Wine Lovers: Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega Lanzarote

Wine tastes different beside a volcano. El Grifo’s two-hour tour gives you a clear, enjoyable look at Lanzarote’s unusual wine country, from the old winery and museum to a guided tasting of six wines with local cheese. I especially like the small groups of no more than 10 and the chance to learn directly from the head sommelier. The local focus is strong, too, with malvasia, listán negro, and syrah grapes at the center of the story.

I also like how friendly the experience feels for people who do not know much about wine. Guides including Jacqueline, Minerva, Jacky, and Alexandra have been praised for explaining the wines in plain language and answering questions without making the tasting feel stiff. The main thing to consider is transport: hotel pickup is not included, and arranging a taxi can be difficult from some areas, especially the cruise port.

Key points to know before you go

• Six wines are included: You taste a broad selection of El Grifo’s wines rather than only one or two samples.
• The old winery dates to 1775: The museum occupies the former winery, with tools and equipment from the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Lanzarote’s growing method is unusual: Trade winds, volcanic soil, and family-grown grapes shape the character of the wines.
• Local cheese comes with the tasting: The food pairing adds substance and helps show how the wines work with island produce.
• The group is limited to 10 people: That makes it easier to ask questions and hear the guide.
• The tour is adults only: Everyone must be at least 18, and the price is $57 per person.

Why El Grifo’s wine country feels different

You do not come to El Grifo for a standard European vineyard view. Lanzarote’s wine-growing conditions are unusual, and that is the heart of the visit. The tour explains how the island’s volcanic soils and trade winds affect the grapes, rather than treating the vineyard as a pretty backdrop for a few drinks.

The grapes named during the experience include malvasia, listán negro, and syrah. You learn how their growing conditions influence aroma, color, and flavor. That context makes the tasting more useful because you are not simply being handed six glasses and asked which one you prefer.

The guide also explains the family plot and the methods used to grow vines on Lanzarote. The information is practical and tied to what you can see around the bodega. I like this approach because it gives the tour a sense of place. You are tasting wine made from this island, not sampling a generic lineup chosen only for easy drinking.

The tour also touches on newer and innovative work at the vineyard. That detail matters because El Grifo is presented as a working producer looking ahead, not only as a preserved historic site. You get both the old methods and the current approach.

The 1775 winery and the small museum

A key part of the tour is the Wine Museum, located in the old winery that began operating in 1775. It is described as the oldest winery of its type in the Canary Islands, and its age gives the visit real weight without requiring a long museum stop.

You see tools and utensils used during the 19th and 20th centuries. The guide explains how wine was made while the old winery was operating, up until its closure in the 1990s. This is useful background before the tasting because it shows the work behind each bottle.

The museum portion is brief, so do not expect a full afternoon of exhibits. That is actually a strength for many people. You get enough history to understand the place, then move on to the vineyard and tasting rather than spending the whole two hours reading displays.

Some tours also include areas not normally accessible to regular visitors. That can make the visit feel more personal and gives you a closer look at how the bodega functions. The exact route can vary, but the experience includes more than a quick look at the public shop.

Seeing how Lanzarote grows its grapes

The growing methods are one of the best reasons to book this rather than choosing a simple tasting at a bar. The guide explains how the vines cope with Lanzarote’s conditions and how the island’s volcanic ground affects the grapes.

The trade winds are another important part of the story. You learn how they influence the plants and the final wine. This is not just technical information for wine professionals. If you are new to wine, it gives you a simple way to connect the place, the weather, and the taste in your glass.

The tour follows the wine-making process from grape growing through production and tasting. Some visitors have described seeing the full cycle of the wine, while others recall tasting two wines during the tour and four more in the tasting room. The exact order may depend on the day, but you should expect the six wines to be spread across the visit rather than poured all at once.

That pacing helps. You can consider each wine before moving to the next, and the guide can explain how different grapes and styles compare. It also keeps the tour from becoming a rushed succession of glasses.

Six wines, local cheese, and a useful tasting lesson

The tasting includes six wines produced onsite. The selection focuses on El Grifo’s best wines, with malvasia, listán negro, and syrah among the grapes discussed. You learn to pay attention to smell, color, and flavor, but the tone is friendly enough for beginners.

The tasting is not limited to wine experts. One guide made the experience accessible to people new to wine, and another helped explain how to use your senses and pair wine with food. That is a big plus if you normally feel lost when tasting notes start sounding too fancy.

The portions have been described as generous, and the tasting includes local cheeses from producers on the island. Some tastings have also included biscuits or chocolate, though the core offering is wine and cheese. The cheese is more than a small extra. It gives you a chance to see how a wine changes with food and turns the tasting into a light snack as well as a lesson.

I would pay attention to the guide’s pairing advice, especially if you plan to buy a bottle. A wine that seems sharp or unusual on its own may work better with food. The tour helps you choose based on your own taste rather than simply buying the most expensive bottle in the shop.

The wines have received particularly strong praise, as has the mix of styles. Several people have bought bottles to take home, and the onsite shop has been described as reasonably priced. If you want to bring wine back, the experience provider offers discounts on shipping to European countries. Shipping details should be checked when you book or purchase, since the included benefit is specifically a discount rather than free delivery.

The head sommelier makes the difference

The quality of the guide is central to this experience. The tour is led by the head sommelier, and the strongest part of the visit is the chance to ask questions as the story unfolds.

Guides named in the feedback include Jacqueline, Jacky, Minerva, and Alexandra. Jacqueline and Jacky were praised for clear English, friendly conversation, and strong knowledge of Lanzarote’s wine-making methods. Minerva was described as engaging, while Alexandra was praised for her wine expertise. Guide availability depends on the date, so you should not assume a particular person will lead your tour.

The language options are Spanish and English. A good guide can adjust the level of detail to the group, and that seems to be a regular strength here. You can ask about grape varieties, production, growing methods, or food pairings without needing a technical wine background.

The small-group format helps. With a maximum of 10 participants, you have a better chance of hearing the explanation and getting a direct answer than you would on a large coach excursion. Groups may be smaller, too. One visit had only four people, which made the afternoon feel especially relaxed.

Two hours well spent, with a few practical limits

The tour lasts two hours. That is long enough for the old winery, museum, growing methods, and six-wine tasting, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing around Lanzarote.

You should allow extra time before or after the tour if you want to browse the shop or visit the café. The café has been recommended as a pleasant place for light snacks and more wine after the formal experience. Those extras are not part of the stated tour, so budget separately.

The setting is frequently praised, and the bodega provides a pleasant change from beach time or resort streets. Still, this is not a full-day vineyard outing. You should book it for the combination of history, wine education, and tasting, not for a long walk through extensive grape fields.

The adult-only rule is clear: participants must be at least 18. That makes the atmosphere better suited to couples, adult friends, solo visitors, and small groups looking for a calm afternoon activity. Families with younger children will need another plan.

Is the $57 price good value?

At $57 per person, the price is fair if you value the teaching as much as the wine. You receive a guided visit, a museum stop, six tastings, and local cheese. A simple wine flight may cost less, but it will not usually explain the old winery, the island’s growing methods, or the role of trade winds and volcanic soil.

The value is strongest for anyone curious about Lanzarote itself. You are learning why wine production here looks different, then tasting the result. That connection gives the experience more substance than a standard cellar tasting.

It is also a good deal for beginners. You do not need to arrive with a polished wine vocabulary, and the guides explain the wines in a way that helps you form your own opinion. If you already know El Grifo’s wines well, the tour still offers the museum, production background, and access to parts of the bodega, but you may care less about the introductory tasting advice.

The main cost to consider is getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. One person reported difficulty finding a taxi from the cruise port, so cruise passengers should arrange transport well ahead of time rather than assuming a cab will be waiting. The tour itself lasts two hours, but your total time commitment will be longer if the bodega is far from where you are staying.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote schedule is still shifting.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Adults who want a quieter alternative to a large island excursion
• Wine beginners who want clear explanations without pressure
• Experienced wine drinkers interested in unusual growing conditions
• Couples looking for a relaxed afternoon activity
• Visitors who enjoy historic buildings and local food
• Anyone planning to buy El Grifo wine and wanting help choosing

You may want to skip it if you dislike wine, cheese, or guided visits. It is also less suitable if you need hotel transport included or if you are traveling with anyone under 18.

Even non-drinkers can find the history and production story interesting, but the tasting is a major part of the two hours. If wine is not your thing at all, the price may be hard to justify.

Should you book El Grifo Bodega?

I would book this tour if you want to understand what makes Lanzarote wine distinct, not just sample a few glasses. The old 1775 winery, museum tools, volcanic growing methods, and six-wine tasting create a well-rounded visit, while the local cheese gives the tasting a satisfying finish.

The strongest reason to go is the guide. A skilled sommelier turns unfamiliar grapes and island conditions into something you can understand. The small group makes that easier, and the consistently high rating of 4.9 from 238 reviews reflects the experience’s reliable appeal.

Before booking, check the starting time, plan your own transport, and remember that it is adults only. If those details work for you, El Grifo offers one of Lanzarote’s better ways to spend two hours: local, informative, and tasty without taking itself too seriously.

FAQ

How long does the El Grifo wine tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes a tasting of six wines produced onsite at El Grifo Bodega.

Is cheese included with the wine tasting?

Yes. The tasting includes local cheeses from producers on Lanzarote. Some visits have also included biscuits or chocolate.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish and English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.