Two hours, six pours, and volcanic wine magic. This El Grifo Bodega experience pairs a guided walk at Lanzarote’s historic winery with a stop at the onsite museum, then hands you tastings led by the head sommelier. The big draw for me is the 1775 Wine Museum setting, where you understand why this place matters before you start tasting.

I also like the format: a small group (up to 10) keeps the questions coming and the pace relaxed, so you can actually learn what makes Lanzarote grapes different. One thing to plan for: there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need your own way to get to the bodega.

Key things to love about the El Grifo Wine Lovers tour

• Head sommelier-guided tasting with a clear focus on Lanzarote grapes and flavors
• Historic visit at the old 1775 winery museum, plus a look at tools and production methods
• Vineyard walk that explains how trade winds and volcanic soil shape the vines
• 6 on-site wines tasted with pairing snacks, including local cheese
• Learn the grapes behind what you’re drinking: Malvasía, Listán Negro, and Syrah
• Shipping discounts to European countries if you want bottles sent home

Entering El Grifo: where Lanzarote wine starts

The first thing you notice at Bodega El Grifo is the setting. Lanzarote doesn’t do gentle farming. The wind is a constant personality, and the vines are grown to handle it. That’s why the tour starts with context instead of just handing you a glass and hoping for the best.

You’ll be guided through the winery grounds, with the head sommelier leading the tasting portion and helping connect what you’re seeing in the vineyards to what you’re tasting in the glass. Expect an easy-to-follow flow: learn the story, walk the vines, then taste the wines made from those same grape varieties.

Another big win is that you don’t just stay in a tasting room. The museum stop turns the visit into something closer to “how it works” instead of “what it tastes like.” You’ll hear how the winery operated over time and how production methods evolved, then you’ll taste wines that are still rooted in that island approach.

And yes, the wine tasting is the highlight. But the tour is designed so the wine has reasons behind it, which makes the experience stick.

The vineyard story: trade winds and volcanic soil in plain language

This tour gives you a useful mental model for Lanzarote wine: trade winds plus volcanic soils create conditions that force the grapes to express themselves differently than you’d expect elsewhere in Spain.

You’ll learn how those conditions connect to the island’s core grape varieties—Malvasía, Listán Negro, and Syrah. The guide explains what the vines are dealing with and why that affects both the taste and the style of the wines. It’s not academic. It’s practical. You’ll start to recognize why certain flavors show up again and again in the tastings.

During the walk, you’ll see how the vineyard is laid out to protect the vines from the wind. One detail that can really help you picture it: vines grow in semi-circular stone enclosures designed to buffer the gusts. It’s the kind of local adaptation that makes you understand why these wines have a distinct Lanzarote fingerprint.

Also, expect some movement outdoors. Even when the group stays small, you’ll be walking around and looking closely at the vines and how they’re managed on this volcanic terrain.

Inside the Wine Museum: 1775 history you can see

The wine museum at El Grifo is where the visit gets especially interesting. This isn’t a generic display. The museum is housed in the old winery space and served as the site of the original operations going back to 1775, described as the oldest of its type in the Canary Islands.

You’ll get a sense of how wine was made in different eras by seeing tools and utensils from the 19th and 20th centuries. The stop helps you understand the long timeline: what winemaking looked like when the winery was operating, how methods changed, and when the old facility closed in the 1990s.

Why is this museum stop valuable? Because Lanzarote wine isn’t only a brand. It’s a craft shaped by place and time. Seeing the physical objects makes it easier to appreciate what “on-site production” means today. When you later taste the wines, it’s not just flavor bingo. You’re tasting a modern version of a long-running island process.

The museum visit also gives you a breather from the wind outside, which matters because the bodega area can be breezy.

The 6-wine tasting: Malvasía, Listán Negro, Syrah, and more

After the museum and vineyard sections, you’ll get a professional tasting of 6 wines produced onsite. This is where the tour earns its name for wine lovers.

The guide helps you notice things like color, smell, and flavor, and you’ll get guidance that makes the tasting feel interactive rather than like you’re just repeating after the guide. You might also receive a written tasting format, which some people find helpful when you want to remember what you liked and why.

The grapes you’ll hear about most clearly are:

• Malvasía
• Listán Negro
• Syrah

Those grapes matter because they’re the backbone of how the island expresses itself. The tasting is structured so you learn the characteristics behind each variety rather than treating every pour as a random new label.

You may also taste styles that feel lighter and refreshing early on, then deeper or more structured later. One runner-up detail I like about this tasting setup: it’s not one long pour-fest without context. The guide keeps explaining what you’re smelling and why the wine might taste the way it does.

For wine novices, this is a friendly way to build your palate fast. For regular wine drinkers, it’s a chance to taste familiar grapes in a volcanic island environment and catch the differences.

Cheese pairing that actually supports the wine

The tasting isn’t wine only. You’ll get local cheese snacks paired alongside your pours. This matters more than people think, because cheese can either sharpen your perception or wreck it depending on pairing choices.

Here, the pairing is set up to keep the flavors in sync. You’ll taste a variety of wines and match them with cheeses that fit the profile of what’s in the glass. Expect small bites designed for snacking—not a full meal.

A practical plus: if you have dietary limits, it’s worth asking. At least one participant reported that when they were lactose intolerant, the team offered alternative snacks for the tasting pairing. That’s not something you should assume without checking, but it’s a sign the staff pays attention.

If you like to learn by doing, the pairing portion is where you’ll feel the guide’s advice become real. One sip can make more sense after one bite, and suddenly you can explain to yourself what you’re enjoying.

Price and value for about $59 per person

At $59 per person for 2 hours, this tour lives in the mid-range for wine tastings. The value comes from what’s included, not just the number on the price tag.

You’re paying for:

• A guided visit of the historic bodega setting
• A stop at the onsite museum
• A guided tasting of 6 on-site wines
• Cheese pairing snacks
• The expertise of a guide and the head sommelier during tasting

Two hours is also a sweet spot. Long enough to get context and taste widely. Short enough that you can still plan the rest of your Lanzarote day without feeling trapped in a half-day tour.

There’s another “quiet value” point: discounts on shipping to European countries are included. If you fall in love with a bottle, the tour can turn into an easy way to take your favorite wine home without playing international logistics roulette.

So, is it worth it? If you care about wine and want more than just a quick glass, yes. If you only want a casual tasting with no interest in the grapes and the island conditions, you might want a simpler option.

Practical tips for comfort: wind, drizzle, and lava-stone footing

Lanzarote can throw weather at you. Even in a short tour, be ready for wind and possible drizzle. People have noted that the staff can offer waterproofs, which is a relief if the sky changes its mind.

Still, don’t show up in flimsy shoes. The grounds can include lava stones, so you’ll want something stable. Comfortable sneakers work best. If you’re planning to move fast, also consider slip-on or easy-to-adjust shoes, especially if it’s damp.

And bring a light layer. You’ll be outside for parts of the experience, and you’ll likely feel the temperature shift between vineyard areas and indoor museum or cellar spaces.

Lastly, remember the logistics: no hotel pickup or drop-off means you should plan transportation in advance. Even if you’re only dealing with a short ride, it prevents the classic scramble at the end of the tasting when you’re still a bit busy talking about your favorite pour.

Who should book this El Grifo wine tasting tour

This tour fits best if you want a structured tasting with real context. If you’re the type who likes learning why a wine tastes the way it does, you’ll enjoy the focus on Malvasía, Listán Negro, and Syrah, plus the explanation of trade winds and volcanic soils.

I’d also recommend it if you’re visiting Lanzarote and want a cultural stop that isn’t stuck in a showroom. The museum setting helps make it feel tied to the place, not just an airport-style tasting.

It’s adult-only (18+), which often makes the vibe more focused and calm. If you prefer small-group pacing, you’ll appreciate the limit of 10 participants.

One more note: if you’re planning your day around comfort and minimal walking, this still involves moving around the property. It’s not a marathon, but it does mean you’ll want to feel good on your feet.

Should you book El Grifo’s Wine Lovers tour?

Book it if you want a smart mix of history, vineyard education, and a proper 6-wine tasting with cheese pairing. The museum adds depth, and the head sommelier guidance makes the tasting feel earned rather than rushed.

Skip it only if your priority is very casual drinking with no interest in grape varieties or Lanzarote’s growing conditions. With its 2-hour format, small-group approach, and $59 price, it’s best for people who enjoy learning while tasting.

If you can handle a short outdoor walk and you’ve got a way to get there without pickup, this is an excellent use of a Lanzarote afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the El Grifo Wine Lovers tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Is this tour adults only?

Yes. It’s only for adults aged 18+.

What wines will I taste?

You’ll taste 6 of the best wines produced onsite. The tour focuses on grapes including Malvasía, Listán Negro, and Syrah.

Is the museum included?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the onsite Wine Museum.

What food is included with the tasting?

You’ll have cheese snacks paired with the wine tasting.

How big is the group?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

Do they pick you up from your hotel?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The live guide offers Spanish and English.

Is there any benefit for shipping wine home?

Yes. The tour includes discounts on shipping to European countries.

Can I cancel for free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.