Four wines, four cheeses, big views. This 90-minute stop at Bodegas Monje is a friendly, family-run winery tour where you taste four home-produced wines matched with Canarian cheeses in a calm, scenic setting. The main thing to watch is that the tasting can feel a bit rushed depending on timing and guide pacing.

I like how the experience keeps its size small (max 10 people), so you’re not just watching from the back row. And I like that the flight isn’t vague: you get specific pairings tied to different islands and wine styles, from young whites to a barrel-aged red. Still, if you want a slow, super-interactive seminar about viticulture, the format may feel more like a well-run tasting than a deep classroom.

If you’re going on the weekend, plan around the set English times: 11am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Go in comfy shoes and expect the meeting point in El Sauzal, not by the main tourist strip.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Small group size (up to 10): easier questions and a more relaxed feel.
• Four wine-and-cheese pairings: each pour comes with a matching island cheese.
• Terrace/patio tasting with ocean and Teide views: it’s part of the “why this is worth it.”
• English tours available: and the winery tour itself runs in Spanish and English.
• Clear flight of wines: from Dragoblanco to barrel-aged Listán Negro.
• Vegetarian option: request it when you book.

Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal: what this winery outing feels like

This is a classic Canary Islands style wine stop: family-run, practical, and focused on what’s in the glass and what’s on the plate. You meet at Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal. From there, the group stays together and moves through the winery at an easy pace.

The vibe is not flashy. It’s more “let’s show you how it’s done here.” You’ll get a guided walk through their facility, then settle in for tastings paired with cheese. One of the best parts is the setting. Many people note the view—vineyard fields stretching toward the sea, with Teide in the background on clear days.

Group size matters. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you’re much more likely to hear what the guide is saying and ask questions without feeling like you’re interrupting a conveyor belt.

The 90-minute flow: winery tour plus 4 wines with 4 island cheeses

The experience runs about 1 hour 30 minutes. You’re not here for a full half-day winery adventure. You’re here for a tight, guided taste of Monje’s approach—plus an introduction to Canary wine through their chosen styles.

How the tasting and tour timing can shift

English schedules on weekends are fixed: Saturday and Sunday English tours are at 11am and 5pm. If you book the 4pm slot, the order flips: the tasting happens first, then the tour follows at 5pm.

That detail changes your rhythm. If you prefer to walk through the place first and then taste with everything “in context,” aim for the standard order when possible. If you’re more of a relax-and-sip person, tasting first can be a pleasant warm-up.

Stop: the Bodega Monje tour and wine-cheese tasting

This is the heart of it: a guided tour of the winery plus tasting four home-produced wines, each matched with four cheeses.

Here are the pairings you’ll taste:

• Dragoblanco (young white wine) + fresh white goat cheese from Tenerife
• Hollera (red made using carbonic maceration) + smoked goat cheese from La Palma
• MonjeTradicional (young red wine) + a semi-cured, peppery goat cheese from Fuerteventura
• Listán Negro (red aged in the barrel) + cured goat and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria

That pairing logic is more useful than it sounds. You’re not just tasting four wines in a row; you’re learning how different processing styles (like carbonic maceration and barrel aging) can change what you want to eat alongside them.

What you can expect during the tour itself

You’ll walk through their production and storage areas and see the equipment and setup used to make and hold the wines. In the reviews, people highlighted the sense of “seeing the real place,” including the winery’s lower level where events can be hosted. You may also notice that art and functional spaces are both part of the facility’s character—so it doesn’t feel like a sterile, industrial stop.

The wines: what each glass is teaching you

If you’re the type who remembers details after a wine tasting, this flight gives you handles to hold onto. Each wine points to a different style, and the cheese pairing nudges your palate in a new direction.

Dragoblanco: crisp start with Tenerife goat cheese

Dragoblanco is the calm opener: a young white meant to feel fresh and clean. Paired with a fresh white goat cheese, you’re getting a bright, slightly tangy cheese that helps you notice acidity and freshness in the wine.

Hollera: carbonic maceration with smoked goat cheese

Hollera is described as a red produced using carbonic maceration. That method often gives reds a fruit-forward feel with a softer edge. The smoked goat cheese from La Palma adds smoke and depth, giving you a contrast that makes the wine feel even more “alive.”

MonjeTradicional: young red with peppery semi-cured cheese

MonjeTradicional is a young red, and the pairing is a semi-cured peppery goat cheese from Fuerteventura. This is the most “conversation” pairing in the lineup. Peppery cheese can add spice notes that make you pay attention to fruit and spice in the wine.

Listán Negro: barrel-aged red with mixed cured cheeses

Listán Negro is barrel aged. Barrel aging typically gives you more structure and texture, plus extra complexity you may not notice right away if you rush. The pairing here is serious: cured goat and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria. It’s one of those matches that can bring out richer flavors and make the red feel rounder instead of heavy.

The cheese pairing: why it works better than a random snack

A lot of wine tours hand you cheese like an afterthought. Here, the cheese is part of the teaching. You’re tasting four wines, and each time the cheese is from a specific island and has a specific style—fresh, smoked, semi-cured peppery, and cured goat/sheep.

You also get the benefit of variety. Goat cheese dominates, but the texture and flavor shift across the flight. That’s how you learn the “why” behind pairings without needing a technical tasting vocabulary.

If you’re worried about cheese allergies, bring it up when you book. The experience offers a vegetarian option, but the standard flight is built around cheese, so your needs should be confirmed ahead of time.

Views and setting: the patio moment you’ll remember

One theme comes up again and again: the location. People describe a spectacular view—coastline, vineyard fields, and often Teide in the distance. Even if the sky is a bit cloudy, the terrace/patio feel still gives you that “I’m not just in a tasting room” moment.

This matters because it changes the pacing. When you’re outside with scenery, the flight feels like a pause in your trip instead of a task to complete.

Guides and group energy: what makes the tour feel personal

Because the group is small, the guide’s style shows. You’ll notice it in how questions get handled and how much time is spent explaining each wine.

English service is offered, and multiple guides were mentioned in different visits, including Irine, Sonya, and Claudia. The common thread in the feedback is that guides were friendly and willing to answer questions, with a clear focus on the wines and local context.

One thing I’d keep in mind: if you’re the kind of person who wants constant interaction, you might still find the tasting format moves from wine to wine on a schedule. The best results come when you ask questions during the guide’s pauses rather than waiting for the end.

Price and value: is $42.24 worth it?

At $42.24 per person, you’re paying for a guided winery tour plus a guided flight. The price includes:

• professional guide
• wine tasting
• food tasting and snacks
• alcoholic beverages included in the planned flight
• 7% IGIC tax

You’re not just buying a glass. You’re buying four glasses plus a structured pairing with four cheeses, delivered by someone who actually knows the lineup.

Where value can drop is transportation. There’s no hotel pickup and drop-off, so you’ll handle your own ride. If you’re coming from the cruise port, one reviewer flagged that a taxi can be expensive for the short distance. If you’re staying in the north or near Santa Cruz, you may have cheaper options.

For most people, the real value question is simple:

• If you want an easy, guided taste in a scenic setting, this price is fair.
• If you want hours of vineyard walking and a slow, academic course, you’ll want a longer, more intensive tour.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

A few small choices make a difference:

Dress for the winery, not the city

Wear comfortable footwear. You’ll be walking inside and outside areas of the property, and one guideline mentions bringing a coat and comfortable shoes.

Plan your questions

With only up to 10 people, you can actually speak up. Ask about the wine style you liked most—especially carbonic maceration (Hollera) and barrel aging (Listán Negro). Those are the two most “process-driven” talking points in the lineup.

If you’re sensitive to anything awkward

One visit mentioned an uncomfortable topic in connection with a wine-themed video shown during the experience. The main takeaway for you: if you prefer to skip anything like that, ask the guide in advance or right at the start.

Vegetarian needs

If you want the vegetarian option, tell them during booking so you don’t get surprised on the day.

Who should book this tour?

This tour is a strong match for:

• couples and small groups who want a quick, high-quality wine and cheese session
• people who like variety and want to taste multiple Canary wine styles in one outing
• visitors staying in Tenerife who want a scenic break with minimal planning

It’s less ideal if:

• you want long, vineyard-heavy walking tours (this experience is focused on the winery and tasting sequence)
• you dislike structured formats with timing and pacing
• you’re expecting a super deep technical lecture for the full 90 minutes

Should you book Bodegas Monje? My decision guide

Book it if you want a compact tour with four specific wines, four specific cheese pairings, and a real setting with views. The small group size is a big reason it feels more personal, and the flight itself is built to teach your palate instead of just offering random pours.

Hold off or look for something longer if you crave a slow, vineyard-walking program and lots of open-ended conversation. Also, if you’re sensitive to any entertainment-style elements (one review called out a wine-themed video), message your preferences when you book and talk to the guide early.

If your goal is a fun, scenic wine stop you can fit into a day without stress, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife Bodegas Monje wine and cheese tour?

The activity lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get a professional guide, winery tour time, wine tasting, food tasting (snacks), and alcoholic beverages included in the planned tasting.

How many wines and cheeses are tasted?

You taste four home-produced wines, and each one is paired with a cheese selection.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, a vegetarian option is available if you request it at the time of booking.

What time do the English tours run on Saturday and Sunday?

On Saturday and Sunday, the English tours are at 11am and 5pm. If you book the 4pm time, the tasting happens first, followed by the tour at 5pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point in El Sauzal.

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