Tenerife Gastronomy Tour with Two Winery Visits and 4-Course Lunch

Wine tours on Tenerife can be hit or miss. This one is built around La Laguna’s old-town atmosphere plus cheese-and-wine tastings at two wineries, then finishes with a relaxed lunch set against ocean views.

You’ll get a guided, north-island taste of a different side of Tenerife, with help from guides like Iskra and Olga who tend to keep the day organized and in motion.

One thing to plan for: the day can feel like a long logistics marathon, especially if you are far from the south pickup zone or you end up spending extra time on the road.

Key highlights worth your attention

• La Laguna walk with free time, including options like church entrances if you want to pay extra
• Casa del Vino de Tenerife tasting with a museum setting and a simple intro film
• Three wine samples paired with cheese at the first wine stop
• Bodegas Monje lunch with sea views, plus a winery cellar visit
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 35 travelers
• English-speaking guiding and a mobile ticket for easy entry

A north-island day built around food, not just wine

This tour is designed as a full day change of scenery. Starting in the south means you’ll typically drive north into a part of the island that feels greener and more humid, and that contrast is half the appeal. The itinerary also aims to break the day into digestible chunks: a town stop, a winery tasting stop, then an extended winery meal stop with views.

The overall timing is straightforward on paper. Pickup is offered from select hotels, you depart around 9am, and the tour runs about 8 hours. In real life, traffic and hotel drop-offs can stretch the day, so set expectations accordingly.

I like that it is not just a “sit, drink, repeat” format. You get narration along the way and structured stops where you can taste, look around, and eat without having to plan anything yourself.

La Laguna first: where the tour slows down (a little)

Your first stop is San Cristóbal de La Laguna’s Centro Histórico, where you get time to walk on your own. This is the part of the day that gives the experience its identity beyond wineries. La Laguna is the old colonial capital, with restored buildings and historic corners that make wandering feel natural instead of forced.

You’ll typically have about 1 hour here, and that time matters. Some people use it to browse, pop into a café, or just get their bearings. If you want churches, you may see an option for paid entrance. Just know that with limited time, you will not cover the whole town. You can, however, get a good sense of why this place is considered special.

The group stays together, but you are not stuck listening the entire time. And if you are the type who loves a quick city reset before food, this first stop is a smart way to start.

Casa del Vino de Tenerife: the tasting that sets expectations

Next comes Casa del Vino de Tenerife, a wine museum and tasting stop located in the old cellar associated with red wines from a historic hacienda setting. You’ll usually get about 1 hour total at this stop, and that hour is intentionally front-loaded.

Here is what you should expect:

• A short intro video or film about Tenerife and the role of Canarian wine history
• A tasting of three wines
• Cheese served alongside the wine samples

This is a great format if you want to learn the basics without making your day a university lecture. The tastings are small and structured, so you can compare flavors without feeling overwhelmed. One review highlight was buying a bottle after trying the rosé, which makes sense, because the tasting is meant to help you identify something you genuinely like.

A practical note: this is the stop where people tend to feel most satisfied with the “wine plus story” balance. If your main goal is to leave understanding what you tasted, this is the most consistent moment of the itinerary.

Bodegas Monje: lunch with sea views, plus the cellar visit

The highlight for many people is Bodegas Monje, where lunch is included and the setting is meant to be the relaxing payoff. The tour description calls for a 4-course lunch, and the plan includes wine during the meal and time afterward for a winery experience.

What you will likely notice right away is the shift from tasting-room pacing to dining pacing. This is where you can slow down, eat properly, and enjoy the ocean views. Some guides keep the meal portion light on speeches and heavier on hospitality, which works well when everyone is hungry.

One of the most praised parts of the lunch was the pork dish, described as slow cooked for many hours, and served as part of a traditional meal style. People also mentioned side snacks like cheese and honey during the broader lunch experience, which helps explain why the meal felt generous to many.

Now, a key caution: even though it is presented as four courses, some diners felt the “course count” did not match expectations. In practice, it may read more like three main parts plus extras like bread, coffee, or smaller bites. The important takeaway is that you should still expect a proper sit-down lunch with wine, but you should not expect the food to come out like a textbook fine-dining tasting menu where everything is clearly labeled and explained as it lands.

After lunch, you also get a cellar tour. Some people found this portion the most “real winery” part of the day, especially when the host explained production in a hands-on, atmospheric way. Gift shop opportunities exist, though some groups found they did not have the time or the guidance to really shop afterward.

The pacing reality: early pickup, traffic, and when the day drifts

Even when the itinerary is clean, Tenerife traffic has a talent for stretching plans. Some reviews describe long coach time before the first stop and longer-than-expected return times due to multiple drop-offs.

If you are based in the south pickup zone, you often have a smoother day. If you are not, you may end up paying for taxis or losing value because the drive to the north takes time you would rather spend eating and tasting.

Also, you should plan around the fact that you cannot count on eating during the coach ride. One review specifically flagged that you cannot eat on the bus, so if your pickup is early, grab breakfast before you leave. Pack a snack if you tend to get hungry fast, but stick to what you are allowed on board.

Air-conditioning issues come up too. Some buses run fine, and others do not. If you are sensitive to temperature, bring a light layer. And if you get on early, it is easier to settle in before the group crowds in.

The good news is that once you reach the first stop, many people reported the day clicks into place. Guides like Christopher, Olga, Iskra, Mia, and Olga (yes, more than one guide earned praise) were repeatedly described as organized and able to keep the group moving.

How “two winery visits” really plays out

On paper, you get two winery stops. In the best version of the day, those two stops complement each other:

1. Casa del Vino gives you tasting context and cheese pairings.
2. Bodegas Monje delivers lunch plus a cellar tour.

In the less smooth versions, the second winery portion can feel more meal-focused than tasting-focused. Some people described getting wine during lunch but not always getting a guided, step-by-step match between the specific wines and the exact foods served. Others felt the tasting component was lighter than expected, particularly if they were hoping for a bigger, more formal flight after the meal.

So I would frame this tour as:

• Food-forward with wine included
• Plus wine-and-cheese tasting early on
• With winery history and a cellar visit that can be more about atmosphere and production than about a long flight

If your top priority is a deep wine tasting where you repeatedly sample and compare multiple wines with detailed explanations, you might prefer a more specialized private tasting format. If your priority is a full day in the north that ends with a proper lunch and ocean views, this tour can hit the mark.

Price and value: when $98.52 makes sense

At about $98.52 per person, this tour is priced like a package deal. And it is one, with a professional guide, air-conditioned coach, food-tasting, and lunch included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select hotels, which is the part that can turn the value either way.

Here is the value equation that matters:

• If you are in the south Tenerife pickup area, you usually get the most convenience and the best return on the price.
• If you are outside that zone, you might lose value quickly because the time and cost to reach the starting point can be significant.
• If the lunch is close to what you expected and you enjoy the pace, the meal plus wine plus winery visit can feel like a bargain.
• If you are laser-focused on exactly a 4-course breakdown and a full tasting sequence at the second winery, you may feel disappointed.

The tour also has a maximum group size of 35, which usually helps keep the day from feeling like a stampede.

Who this tour suits best

This is a good fit if you want:

• A structured day that mixes town sights plus wineries
• A seated lunch with wine and a scenic setting
• A guided day without the hassle of planning routes, reservations, or tastings

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate long bus rides and prefer short, local experiences
• Expect the second winery to function like a detailed tasting room with multiple wine flights and clear pairings
• Are traveling from outside the south pickup zone and do not want to pay for taxis

If you are traveling with mixed ages, the pacing can work well because the town stop gives flexibility and the meal stop is comfortable. Just be aware that long coach time can still challenge people who dislike sitting for hours.

Tips to make the day smoother

A few practical moves help you enjoy the tour even if the day runs long:

• Eat breakfast before pickup. You may not be able to snack on the coach.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes for La Laguna’s free time.
• If you care about how vegetarian meals work, request the vegetarian option at booking so the kitchen can prepare ahead.
• If you want more clarity about wines served at lunch, it helps to ask your guide before the meal starts. Some groups felt the wine explanations lagged behind the food.
• Keep a small amount of cash or card ready in case you decide to buy a bottle at a winery shop, since gift shop time is not always long.

Should you book this Tenerife gastronomy tour?

Book it if you are excited about a north-side day with a historic town stop, two winery experiences, and a lunch that is often described as one of the best meals of the trip. The combination of La Laguna plus a properly hosted lunch stop is where the tour earns its good reputation.

Skip it or consider an alternative if you are traveling from outside the south pickup zone and you want a short drive, or if your main goal is a detailed wine tasting where every wine is clearly tied to a specific course with lots of explanation.

If you are happy with a food-and-wine package day where the tastings are straightforward and the meal and views are the big payoff, this tour is a very reasonable way to spend a full day on the island.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife gastronomy tour?

It runs for about 8 hours (approx.).

What time does the tour depart?

The tour typically departs at about 9:00am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from select hotels. Pickup is available in the south area of Tenerife, including places like El Médano, Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso, Playa San Juan, Alcalá, Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago, and Los Gigantes.

What are the main stops on the itinerary?

You visit Centro Histórico de San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Casa del Vino de Tenerife, and Bodegas Monje.

Are wine and cheese tastings included?

Yes. At Casa del Vino de Tenerife, you sample three wines along with cheese. At Bodegas Monje, lunch includes wine, and you also get a winery cellar visit.

Is lunch included, and is it four courses?

Lunch is included at Bodegas Monje. The tour description says 4-course lunch, but some people felt it was more like three courses in how it was presented.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, and you should advise at the time of booking.

What languages is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 35 travelers.