Tenerife Bodegas Monje Winery Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting

Taste Tenerife one glass at a time. Bodegas Monje combines a family-run winery tour with four local wines and four Canarian cheeses, all served in a beautiful setting above the coast. I especially like the small group limit of 10 people and the chance to taste wines from several Canary Islands, not just Tenerife. The main drawback is that the experience can feel rushed or uneven when the winery is busy.

The views are a major part of the appeal. From the grounds and terrace, you may see vineyards, the Atlantic Ocean, and Mount Teide. I also like the reasonable price of about $42.24 per person, though you should remember that transport is not included and the winery sits outside the main city areas.

Key points to know before booking

• Four wines and four cheeses: Each pour comes with a different artisanal Canarian cheese.
• A small group setting: The tour accepts no more than 10 people, which allows more room for questions.
• Strong views from El Sauzal: The setting looks across vineyards toward the ocean and, on clear days, Mount Teide.
• English tours have fixed weekend times: Saturday and Sunday English tours are at 11am and 5pm.
• The tasting may happen before the tour: A 4pm booking can begin with wine and cheese, followed by the winery visit at 5pm.
• Allow extra time for transport: Hotel pickup is not included, and taxi costs can be significant from Santa Cruz or a cruise port.

Why Bodegas Monje makes a good Tenerife stop

Bodegas Monje is in El Sauzal, on the north side of Tenerife, at C. Cruz de Leandro, 36. This is not a quick city-center tasting room. You are heading into vineyard country, where the views help explain why the setting matters as much as the wine.

The winery is family-run, and the experience gives you a look at the production areas, cellar, barrels, and equipment. It is not a long vineyard study or a full-day agricultural tour. Instead, it is a compact introduction to Canarian wine, designed to fit comfortably into a morning or afternoon.

I think the best reason to come is the combination of place and pairing. Four wines can blur together when served without food, but the cheeses give each tasting a clear contrast. You get fresh, smoked, semi-cured, and cured cheeses, with milk from goats or sheep depending on the selection.

The small group cap is useful here. With up to 10 people, the guide can usually keep the explanation personal and answer questions without shouting across a large room. Several guides have been praised for being warm and engaging, including Irine, Sonya, and Claudia, although the exact guide depends on the day.

The winery visit: equipment, barrels, and Canarian wine

The tour begins at Bodegas Monje and takes you through the winery facilities. You can expect information about the family business, wine production, storage, and the way the cellar operates.

One interesting feature is the variety of spaces inside the building. The winery includes production areas, barrels, a lower-level room used for events, and a shop where you can purchase bottles and other local products. Art is displayed on one level, adding a little more character than you might expect from a basic cellar visit.

The tour focuses on the winery rather than a long walk through the vineyard rows. That distinction matters. If you want to study vines, soil, pruning, and grape harvesting in the field, this may feel limited. Some people have found the tour more like an introduction to the business and its events than a technical wine course.

The timing can also vary. The activity is described as about 90 minutes, while some information allows up to two hours. A sensible plan is to keep two hours free, especially if the tasting and tour are separated by a scheduled gap.

The guide’s style makes a big difference. On a good day, you get clear explanations of the wines, the cellar, and the role of wine in the Canary Islands. Some guides have made the talk funny and interactive. On a busy day, the operation may feel less organized, with one staff member covering the shop, tour, and tasting.

Four wines, four cheeses, and a useful tasting sequence

The tasting is the heart of the experience. You receive four home-produced wines, each paired with a Canarian cheese selected to match it.

Dragoblanco with fresh Tenerife goat cheese

The first pour is Dragoblanco, a young white wine. It comes with a fresh white goat cheese from Tenerife.

This is a gentle way to begin. The fresh cheese gives you a clean, mild pairing before the tasting moves into stronger flavors. If you usually prefer white wine, this may be your favorite glass. It is also a good starting point for comparing a young wine with the more mature red served later.

Hollera with smoked cheese from La Palma

Next comes Hollera, a red wine made using carbonic maceration. It is served with smoked goat cheese from La Palma.

The production method gives the guide something specific to explain, and the smoked cheese adds a clear flavor change from the first pairing. This is one of the more distinctive combinations because the smoke brings extra weight to the tasting without requiring a large portion.

Monje Tradicional with peppery Fuerteventura cheese

The third wine is Monje Tradicional, a young red. It comes with a semi-cured, peppery goat cheese from Fuerteventura.

Here the cheese has more character and a firmer texture. The pairing shows how local cheeses can alter the way you notice a wine. If you are new to tasting, pay attention to how the peppery cheese changes the finish of the red.

Listán Negro with cured Gran Canaria cheese

The final wine is Listán Negro, a red aged in the barrel. It is paired with a cured cheese made from goat and sheep milk from Gran Canaria.

This is the strongest finish of the four. The barrel-aged red and cured cheese both bring more depth than the opening pairings. Some people prefer the white or sweeter options, while others enjoy the dry reds. The tasting includes several dry wines, so it may not suit you if you only drink sweet wine.

The portions have been described as generous, though the pace can vary. In some sessions there are long pauses between pours. In others, the final part feels hurried. If you want to ask about a wine, do it as soon as it is poured rather than waiting until the end.

The setting is part of the price

The winery’s views are among its strongest features. You may look over fields and vineyards toward the sea, and clear weather can reveal Mount Teide. A terrace tasting can be especially pleasant, with the wine and cheese served against that wide view.

Weather affects the mood. A cloudy or cool day can make the outdoor area less comfortable, so bring a coat and wear practical shoes. The suggested dress code is comfortable clothing, a coat, and comfortable footwear.

The grounds also offer more than the formal tour. Bodegas Monje has a restaurant where you can buy food and wine, along with a shop selling bottles and products such as mojo. If you arrive early, you may be able to use the restaurant before the tasting, although food and drinks beyond the included items cost extra.

The setting helps justify the price more than the amount of wine alone. In Tenerife, a local glass can be inexpensive in a restaurant, so this is not the best choice if you are simply looking for the lowest-cost way to drink wine. You are paying for the guide, the cellar visit, four pairings, the setting, and the chance to compare wines from across the Canary Islands.

Getting there from Santa Cruz or a cruise port

Transport deserves careful planning. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the winery is not in central Santa Cruz.

A bus can be inexpensive, but the trip may take considerably longer. One account describes a journey from Santa Cruz involving a short bus ride followed by a longer connection, with the full trip taking around 50 minutes or more. A taxi is faster, but the fare from the cruise port or Santa Cruz can be high compared with the tour price.

If you take a taxi, arrange your return before you arrive. The winery is in a more remote area, and a taxi driver may offer to wait for a small fee. That can be sensible if you have a fixed tour time or need to return to a ship. A delayed ride back could erase the savings of booking a low-cost tasting.

The meeting point is Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal. The tour ends at the same place, so you must handle your own return journey.

Weekend times and the odd 4pm arrangement

Saturday and Sunday English tours are scheduled at 11am and 5pm. Check the exact time carefully before paying, especially if you are coordinating transport.

A 4pm booking may not mean the whole activity starts at 4pm. The tasting can take place first, with the winery tour following at 5pm. That arrangement is not a problem if you know about it, but it can be confusing if you arrive expecting an immediate guided walk.

Tour times are fixed, but the tasting and tour can sometimes take place before or after the listed slot. Build in a little flexibility rather than planning another activity immediately afterward.

The tour is for people aged 18 and over because alcohol is included. Most people can take part, but specific dietary needs should be stated when booking. A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance.

What could be improved

The experience is not perfect. The biggest concern is consistency. Some sessions offer a warm welcome, clear information, and generous pours. Others can feel disjointed, especially if one employee is covering several jobs.

The tasting room may also be less private than you expect. At busy times, it can take place near the shop, with other customers talking and shopping nearby. That noise can make it harder to hear the guide and reduces the calm feeling you want from a wine tasting.

The winery also presents a video connected with its wine and sex events. This may be amusing to some people, but it can make others uncomfortable. If you prefer a more traditional wine education, you may find this part unnecessary.

Another limitation is the level of technical detail. The tour offers useful background, but it is not aimed at serious wine students. You may hear plenty about the winery and its wines without getting a detailed lesson in soil types, fermentation control, or vineyard management.

I would also like a printed list of the four wines and a short note about each one. With four pours and four cheeses, it is easy to forget which cheese went with which glass by the end.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I think Bodegas Monje suits couples, first-time wine tasters, cruise passengers with enough time, and anyone who enjoys scenery along with local food. The 90-minute format is easy to fit into a north Tenerife day.

It is also a good choice if you want to try Canarian products beyond the usual tourist menu. The cheese pairings make the tasting feel local, and the wines show different styles and islands.

You may want to skip it if you need hotel pickup, dislike fixed schedules, or want a long vineyard walk. It is also less suitable for anyone who wants a quiet, formal tasting with detailed technical instruction.

Book at least a day ahead if your schedule is tight. The experience is often reserved around 11 days in advance, so popular English times may not remain open at the last minute.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the booking is nonrefundable, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book Bodegas Monje?

Yes, if you see this as a scenic local tasting with a short winery tour, not as a full wine-school lesson. The four wine and cheese pairings, small groups, and views toward the Atlantic and Teide offer good value at about $42.24, especially for couples and food-focused visitors.

Before booking, check the English time, confirm your transport, and allow up to two hours. If you can handle those details, Bodegas Monje offers an enjoyable look at Tenerife’s wine culture, with enough flavor and scenery to make the trip worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Bodegas Monje tour take?

The activity is estimated at about 90 minutes, though some timing information allows up to two hours. The tour and tasting may not happen back to back.

What wines are included?

The tasting includes Dragoblanco, Hollera, Monje Tradicional, and Listán Negro. You receive one tasting pour of each wine.

What cheeses are paired with the wines?

The pairings include fresh white 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.

Are English tours available?

Yes. Visits are offered in Spanish and English. On Saturdays and Sundays, the English tours are scheduled for 11am and 5pm.

Is transportation included?

No. You must make your own way to Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.