Tenerife Bodegas Monje Winery Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting

A small winery with big views. I love the max 10-person group, and I love how the tasting pairs four Canarian wines with regional cheeses that actually make sense together. The pacing is the main catch, it is a short 90-minute experience, so the explanations can feel a bit quick if you want lots of back-and-forth.

English support is part of the setup, with tours offered in English and Spanish, and guides like Irine, Sonya, and Claudia are known for clear explanations. The winery itself is at Bodegas Monje on C. Cruz de Leandro, 36 in El Sauzal, a good starting point when you want to get out of the busier coastal areas.

Key things you will notice right away

• Small group size (10 max) keeps the tour from feeling like a factory stop.
• Four wine-and-cheese pairings map different islands and styles in one session.
• English availability on weekends means you can time your visit without guessing.
• Terrace and view time makes the tasting feel more like a breather than a checklist.
• Family-run winery vibe shows up in how they explain production and serve the tasting.
• Vegetarian option available if you ask when booking.

Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal, Tenerife: the setting that makes the tasting work

This tour is based at Bodegas Monje, in El Sauzal, not far from Santa Cruz de Tenerife but far enough to feel like a real change of pace. You go to a place that focuses on wine production, not just tasting rooms built for tourists. And the views matter. Expect wide coastal sight lines, with Mount Teide often in the background when the weather is kind.

That matters because it changes how the 90 minutes feel. Wine tastings can be stiff when they happen indoors, but here the experience is set up to slow you down. Even if the tour moves at a practical pace, the setting gives you a reason to look up between pours.

The winery is also easy to picture as you arrive. The meeting point is Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal. The tour ends back at the same spot, so you are not dealing with a complicated back-and-forth plan.

The 90-minute flow: guided winery tour plus a four-wine tasting

The core of the experience is simple: a guided winery tour followed by a structured tasting. The estimated time is about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the format includes the guide, snacks, and alcoholic beverages tied to the tasting.

What you can expect in practice:

• You start with the winery tour portion, guided through the production and storage areas.
• Then you move into the tasting with four wines.
• Each wine comes with a dedicated cheese pairing, so you are not just sipping, you are tasting intentionally.

Because it is a short tour, it rewards you if you come with curiosity. If you ask questions, you may get quick answers but not a long rabbit hole. If you prefer slow sipping with lots of dialogue, you might feel rushed toward the end.

One more small but real point: the tasting includes snacks. That helps, since you are trying four wines and you might be drinking at a higher pace than you would on your own.

Weekend English tour timing: plan your 11am and 5pm slot

If you want the tour in English, timing matters. On Saturday and Sunday, English tours run at 11am and 5pm. The schedule detail that affects your visit is this: if you book the 4pm slot, the tasting is first, followed by the tour at 5pm.

That is worth planning around. If you are the type who likes to tour first and then relax with a glass, aim for the time that matches your preferred order. If you just want the tasting and views and do not mind the order, any English slot can work.

Also note that tour times are pre-set, but the activity can take place a bit before or after the set tour time. This is common with small operations, so I recommend leaving buffer time and not stacking back-to-back reservations right afterward.

Four Canarian wines and cheese pairings, mapped island by island

This tasting is the main reason to book. You try four home-produced wines, each paired with an artisanal Canarian cheese. That pairing approach is the difference between a basic tasting and one that feels like you are learning something.

Here is the exact flight you can expect:

1) Dragoblanco (young white wine)

Paired with a fresh white goats cheese from Tenerife.

This is your reset glass, bright and lighter, and the cheese pairing is designed to keep things clean and fresh rather than heavy.

2) Hollera (red wine produced using carbonic maceration)

Paired with smoked goats cheese from La Palma.

The carbonic maceration style tends to make the wine feel fruit-forward and energetic. The smoked cheese adds a smoky note that gives the wine a stronger edge. It is a contrast tasting, and it is one people often remember.

3) MonjeTradicional (young red wine)

Paired with a semi-cured peppery goats cheese from Fuerteventura.

Young reds can taste lively and direct, and the peppery character of the cheese helps highlight spice and structure.

4) Listán Negro (Red, aged in the barrel)

Paired with cured goats and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria.

This is the deeper, more time-in-the-glass portion. Barrel aging gives the wine more weight, and the cured cheese adds savory depth.

If you like trying wine styles you cannot easily find at home, you will appreciate the variety. You are not just sampling different labels, you are tasting different methods and flavor directions across the Canaries.

Winery tour highlights: what the guide shows you (and what you might want to ask)

The guided winery tour is part of the 90 minutes, and it is focused on how Bodegas Monje makes their wines. You are guided through the production and storage areas, including equipment and barrels, which makes the place feel real rather than purely staged.

From a practical standpoint, I recommend paying attention to two things during the tour:

• How they explain production steps in plain language (especially if you are not a wine technical person).
• How the guide connects the method to the tasting so you understand why a wine tastes the way it does.

Most guides keep things approachable, and several English-speaking guides known for their friendly service are cited for answering questions clearly. That said, this experience is short. If you are a serious wine geek who expects a long, vineyard-style walkthrough, you may find the pace more suited to general visitors than to deep technical training.

One more consideration you may want to keep in mind: there have been occasional complaints about the experience feeling rushed or overly focused on events at the winery. If you are the type who wants a more neutral, purely educational tour, ask the guide early what is included and how much time you will get in the production areas versus the tasting room.

The service and vibe: small group, friendly English guidance

This is built for a more personal feel, with a maximum of 10 travelers. That small group size changes how the tasting flows. You are more likely to hear answers clearly, and it is easier for the guide to keep track of questions.

Guides in English have been described as warm, professional, and interactive. People also note how pairing explanations are made to connect cheese flavors with wine character, not just list facts. If you enjoy conversational tours, this format is usually a good fit.

However, one complaint does come up: the tasting room can be busy and noisy depending on the day, especially if the winery is also operating as a shop with customers around. If you are sensitive to noise, plan on asking for the best spot during the tasting, or choose the terrace time if that is offered during your slot.

Price and value at about $42.24 per person

At $42.24 per person, this sits in the middle range for Tenerife wine experiences, and the value depends on what you want.

Here is why the price can feel fair:

• You get a guided tour plus wine tasting of four home-produced wines.
• You get snacks and cheese pairings, not just a couple of sips.
• The tasting includes alcoholic beverages tied to the planned flight.
• The group size is small (10 max), which usually means less “mass-tour” feel.
• It includes tax (7% I.G.I.C tax), which avoids a surprise later.

If you already know you want a full tasting session and you like structured pairings, this price is easier to justify. If you expected a long vineyard walk or a very hands-on production experience, you might feel the short duration limits how much you get for the money.

Also, transportation costs can change your total value. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you will likely pay for a taxi or local transport to reach El Sauzal. If you are coming from a cruise port, that added cost can be the difference between feeling like a deal and feeling like it is just a nice afternoon.

Getting there, getting set, and what to wear

There is no hotel pickup. You meet at Bodegas Monje and return there afterward. So your day needs a little local logistics planning.

A few practical tips based on how places like this work:

• Wear comfortable footwear. You will likely walk through winery areas and move between spaces.
• Dress for cooler moments. A comfortable coat is recommended, and some visits can be cold or cloudy.
• Plan your transport with the alcohol in mind. You are tasting four wines, so having a reliable ride matters.

If you want extra time for photos, you will likely get better results when you are not rushing your transport. Build a small buffer into your schedule.

Who this tour suits best on Tenerife (and who should skip)

This works best if you want a short, organized Tenerife wine experience with real Canarian flavors. You will likely enjoy it if you:

• Like guided tastings with clear pairing logic.
• Want to try multiple wine styles in one place, especially Canarian varieties and methods like carbonic maceration.
• Prefer small group tours over crowded bus rides.
• Want views of the coast and Teide in the same outing.

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want a very long, in-depth vineyard walk. This is more about the winery experience and tasting session.
• Get irritated by short pacing. The whole visit is about 90 minutes.
• Are uncomfortable with anything suggestive or adult-themed. One guest flagged an internal wine-and-sex themed video as a concern, so if that sort of content would bother you, it is smart to ask what will be shown before it starts.

A quick word on vegetarian needs

If you need vegetarian options, you can request a vegetarian option when booking. That is the key point: tell the provider ahead of time so they can plan the tasting and pairing accordingly.

Should you book Bodegas Monje for wine and cheese on Tenerife?

I would book this if you want a small-group Tenerife winery tour that includes a structured four-wine tasting with cheese pairings tied to different islands. The value is strongest when you care about the tasting flight and you can make it there without stress, since pickup is not included.

I would think twice if you need a long, slow, totally unhurried tour or you expected a vineyard-focused walk. The best approach is to book with realistic expectations: this is a focused winery tour plus tasting, designed for an efficient, friendly afternoon.

FAQ

Where does the Tenerife Bodegas Monje tour start and end?

It starts at Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the winery tour and tasting?

The estimated duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

What wines and cheeses are included in the tasting?

You taste four home-produced wines paired with four cheeses:

Dragoblanco with fresh white goats cheese from Tenerife, Hollera with smoked goats cheese from La Palma, MonjeTradicional with semi-cured peppery goats cheese from Fuerteventura, and Listán Negro (barrel-aged) with cured goats and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The winery visits are given in Spanish and English. For Saturday and Sunday, English tours are at 11am and 5pm, and if you book 4pm, the tasting is first and then the tour happens at 5pm.

What is included in the price?

The included items are a professional guide, food tasting, wine tasting, snacks, and alcoholic beverages (as part of the tasting). The ticket price also includes admission, and 7% I.G.I.C tax is included.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, and you should advise the provider at the time of booking about your dietary requirements.