Wine Lovers: Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega Lanzarote

El Grifo is not just a place to sip wine and admire the scenery. It is a working bodega with an old winery, a small museum, and a wine story shaped by Lanzarote’s volcanic soil and strong trade winds. The tasting is led by the head sommelier, so you get useful explanations rather than a quick pour and a sales pitch.

I especially like the chance to see the old winery dating from 1775, then taste six wines with local cheese. I also like the small-group format, limited to 10 people, which gives you room to ask questions. The main consideration is simple: this is an adults-only activity, and getting a taxi from the cruise port can be difficult.

Key points

• Six wines in one two-hour visit: Taste a broad selection of El Grifo wines, with four served in the tasting room and, depending on the visit, additional pours during the tour.
• A winery with centuries of use: The old winery operated from 1775 until the 1990s and now forms part of the Wine Museum.
• Lanzarote’s growing methods explained: Learn how volcanic soils and trade winds affect Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah grapes.
• Small groups make a difference: With no more than 10 participants, you can ask about production, food pairings, and the wines in your glass.
• Cheese adds real local flavor: Island cheeses are served with the tasting, and some visits also include biscuits or chocolate.
• Good value for wine fans: At $57 per person, the price covers the guide, museum visit, six wines, cheese tasting, and discounts on shipping to European countries.

Why El Grifo’s old winery matters

El Grifo is one of those places where the building is part of the experience. The Wine Museum occupies the old winery, which dates from 1775 and is described as the oldest winery of its type in the Canary Islands.

That age gives the tour some weight, but you are not simply walking through a preserved room. You see the tools and utensils used in the 19th and 20th centuries, along with the methods once used to make wine on the island. The winery continued operating until its closure in the 1990s, so the museum connects older production methods with a more recent family business.

I find this more useful than a generic introduction to wine. You can see what the work actually required before modern equipment took over. The museum also gives you a better sense of how much Lanzarote wine-making has adapted to local conditions.

The tour is not just about the bottle in front of you. It explains how the island’s climate, volcanic ground, and trade winds affect the grapes. That context helps you understand why a Malvasia from Lanzarote can taste different from one grown elsewhere.

Seeing Lanzarote through its grapevines

Lanzarote is not an easy place to grow grapes. The volcanic soil and dry conditions require unusual techniques, and the tour explains how the vines are grown on the family plot.

The trade winds also matter. They influence the vines and help shape the grapes, while the volcanic soils contribute to the character of the finished wine. The guide connects these facts to what you smell, see, and taste, rather than leaving them as abstract farming details.

You will hear about three important grape varieties:

• Malvasia, a grape associated with fragrant, expressive white wines
• Listán Negro, a red grape grown in the Canary Islands
• Syrah, a familiar international variety that takes on local character in Lanzarote

The point is not to memorize grape names. It is to notice the difference between wines made from different grapes and to understand how place affects flavor. A good guide can make that connection clear, and the small group gives you a chance to ask about it in plain language.

Some visitors have found the tour especially easy to follow even without much wine experience. That is important because professional tastings can sometimes feel stiff or intimidating. Here, the explanations are intended to help you use your senses, not test your vocabulary.

The two-hour route from museum to tasting room

The experience lasts about two hours. Exact starting times vary, so you need to check availability before booking.

The first part centers on the bodega and museum. Your guide explains the history of the winery, shows you the old tools, and describes how wine was made during the building’s working years. Depending on the group and guide, you may also see parts of the vineyard and areas not included in a standard general visit.

The tour then shifts toward tasting. Several participants have described drinking two wines during the touring portion and four more in the tasting room. The exact order may vary, but the useful feature is that the wine does not appear all at once. You get time to connect what you are seeing with what you are drinking.

At the tasting, the head sommelier guides you through six wines. You look at their colors, consider their aromas, and taste the differences in flavor. The guide can also explain how to pair wine with food and how to use your senses when tasting.

This is a good pace for a two-hour activity. It is long enough to cover the museum and wine-making process, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing around Lanzarote. If you want a full vineyard workday or a long meal with many courses, this is not that. It is a focused introduction to El Grifo and its wines.

Six wines, local cheese, and a practical tasting

The six-wine tasting is the main reason to book this experience, and the cheese makes it more satisfying than a series of small sips on their own.

The wines are paired with local cheeses from producers on the island. Biscuits and, on some visits, chocolate may also appear. The pairings help you notice how salt, creaminess, sweetness, or texture changes the wine. You do not need advanced tasting skills to benefit from this. Simply try the wine before and after the cheese, then notice what shifts.

The portions have been described as generous, which matters at this price. You are not paying $57 for a single sample and a quick look at the gift shop. The package includes the guide, the museum and bodega visit, six wines, and cheese.

The exact selection depends on what El Grifo is presenting at the time. That is a good thing for repeat visitors, since the tasting is not locked into one fixed set forever, but it means you should not book expecting a particular label unless the bodega confirms it.

The sommelier’s role is another strong point. Guides named in feedback include Jacqueline, also called Jacky, Minerva, and Alexandra or Alessandra. The most useful reports describe guides who were warm, engaging, and able to answer questions in English. The tour is available in English and Spanish.

You can ask about the grape varieties, production methods, food pairings, or the unusual growing conditions. If you are new to wine, ask the guide to compare two wines directly. If you already know your way around a tasting, ask about the effect of the soil or trade winds. The small group makes both approaches possible.

What the small group changes

The group is limited to 10 participants. That may sound like a minor detail, but it affects the whole visit.

In a large group, a museum explanation can become hard to hear and the tasting can turn into a line of people waiting for a pour. A group of 10 allows more direct conversation. You can ask a question without holding up a busload of people, and the guide has a better chance to adjust the explanation to the group.

The mix of nationalities can also add to the fun, especially at a shared tasting table. Several people have particularly enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the chance to compare impressions with others.

Small groups are not guaranteed to be tiny. One visit had only four participants, which is an especially personal setup, but the stated limit is 10. Book with that maximum in mind rather than assuming you will have a private tour.

The adult-only rule keeps the tone focused. Nobody under 18 is permitted, so this suits couples, friends, solo adults, and groups who want a calm wine-focused stop. It is not a family activity with an alternative drink program for children.

Is $57 a fair price?

At $57 per person, this is not the cheapest winery stop in Lanzarote. The value depends on what you want from the visit.

If you only want to buy a bottle or try one wine, the price will feel high. If you want a guided introduction to El Grifo, the old winery museum, the local grape varieties, six tastings, and cheese, the package is much easier to justify.

I see the price as fair for a two-hour specialist visit, especially because the head sommelier leads the experience and the group stays small. The tasting is not an afterthought added to a museum tour. Wine and food are central to the visit.

There is also a practical benefit if you want to take bottles home. El Grifo offers discounts on shipping to European countries, which can be useful if you do not want to carry several bottles through the rest of your trip. The onsite shop has also been described as reasonably priced, though the price and selection of individual bottles are not specified here.

The value is strongest for anyone who would otherwise pay for a standard tasting and a separate cultural visit. You get both in one stop, with a guide who explains the connection between them.

What the tour does especially well

The strongest part of the experience is the combination of place and explanation. You are not tasting wine in a room that could be anywhere. You are learning about wine in an old Lanzarote winery, surrounded by equipment and methods tied to the island.

I also like how approachable the activity sounds for beginners. The guide explains the wines, the grapes, and the growing methods without requiring you to arrive with a polished palate. At the same time, experienced wine drinkers have enough detail to keep the visit interesting.

The cheese pairing is another practical success. It gives you something to eat, adds a local element, and makes the tasting more social. A few people also enjoyed extra snacks such as chocolate, but you should treat those as possible additions rather than a fixed part of the package.

The setting receives frequent praise, and that is easy to understand from the nature of the bodega. Historic buildings, vineyard views, and the old winery create a more memorable backdrop than a standard bar tasting.

Things to consider before booking

The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to El Grifo Bodega, and one important warning comes from cruise passengers: arranging a taxi from the cruise port can be difficult.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, leave plenty of time and confirm your return plan before the tour begins. One guide helped arrange a taxi back to accommodation, but you should not assume that transport assistance is guaranteed.

The activity is also strictly for adults aged 18 and over. That makes it a poor fit for families with younger children, even if a parent plans not to drink.

You should also keep the two-hour duration in mind. This is a compact bodega visit, not a full-day excursion. It gives you a clear introduction to the museum, grape varieties, and wines, but it will not cover every part of Lanzarote’s wine region.

Finally, six tastings can add up. Eat something sensible before or after the tour, and plan your day so you do not need to drive immediately afterward. Hotel transport is not included, so this matters.

Who will enjoy El Grifo most?

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys wine and wants more context than a simple tasting flight provides. You get the old winery, the museum, the growing methods, the grape varieties, and the food pairing in one well-contained visit.

It also suits wine beginners. The guide’s job is to explain what you are tasting and why it tastes that way. You do not need to know the difference between every grape variety before you arrive.

It is a good choice for couples and small groups who want a relaxed afternoon activity. The setting gives you something to look at between pours, and the cheese keeps the experience from feeling too formal.

I would be less likely to recommend it if you are looking for a family outing, a large party, or a transport-included excursion. It is also not the right choice if you are mainly interested in Lanzarote’s wider wine region and want several bodegas in one day.

The tour works best as a focused stop. Give it two hours, ask questions, taste slowly, and leave room for a bottle purchase if you find a favorite.

Should you book this wine tour?

I think you should book the El Grifo tasting if you want a compact, well-explained look at Lanzarote wine rather than a quick drink with little background. The old winery and museum give the visit substance, while the six wines and local cheese make it enjoyable even if you are not an expert.

The $57 price is reasonable for the small group, head sommelier, six pours, museum visit, and food pairing. Book it for the history, the unusual growing methods, and the chance to taste Malvasia, Listán Negro, and Syrah in the place where they are produced.

Skip it if you need hotel transport, are traveling with children under 18, or want a much longer vineyard excursion. For adults with a free two-hour window and a practical interest in local wine, El Grifo is one of Lanzarote’s more worthwhile specialty stops.

FAQ

How long does the El Grifo wine tasting tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

How many wines are included?

You taste six wines produced at El Grifo Bodega.

Is cheese included with the wine tasting?

Yes. The experience includes a tasting of local cheeses from producers on Lanzarote. Biscuits or chocolate may also be offered during some visits.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English or Spanish, depending on the selected tour and guide.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants. Some visits may be smaller.

Can children join the tour?

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

Does the price include transportation from my hotel?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the bodega.