Wine Lovers: Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega Lanzarote

Lanzarote’s wine country looks unlike almost anywhere else. At El Grifo Bodega, vines grow in volcanic soil beneath trade winds, and the tour explains how those tough conditions shape the island’s Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah wines. You finish with six wines and local cheese, not just a quick sample at the shop.

I like the mix of old and new: you see the former winery dating from 1775, then hear about current wine production from the head sommelier. I also like the small-group format, which gives you room to ask questions. The main consideration is transport. Hotel pickup is not included, and getting a taxi from a cruise port can be difficult.

Key points at a glance

• 1775 winery and museum: See the old working winery and the tools once used to make wine in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Six wines with island cheese: The tasting covers some of El Grifo’s leading wines and includes local cheese as a food pairing.
• Volcanic soil in the glass: Learn how Lanzarote’s ash-covered ground and trade winds affect grape growth and flavor.
• Head sommelier guidance: The tasting focuses on smells, color, flavor, and practical food-pairing advice.
• Small adult group: Tours are limited to 10 people, with Spanish and English explanations.
• Two-hour format: The visit fits neatly into a morning or afternoon, but you need to arrange your own transport.

Why El Grifo gives Lanzarote wine a different character

You may arrive expecting a standard vineyard visit: rows of vines, a cellar, and a few pours. El Grifo offers more context than that. The winery sits in an island shaped by volcanic eruptions, limited rainfall, and steady trade winds. Those conditions are not a side note here. They are central to the way the grapes are grown and the wines are made.

The tour explains the role of volcanic soil and wind in the family plot. You learn why Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah behave differently in Lanzarote, and how the island’s conditions affect the final wine. That makes the tasting more useful, because you are not simply told what is in your glass. You are given reasons for its color, aroma, and taste.

I find this setting especially worthwhile for people who already know a little about wine but do not want a technical lecture. The explanations are designed for ordinary drinkers, too. Several guides, including Jacqueline, Jacky, Minerva, and Alexandra, have been praised for making the subject clear and easy to follow. Guide assignments can change, but the format calls for a head sommelier to lead the experience.

The old winery from 1775

The museum occupies the site of El Grifo’s old winery, which operated from 1775 until its closure in the 1990s. It is described as the oldest winery of its type in the Canary Islands, giving the first part of the visit a strong sense of place.

You see tools and utensils from the 19th and 20th centuries and learn how wine was made before modern equipment took over. This is not a museum packed with unrelated objects. Its value comes from showing the working side of island wine production: the equipment, methods, and daily effort behind the bottle.

I like this section because it keeps the visit connected to Lanzarote’s past. The old winery is not merely a backdrop for a tasting. It helps you understand how a family wine business developed over time and how production changed before the site closed in the 1990s.

The museum visit is brief, so do not expect a full afternoon of exhibits. It works as part of a two-hour experience, giving you enough background before the wine tasting without taking over the tour.

Seeing how vines cope with Lanzarote

The vineyard portion gives the tour its most distinctive subject. Lanzarote’s growing conditions are demanding, and the guide explains how the vines are affected by the island’s trade winds and volcanic ground.

You learn about the three featured grape varieties:

• Malvasia: A key white grape discussed in relation to Lanzarote’s climate and soil.
• Listán Negro: A local red variety whose growing conditions help explain the character of the finished wine.
• Syrah: A widely known grape that takes on a different identity when grown on the island.

The important point is not memorizing grape names. It is seeing how place matters. A wine produced in Lanzarote is shaped by more than its grape variety. The guide connects the growing method to what you later smell and taste, which gives the tasting a clear thread.

Some tour accounts describe seeing the vineyard and parts of the bodega that ordinary visitors may not access. The exact route can vary, but you should expect more than a tasting-room presentation. You are shown how the wine process works and how the family plot fits into the operation.

Six wines, local cheese, and a practical tasting lesson

The tasting is the main event. You sample six wines produced onsite, with local cheese served alongside them. The pours are described as generous, and the food helps keep the experience grounded in something more satisfying than alcohol alone.

The head sommelier guides you through smell, color, and flavor. If you are new to wine tasting, you do not need a trained palate or special vocabulary. The explanations are intended to help you use your senses in a simple way, then connect what you notice to the grape and growing conditions.

I appreciate that the tasting is not limited to one style of wine. The planned selection lets you compare different expressions from El Grifo, including wines associated with Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah. The exact bottles may change, so I would not book this expecting a particular vintage or label.

The cheese pairing adds real value. Local cheeses from island producers give you a chance to see how food changes the taste of wine. The tasting also includes snacks, with some sessions featuring biscuits or other small accompaniments. Cheese is the confirmed pairing, while extra snacks should be treated as a pleasant possibility rather than a guarantee.

If you do not consider yourself a wine expert, this format should still work well. One useful feature is the practical advice on enjoying wine with food and paying attention to your senses. Even a companion who is not especially interested in wine may find the vineyard story and production methods more engaging than a formal tasting alone.

A guide who makes the difference

The quality of this experience depends heavily on the guide. A good sommelier can turn six pours into a coherent lesson. A flat presentation would make the same wines feel less worthwhile.

The strongest guide feedback centers on clear explanations, friendly conversation, and the ability to answer questions. Jacqueline, also referred to as Jacky, is praised for her English and approachable manner. Minerva is noted for being engaging and helpful, while Alexandra is described as a wine expert. These names come from individual sessions, so you should not assume a particular person will lead your tour.

The small group helps. With no more than 10 participants, the sommelier can respond to questions and keep the tasting from becoming a crowded production. Some sessions have had only four people, which creates an especially relaxed setting, though group size can vary up to the stated limit.

Tours are offered in Spanish and English. If you need a particular language, check the available departure when booking rather than assuming every time slot will be bilingual.

How much value do you get for $57?

At $57 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sample Lanzarote wine. It is also more than a simple cellar stop where you buy a glass and browse the shelves.

The price includes a two-hour guided visit, the museum, a head sommelier, six wines, and local cheese. For someone interested in wine, that is a fair package, especially because the tour explains the growing conditions and production methods rather than serving the wine without context.

I would judge the value this way:

• Good value for wine drinkers: You receive six tastings, food pairing, a guided visit, and a closer look at the historic winery.
• Good value for curious non-specialists: The guide-led format makes the subject approachable, and the island story gives the visit broader interest.
• Less compelling for people avoiding alcohol: The museum and vineyard material are worthwhile, but wine tasting remains the core of the activity.
• Less suitable for families: This is an adults-only experience for people aged 18 and over.

The bodega shop gives you a chance to buy bottles after the tasting. Shipping discounts to European countries are included, which can make buying easier if you do not want to carry wine through the rest of your trip. Shipping terms and destinations should be confirmed at the bodega.

Timing, transport, and what to plan before you go

The experience lasts two hours, with starting times shown according to availability. That makes it easy to fit into a day of sightseeing, but you should allow extra time for getting there and leaving.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You arrange your own transport, and this matters most if you are visiting from a cruise ship. A taxi from the cruise port may be difficult to secure, so do not leave the return journey until the last minute. One helpful detail from the operation is that staff may assist with arranging a taxi back to your accommodation, but you should still plan your own arrival.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your schedule is still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. These terms are useful, but the practical issue remains the same: check the exact start time and build transport around it.

Because the group is capped at 10, I would reserve ahead if the available time fits your plans. The adult-only rule also makes the audience clear from the start. Children under 18 cannot join.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour if you want to understand why Lanzarote wine tastes different from wine produced elsewhere in Spain. The combination of volcanic soil, trade winds, grape varieties, and old production methods gives the visit a clear local identity.

It suits:

• Wine lovers who want more than a tasting flight
• Couples looking for a relaxed two-hour activity
• First-time tasters who want help using their senses
• Cruise visitors who can solve transport in advance
• Visitors who enjoy museums and historic working sites
• People hoping to buy bottles and arrange European shipping

I would think twice if you want a large, highly structured attraction with a long vineyard walk. The museum visit is brief, and the tour is built around explanation and tasting. It is also not the right choice for anyone under 18 or for a group that does not want to arrange its own transport.

Should you book El Grifo’s wine tasting?

I would book it if you have an interest in local food and drink, even if you are not yet confident around wine. The tour makes Lanzarote’s unusual growing conditions understandable, then gives you six chances to taste the result with island cheese.

The best reason to go is the combination of place and instruction: an old winery dating to 1775, a museum of traditional tools, a family plot shaped by volcanic soil and trade winds, and a tasting led by a sommelier. The main caution is simple: plan your taxi or other transport carefully, especially from a cruise port.

At $57, it offers solid value for a focused two-hour visit. If you prefer a quick drink with no background, it may feel too structured. If you want to leave Lanzarote knowing more about its wines and carrying a favorite bottle home, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the El Grifo wine tasting tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many wines are included?

The planned experience includes a tasting of six wines produced onsite.

Is cheese included with the wine tasting?

Yes. Local cheese from producers on Lanzarote is included as a pairing for the wines.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. Live guided tours are offered in English and Spanish.

How large is the tour group?

The tour is a small-group experience limited to 10 participants.

Can children join the tour?

No. The activity is for adults aged 18 and over.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.