Six pours in volcanic Lanzarote wine country. At El Grifo Bodega, a head sommelier walks you through the historic winery and onsite museum, then guides a 6-wine tasting paired with local cheese. You also learn how trade winds and volcanic soils shape grapes like malvasia, listán negro, and syrah.

I especially like the small group format, capped at 10 adults, which makes it easier to ask questions in English or Spanish. I also love that you are not just tasting wine, you are seeing the wine museum housed in the old winery buildings and learning how winemaking worked here over time. Guides you may meet, like Jacqueline, Minerva, Jacky, Alexandra, and Alessandra, are repeatedly praised for being friendly and engaging.

One consideration: there is no hotel pickup, so you’ll want a taxi plan or a way to get to the bodega on time. Also, it is adults-only (18+), so skip it if you are traveling with kids.

Key points to know before you go

• Head sommelier-led tasting of 6 of El Grifo’s onsite wines, with a guided, professional presentation
• Wine museum inside the old winery (the site dates back to 1775), with tools used in the 19th and 20th centuries
• Volcanic soils and trade winds explained through the island’s main grapes: malvasia, listán negro, and syrah
• Cheese pairing with local cheeses from island producers, served alongside the pours
• Small group of 10 adults max for more conversation and easier sensory tasting
• Optional bottle shipping discounts to European countries if you want to take the wine home

Entering El Grifo Bodega, Lanzarote’s Wine Story in Real Time

Lanzarote wine is not about pretending the world is flat and easy. It is about doing grapes the hard way, on volcanic ground, in trade-wind conditions that push the vines to adapt. That is exactly why this tour works: you get the theory, but you also get the setting where it all happens.

At El Grifo Bodega, you are touring a winery that matters locally, not just a tasting room you pass through. The experience is led by the head sommelier, so you get explanations that connect flavor to place, not vague wine-speak. And because the tasting focuses on specific Lanzarote grapes like malvasia, listán negro, and syrah, you are learning what makes this island different.

The bonus is the museum stop. You get to see the old winery operation, including how people made wine here until the winery closed in the 1990s. In other words, you are not just tasting something good, you are learning the why behind it.

The 2-Hour Pace: What You’ll Do from Start to Finish

This is a 2-hour tour, and it runs at set starting times (check availability when you book). The group is limited to 10 participants, so the schedule stays tight and the guide can keep an eye on the room, especially during tastings.

Here’s the rough flow:

1. A guided look around historic El Grifo areas tied to how the winery works and grows grapes.
2. A museum visit that gives context for the old winemaking methods.
3. A structured tasting session with 6 onsite wines plus local cheese pairings.

No hotel pickup means you need to arrive on your own. If you are staying in a place with limited taxis, build in extra time. One of the recurring practical points from real-world visitors is that getting a taxi can be tricky from certain areas, so it is smart to plan early.

For most people, the pace is friendly. It is guided, but not rushed. And because you are in a small group, you can actually get your questions answered while it is still relevant, whether you are a wine beginner or you know your way around a tasting sheet.

The Historic Winery and Museum: Why the Old Buildings Matter

The museum is a big part of what makes El Grifo different. This is not a generic exhibit you glance at and forget. The museum uses the site of the old winery buildings from 1775, described as the oldest of its type in the Canary Islands.

What you get here is useful context. You’ll see tools and utensils connected to how winemaking was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, and you’ll learn what happened at the winery operation until it closed in the 1990s. Even if you don’t care about equipment, this stop changes how you taste afterward. It gives you a sense for how winemaking evolved on Lanzarote, and why the island’s wines are not just regional brands, but products of a place that required ingenuity.

Also, a museum stop keeps the tour from becoming purely sensory and a bit repetitive. You get a mental “reset” before the tasting room. It makes the wine part feel more grounded, like a direct continuation of what you just learned.

If you like old industrial sites, family-run agricultural history, and hands-on explanations, this museum angle is one of the strongest reasons to book.

The Grape Focus: Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah in Lanzarote Conditions

You’ll spend real time on three grapes that define Lanzarote:

• Malvasia
• Listán negro
• Syrah

The guide explains why these grapes behave the way they do here, using two big factors: trade winds and volcanic soils. That matters because the same grape can taste very different depending on where it grows. You are learning what to look for, not memorizing labels.

This is the part where the head sommelier approach helps. Instead of treating the tasting like a blind sequence of sips, the guide connects each wine to conditions and to what you might notice in the glass. Expect attention to the senses: what you smell, how the color looks, and what flavors show up as you taste.

If you have ever done a tasting where everyone swirls in silence, you’ll probably appreciate this approach more. You are encouraged to use your senses as a tool, not just a ritual.

The Tasting Room: Six Wines, Local Cheese, and Real Guidance

The core experience is the professional tasting of 6 wines, all produced onsite at El Grifo. The guide leads you through the tasting step-by-step, with focus on aromas, color, and flavor.

You also get local cheese snacks paired with the wines. This is one of those simple pairings that can make a big difference, because cheese adds saltiness, fat, and texture. Those elements can help different wines show up more clearly, especially in a tasting lineup where you are moving from one style to another.

One practical tip: go slower than you think you should. With 6 pours in about 2 hours, it is easy to rush. Instead, pause between wines. Let the previous one settle in your memory for a minute, then compare what changes in the next glass.

Also, use the small group size to your advantage. If you are unsure what you like, ask the guide to point out what to focus on. People who are new to wine often find this kind of guided tasting surprisingly accessible, because the guide translates what you are tasting into plain language.

On top of the tasting, the experience includes discounts on shipping to European countries. That is handy if you know you will want bottles after you taste them on the island. (It is not a requirement, but it is a good option for wine lovers.)

Value Check for $57: Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

At $57 per person for a 2-hour guided experience, you are paying for more than a quick sip. The tour includes:

• A guided visit to the winery areas
• A visit to the onsite museum with historical context
• A tasting of 6 wines
• A cheese pairing with local cheese
• Expert guidance from the head sommelier
• Shipping discounts to European countries

The value here comes from the combination. If it were just a tasting room with a few pours, $57 might feel steep. But you are getting a museum stop and structured guidance throughout the tastings. And because the group is limited to 10, you are more likely to actually interact, ask questions, and get explanations that make the tasting feel personal, not scripted.

It is also a good investment if you are the kind of traveler who wants to understand what you are buying. After 6 wines plus grape and terroir explanations, it is easier to pick which bottle you truly want to take home.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Want to Pass)

This tour is designed for adults only (18+). If you enjoy wine, you will likely love it for the grape focus on malvasia, listán negro, and syrah, and for the guided tasting of 6 onsite wines with cheese pairing.

It also works for people who are not hardcore wine geeks. The museum and the discussion of volcanic soils and trade winds give you a lot even if you are not chasing every flavor note. Some guides are praised for making the tasting accessible for beginners, so you do not need to arrive knowing wine vocabulary.

You might want to skip it if:

• You need children-friendly activities (this is adults-only).
• You are relying on hotel pickup, because this tour does not include it.
• You hate tasting wine in a guided format. Even if you only taste small amounts, the session is built around wine.

If you are planning a Lanzarote afternoon and want something that feels local, not generic, this tour usually fits well.

Should You Book the Wine Lovers Tour at El Grifo Bodega?

If your goal is to taste Lanzarote wines in context, this is one of the best ways to do it. The head sommelier format plus the museum stop makes it feel like more than a sales pitch. You leave with a clearer understanding of the grapes and why they taste the way they do in this volcanic, windy environment.

I’d book it if:

• You want 6 wines and a guided tasting, not just a casual pour
• You like pairing wine with local cheese
• You appreciate a winery visit that includes history, not only tasting

I’d think twice if:

• Getting there is a hassle for you. No hotel pickup is the big practical drawback.
• You are traveling with kids.

If you do book, wear comfortable shoes for winery areas, plan your taxi timing, and come ready to slow down during the tasting. You’ll get the most out of it when you treat it like a guided conversation with the island, one glass at a time.

FAQ

How long is the Wine Lovers Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega?

The tour lasts 2 hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

How many people are in the group?

It’s a small group limited to 10 participants.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the bodega.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The live guide speaks Spanish and English.

Is this tour for adults only?

Yes. The tour is only for adults (18+).

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll taste 6 onsite wines paired with local cheese snacks, and you’ll also have a guided visit that includes the onsite wine museum.