Tacoronte: Guided Winery Tour with Wine and Cheese Tastings

Wine tastes better with a story behind it. At Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal, you get a guided look at a family winery dating to 1750, followed by four Canary Island wines paired with four artisan cheeses. I especially like the unusual grape varieties grown in volcanic soil and the chance to taste cheeses from Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria.

The setting is another major draw. Vineyards, coastal views, and an attractive old winery make this feel like more than a simple tasting room visit. The main drawback is that the tour itself may feel brief, and the English presentation can move quickly when the guide is also speaking Spanish.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Four wines, four cheeses: Each pour has its own pairing, including smoked, semi-cured, and fully cured goat cheeses.
• A family winery since 1750: The tour connects present-day production with the long story of the Monje family.
• Volcanic Tenerife wine: You learn how the island’s soil and Atlantic setting shape its grapes and finished wines.
• A memorable unusual pour: Hollera, made using carbonic maceration, gives the tasting a style you may not have tried before.
• Excellent setting for lunch: The winery restaurant is popular, so reserve ahead if you want to stay after the tasting.
• Good access and flexible booking: The experience lasts two hours, is wheelchair accessible, and allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

Arriving at Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal

Bodegas Monje sits in El Sauzal, in northern Tenerife, with views across the coast and vineyards around the property. The meeting point is the winery itself, so you do not need to find a separate office or city meeting spot.

If you are coming from Santa Cruz or the cruise port, plan your transport carefully. One visitor arranged a taxi from the port for about 45 euros each way, with the winery staff helping organize the return. That can still compare well with a cruise-line excursion, but a taxi makes the overall cost higher than the 41-dollar tour price.

The building and grounds are part of the appeal. The outside view gives you a sense of the wine country, while the inside reveals a larger operation than you might expect from the first approach. Bring a camera, since the property has several pleasant spots for photographs after the guided portion.

The setting also helps explain why this is not just a drink-and-leave activity. You are visiting a working family winery in a place where vines, sea air, volcanic ground, and local food all meet.

The Monje Family Story Since 1750

The tour begins with the history of the Monje family and its vineyards. Bodegas Monje has operated since 1750, and the guide uses the building and production areas to explain how winemaking developed on Tenerife.

This part is useful even if you are not deeply interested in wine. It gives context to the bottles in front of you. Instead of treating Canary wine as an obscure product with a label you may not recognize, the guide explains why the islands produce wines with their own character.

Guides have received particularly warm praise for making this section friendly and easy to follow. Natalia was singled out for mixing solid information with humor, while Caleb was praised for turning the history into an enjoyable part of the visit. Other guides have also been described as welcoming and passionate about their work.

The English tour is available, but the pace can matter. On weekends, English departures are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If the guide explains points in both English and Spanish, the presentation may take a little longer or feel less detailed in English. One English-language visitor found the guide’s speed challenging, especially without a strong background in wine.

My advice is simple: listen for the main ideas, and ask for clarification when needed. You do not need a technical wine education to enjoy this outing, but it helps to say so if wine terms start arriving faster than the samples.

From Vineyard to Bottle

The guided portion covers the winery and production areas, giving you a look at how wine moves from grape to bottle. You learn about the grapes grown in Tenerife’s volcanic soil and the methods used to make several of the wines served later.

This is not a strenuous activity. You see the vineyards from the property and pass through the wine-making areas, but the experience does not appear to include a long walk through the actual fields. That point matters if you are hoping to study pruning, vine training, or individual plants up close.

Some visitors wished for more vineyard time, while others appreciated the compact format. I see it as a good fit for a two-hour stop, particularly if you have a busy Tenerife itinerary. You receive useful background without giving up half a day.

The guided visit can also finish in less than the full two-hour booking window, depending on the pace and group. That is not necessarily a problem, since the tasting and time to enjoy the setting are central parts of the outing. Still, you should not expect an extensive agricultural tour.

The Four-Wine Tasting

The tasting is the heart of the experience. You receive four wines, each paired with a cheese chosen to match its flavor and style. The pairings make the tasting easier to understand, since you can compare how the wine changes with food rather than judging each glass on its own.

Dragoblanco with Fresh Tenerife Goat Cheese

The tasting starts with Dragoblanco, a young white wine paired with fresh goat cheese from Tenerife. The fresh cheese gives the first pairing a clean, gentle beginning.

This is a sensible opening combination for someone who does not usually drink wine. The cheese softens the tasting and gives you an immediate link to local food. It also shows that Canary wine is not limited to heavy reds or sweet bottles.

Hollera with Smoked Goat Cheese from La Palma

Next comes Hollera, a red made using carbonic maceration. This method gives the wine a different feel from a more familiar young red, and it was one of the most memorable parts of the tasting for many people.

The pairing is smoked goat cheese from La Palma. The smoky edge of the cheese gives the wine more depth and makes this course feel more distinctive than a standard winery sample. If you enjoy trying something outside the usual wine-shop lineup, pay close attention here.

Monje Tradicional with Peppery Fuerteventura Cheese

The third pour is Monje Tradicional, a young red paired with semi-cured goat cheese from Fuerteventura. The cheese has a peppery character, adding a sharper note to the tasting.

This pairing shows how the Canary Islands contribute more than just grapes. Each cheese comes from a different island, so the tasting becomes a small tour of the archipelago. You are not simply being handed four unrelated samples.

Barrel-Aged Listán Negro with Cured Mixed-Milk Cheese

The final wine is a barrel-aged red made from Listán Negro. It comes with cured cheese made from goat and sheep milk from Gran Canaria.

This is the fullest pairing of the four and provides a natural finish. The cured cheese has more weight than the fresh opening sample, while the barrel aging gives the wine a broader finish. If you prefer red wine, this may be your favorite pour.

The exact balance will depend on your taste. One person may prefer the unusual Hollera, another the final aged red, and someone who normally avoids wine may favor the white. The point is the range: four distinct styles, paired with cheeses that make the differences clear.

Why the Cheese Pairings Matter

The cheeses are not a small snack added to the side. They are a major reason the tasting works so well. You sample fresh, smoked, semi-cured, and cured cheeses, with milk from goats or a mix of goat and sheep.

This gives the tasting a strong sense of place. Tenerife supplies the first cheese, then La Palma, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria appear in later courses. The food keeps the experience tied to the Canary Islands rather than turning it into a generic Spanish wine stop.

The pairings also make the 41-dollar price easier to justify. You are receiving a guided winery visit, four wines, and four cheeses, not just a few small pours at a bar. The value is strongest if you care about local products and want some explanation with your tasting.

Do not expect additional food or drinks to be included. If you are hungry, plan to eat afterward at the restaurant rather than treating the tasting as a full meal.

Staying for Lunch at the Winery

The on-site restaurant is a useful bonus, but lunch is not part of the tour price. Several people enjoyed the meal enough to stay after the tasting, and the setting gives you a good reason to linger.

Reserve ahead if lunch is important to your plans. The restaurant can become busy, and an unplanned meal may not fit neatly into your schedule. This is especially worth considering if you are visiting from a cruise ship and need to return to the port by a fixed time.

The winery shop is another practical stop. You can purchase bottles and other products after the tasting, although flying with wine may limit how much you can take home. If you are traveling by plane, think about baggage rules before buying several bottles.

How the Tour Compares with Its Price

At 41 dollars per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine in Tenerife, but it offers more than a basic tasting flight. The price covers the guided visit and four wine-and-cheese pairings in a scenic winery with a long family connection to the area.

I consider it good value for three reasons. First, you receive enough variety to understand several Canary wine styles. Second, the cheeses are carefully matched and come from several islands. Third, the setting gives you time to enjoy views and the property instead of sitting in an ordinary tasting room.

The value is less convincing if you want a long vineyard walk, a technical lesson on viticulture, or a large meal. The guided tour may feel short, and some visitors wanted more detail about each individual bottle. If your main goal is to taste as many wines as possible, you may find the four-pour format modest.

For most people, though, the combination of place, food, and explanation makes the price fair. It is particularly attractive compared with a larger organized excursion where you spend more time on transport than at the winery.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most

I would recommend Bodegas Monje to wine beginners, couples, solo visitors, food lovers, and anyone with an interest in Tenerife beyond the beach resorts. The tasting is structured enough for a newcomer, yet the unusual grape varieties and production methods give experienced wine drinkers something to think about.

It also works well for solo visitors. You do not need a large group to enjoy the format, and the tasting gives you an easy way to focus on local food and wine at your own pace.

This is not the ideal choice if you dislike guided explanations or want complete freedom to wander vineyards. It may also disappoint you if you expect a large meal, a lengthy farm visit, or an advanced wine seminar.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, which makes the two-hour format practical for many visitors. Since the exact route through the property can depend on the day’s arrangements, contact the provider if you need details about particular access needs.

Timing, Language, and Practical Advice

The activity lasts two hours, though the guided winery section may sometimes run shorter. The tasting and time around the property help fill out the visit, so allow yourself a little breathing room rather than scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

Tours are offered in Spanish and English. On Saturday and Sunday, the English times are 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Check the available departure when booking, since the schedule matters if you are combining this with a cruise, a rental car day, or lunch.

A few simple tips will improve the visit:

• Ask questions during the tasting: The guide may move quickly, and asking about a wine or cheese can make the technical details easier to follow.
• Leave room for lunch: The restaurant is separate from the tasting, and advance reservations are wise.
• Plan transport from the port: A taxi is workable, but include both directions in your budget.
• Take time for photographs: The property and coastal outlook are among the strongest parts of the visit.
• Save space for the shop: You may want to buy a bottle or local product after tasting the wines.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you useful flexibility, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are helpful if your Tenerife schedule may shift.

Should You Book Bodegas Monje?

Book this tour if you want a relaxed introduction to Canary wine with real local food, a family winery story, and an attractive setting. The four pairings are the strongest feature, especially the Hollera with smoked goat cheese and the final Listán Negro with cured mixed-milk cheese.

I would skip it only if you want a long walk through the grape fields or a full meal included in the price. For most visitors, the 41-dollar cost is fair, the two-hour length fits neatly into a sightseeing day, and the combination of wine, cheese, and coastal views makes Bodegas Monje a worthwhile stop in northern Tenerife.

FAQ

How much does the Bodegas Monje wine tour cost?

The tour costs 41 dollars per person. Wine and cheese tastings are included, but additional food and drinks are not.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is scheduled for two hours. The guided winery portion may sometimes finish in less than an hour, leaving time for the tasting and enjoying the property.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal, Tenerife.

What wines are included?

The tasting includes Dragoblanco, Hollera, Monje Tradicional, and a barrel-aged Listán Negro.

What cheeses are paired with the wines?

The pairings include fresh goat cheese from Tenerife, smoked goat cheese from La Palma, semi-cured peppery goat cheese from Fuerteventura, and cured goat and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in Spanish and English. On Saturdays and Sundays, English tours are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Is Bodegas Monje wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.