Wine Lovers: Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega Lanzarote

Lanzarote’s wine country looks unlike almost any other in Europe. At El Grifo Bodega, vines grow low to the ground in black volcanic soil, protected from the wind by shallow hollows of ash. The most interesting part of this tour is seeing how growers work with such harsh conditions, then tasting the result with a head sommelier.

I like the small groups of up to 10, which give you room to ask questions. I also like the mix of old and new: you visit a winery dating to 1775, then taste six current wines while learning about malvasia, listán negro, and syrah.

The main consideration is transport. Hotel pickup is not included, and reaching the bodega by taxi can take planning, especially if you are coming from a cruise port. This is an adults-only activity, too.

Key points to know before you book

• Six wines, not just a quick sample: The tasting includes six wines produced at El Grifo, paired with local island cheese.
• A winery with real age: The old winery dates from 1775 and now houses a museum with historic tools and equipment.
• The volcanic setting matters: Your guide explains how Lanzarote’s ash, soil, and trade winds affect the grapes.
• A head sommelier leads the visit: Guides such as Jacqueline, Minerva, Alexandra, and Jacky have been praised for clear explanations and friendly service.
• Small-group format: With no more than 10 people, the tasting should feel more personal than a large coach excursion.
• Plan your ride home: There is no included hotel transfer, though the staff may help arrange a taxi.

Why El Grifo makes a good Lanzarote wine stop

Many winery visits follow a familiar pattern: walk past vines, hear a short production talk, and taste a few glasses. El Grifo offers more context. The bodega’s old winery operated from 1775 until the 1990s, and its former rooms now form a wine museum.

That age gives the visit a useful sense of place. You are not only hearing how wine is made today. You are also seeing the tools and utensils used during the 19th and 20th centuries, when winemaking relied on simpler equipment and more manual work.

The setting adds another layer. Lanzarote’s vineyards do not look like the neatly planted rows you may know from mainland Spain or France. Vines are shaped by the island’s dry climate, volcanic ground, and strong trade winds. The tour explains how these conditions affect the grapes and, later, the smell, color, and taste of the wine.

I especially like that the guide connects the glass to the island. You learn about the wine, but also about the growing methods needed to produce it in Lanzarote. That makes the experience worthwhile even if you are not already a wine expert.

The old winery and museum from 1775

The visit includes the Wine Museum, located in the old winery. This is the historical heart of the experience. You see where wine was made for more than two centuries and learn how production continued until the winery closed in the 1990s.

Expect to see historic tools and utensils from the 19th and 20th centuries. The value here is not in checking off a long list of museum objects. It is in understanding the work behind each bottle, before modern equipment made many steps faster and more controlled.

Your guide puts the objects into context. Instead of looking at old equipment without explanation, you can ask how it was used and how the process differed from current winemaking. Guides including Jacqueline, Minerva, Alexandra, and Jacky have been singled out for making this part clear and engaging.

The museum visit is brief, so do not book this expecting a full day of wine history. It works better as part of the larger tour, giving you a foundation before the tasting begins.

How volcanic soil and trade winds shape the grapes

Lanzarote’s wine is closely tied to its physical setting. The tour explains the role of volcanic soils and the trade winds in shaping the quality and character of the grapes grown on the family plot.

You will hear about three important varieties: malvasia, listán negro, and syrah. The point is not simply to memorize grape names. You learn to notice how different grapes produce different aromas, colors, and flavors, and how the island’s growing conditions influence the final wine.

Malvasia is a key part of the tasting, while listán negro and syrah show how other varieties perform in Lanzarote. The guide also explains the practical side of vineyard work, including how growers cope with wind and dry ground.

This is the part that helps wine beginners most. You do not need a trained palate to follow along. The explanations are designed to help you use your senses, compare one glass with the next, and understand why the wines do not all taste alike.

The tasting: six wines and local cheese

The tasting is the main event, and six wines make this more substantial than a token sample. You taste a range of wines made at El Grifo, with the head sommelier explaining what to look for in each glass.

The presentation focuses on smells, colors, and flavors, so you are encouraged to pay attention rather than simply drink your way through the lineup. The guide can also discuss food pairings and ways to enjoy different wines, which makes the tasting practical for later meals.

Local cheese is served alongside the wine. Cheese gives you an immediate way to compare the effect of food on the taste of each pour. Some sessions also include simple snacks such as biscuits or chocolate, though the listed pairing is island cheese, so you should treat extras as variable rather than guaranteed.

The portions are described as generous, and six wines over two hours is enough for a proper tasting. It is also plenty for many people, so pace yourself. If you are driving, arrange a sober driver or another way back before you arrive.

You do not need to be a serious wine drinker. One particularly useful feature is that the explanations make the tasting accessible to beginners. Even a companion who is not keen on wine can find interest in the museum, vineyard methods, and island setting.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide is central here. This is not a self-guided museum visit followed by six unintroduced pours. A head sommelier accompanies the tour and leads the professional tasting.

The strongest part of the guiding is the chance to ask questions as you go. Past sessions led by Jacqueline, Minerva, Alexandra, and Jacky have been praised for friendly, clear presentations and strong English. The tours run in Spanish and English, so check the language when booking.

A good guide can adjust the level of detail. If you already know wine, ask about grape character, production, or food pairing. If you are new to tasting, ask for simple comparisons between the wines and practical tips for noticing aromas and flavors.

The small group helps. With a limit of 10 people, the guide has a better chance of hearing your questions and keeping the tasting conversational. Group size can still vary up to that limit, but it is far more intimate than a large bus tour.

Timing, transport, and the price

The tour lasts about two hours, with starting times based on availability. That makes it easy to fit into a Lanzarote day, but you should leave enough time around it for transport. The experience does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

The price is $57 per person. I consider that fair if you value the complete package: a guided visit, the old winery and museum, a head sommelier, six wines, and local cheese. A basic tasting with two or three pours might cost less, but it would not offer the same amount of explanation or historical context.

The value is strongest for anyone who wants to understand Lanzarote’s wine rather than simply sample it. You are paying for the guide’s expertise and for access to a working bodega with a long past, not just for the liquid in the glasses.

Taxi planning deserves attention. One group found getting a taxi from the cruise port difficult, so do not leave the return journey until the last minute. The staff may help organize a taxi, but that is assistance rather than included transportation.

The tour allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which is useful when your island plans are still shifting.

Buying bottles after the tasting

The visit ends with a chance to buy bottles, and some people take home a favorite from the tasting. The bodega offers discounts on shipping to European countries, which matters if you like the wine but do not want to carry bottles through the rest of your trip.

A shop purchase also gives you time to choose after trying the wines rather than guessing from labels. If you plan to buy, note which pour you liked best and ask the staff about shipping options before paying.

Do not assume that every bottle can be shipped to every destination. The included benefit specifically refers to discounts on shipping to European countries, so ask for current details at the bodega.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong choice for adults who enjoy food, local history, or unusual agricultural settings. You do not need a deep interest in wine. The museum and vineyard explanation give non-drinkers something to follow, while the tasting gives wine lovers enough material to compare six different pours.

It suits couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who prefer a guided activity with a limited group. The two-hour length is manageable, and the tour has enough substance to feel like a real outing rather than a short stop at a shop.

It is less suitable for families with children because the activity is adults-only for ages 18 and over. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a long walk through extensive vineyards or a full meal. The museum visit is brief, and the food is a cheese pairing, not lunch.

If your main goal is a beach day, this may not be the best use of time. If you want to see a distinctive side of Lanzarote, the combination of black volcanic ground, old winemaking tools, and local wine makes a strong case.

My booking advice

I would book this tour if you want a clear introduction to Lanzarote wine and prefer a small group over a large organized excursion. The strongest reasons are the six-wine tasting and the chance to see the old winery dating to 1775, with a sommelier explaining how the island shapes every bottle.

Before booking, check the language, starting time, and your transport plan. Keep the two-hour schedule in mind, arrange a taxi if needed, and remember that the experience is for adults only.

Skip it if you do not drink wine and have no interest in vineyard history, though the museum still adds some appeal. For most adults who enjoy local food and place-based stories, El Grifo offers good value and a more meaningful look at Lanzarote than a tasting counter alone.

FAQ

How long does the El Grifo wine tour last?

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

How many wines are included?

You taste six wines produced at El Grifo Bodega.

Is cheese included with the tasting?

Yes. The experience includes a tasting of local cheeses from producers on Lanzarote.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Is hotel transportation included?

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