guides by name—people have specifically mentioned Jacqueline, Minerva, and Jacky—which is a good sign that the guide team puts care into the experience.

Who should book this El Grifo Wine Lovers tour

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a serious Lanzarote wine education without a long itinerary
• You like tasting guided by someone who can explain what you’re smelling and tasting
• You’re traveling with a partner who might not be fully wine-obsessed but still enjoys food pairings and atmosphere
• You care about local grape identity—malvasia, listán negro, and syrah—more than international-famous names

It may be less ideal if:

• You dislike tours with a set start time and a fixed 2-hour window
• You want a purely scenic, no-explanations experience (this is guided and story-driven)
• You don’t want to handle your own transport to the bodega

Should you book it? My honest decision guide

If you’re choosing between a basic tasting and something that also includes the museum and a properly guided set of 6 wines, I’d pick this. The combination of the historic 1775 winery museum, the head sommelier focus, and the cheese pairing is what makes it feel like real value, not just a paid pour.

I’d especially book it when you want to leave Lanzarote with bottles you actually understand. The tour’s whole aim is to connect the glass to the island—trade winds, volcanic soils, and the character of malvasia, listán negro, and syrah. That connection makes your next sip at home more fun.

FAQ

How long is the El Grifo wine tasting tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

How many wines will you taste?

You’ll taste 6 of the best wines produced onsite.

Does the tour include cheese?

Yes. The tasting includes local cheese snacks and cheese pairing.

Is there a museum included?

Yes. You’ll visit the Wine Museum, which was part of the old winery from 1775.

Who leads the tour?

The tour is guided by the head sommelier.

What languages are available?

The tour guide speaks Spanish and English.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

Is this tour for adults only?

Yes, it’s only for adults aged 18+.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included.

Are there discounts if I want to ship wine?

Yes. Discounts on shipping to European countries are included.