A winery tour with four cheese pairings. I love how small-group it feels (max 10 people), and I also like the format: a guided visit plus a tasting of four home-produced wines matched with local Canarian cheese. One thing to consider is that the experience can include a short sex-themed wine video element, and a few people found it uncomfortable.

The setting helps a lot. You’ll be at Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal, with the kind of views that make you pause mid-sip—toward the Atlantic and down toward the Teide area.

The tour is about 90 minutes, and it’s not huge and not complicated. Still, the pace and room setup can vary depending on the session, so if you want quiet, ask what the tasting space is like when you check in.

Key Highlights to Know Before You Go

• Max 10 guests means you actually get your guide’s attention during the tastings.
• Four wines, four cheese pairings lets you taste a range of styles, not just one “safe” option.
• English-guided sessions are offered on specific days/times, including Saturday and Sunday.
• Bodega Monje makes its own wines with methods tied to the Canaries, like carbonic maceration and barrel aging.
• Terrace views are part of the deal, and many people end up lingering after the tasting.

Where Bodegas Monje Is, and Why El Sauzal Feels Different

Bodegas Monje Wine & Tours is based in El Sauzal, in the Tenerife area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360). This matters because the winery isn’t a quick stop you can tack onto a busy city afternoon. It’s more of a “go there on purpose” outing.

From the moment you arrive, the vibe is calmer than you’d get in a downtown tasting room. You’re also not just looking at vines from a distance. The winery setup is built around production and hosting, with spaces where you can taste in front of views that stretch out toward the coast and volcanic backdrop.

If you’re using a taxi, plan for the fact that you may be waiting while the tour runs. One practical move is to ask the driver about waiting when you’re heading there—so you don’t feel rushed finding transport right after your tasting.

Price and Value: What $42.24 Really Buys You

At $42.24 per person, this isn’t a “fill-your-glass and leave” deal. You’re paying for a guided winery visit plus a structured tasting that includes:

• A tour with a professional guide
• A food tasting and snacks
• Four wine tastings
• Alcoholic beverages included as part of the experience
• 7% I.G.I.C tax included in the price

For wine fans, the value is in the pairing logic. You don’t just taste random bottles—you taste four specific wines and get four specific cheeses that match the style. That’s what turns the session into an education you can repeat later on your own at dinner.

The group size also helps the price feel fair. With a cap of 10 people, you’re less likely to get lost in the shuffle, and you can ask follow-up questions when something clicks.

The 90-Minute Rhythm: How the Winery Visit and Tasting Usually Unfold

The experience is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s designed as one continuous block that ends back at the meeting point. In real life, the flow can shift slightly: you might get tastings first or the tour first depending on the day and your booked time.

The biggest thing to know is that Saturday and Sunday English tours are at 11am and 5pm. If you book 4pm on those days, the tasting happens first, and then the winery tour starts at 5pm. So if you’re trying to fit this into a tight itinerary, treat the time on your ticket as the anchor and confirm the day-of order with staff.

Also note: the activity can sometimes run before or after the set tour time. For example, you might see a pattern like tasting at 12 noon and the tour at 1pm. That flexibility can be useful, but it’s also why you should build in some breathing room around it.

Stop at Bodegas Monje: What You’ll Learn and Taste

The core of the experience is the Bodegas Monje stop. You’ll get a guided look at the winery’s methods and setup, then a tasting built around four wines and four Canarian cheese pairings.

This is the heart of the value. Instead of a generic talk, the pacing is structured around what you’re tasting and how it’s made. You’ll go from “what am I drinking?” to “why does it taste like that?” pretty quickly.

The Four Wine Pairings (and What to Expect from Each)

Here’s the tasting line-up exactly as it’s presented, with the cheese pairing:

1) Dragoblanco (young white wine)

Paired with a fresh white goats cheese from Tenerife.

Expect this to be lighter and more about freshness. It’s a good entry point if you’re not sure where your palate sits on the dry/sweet spectrum.

2) Hollera (red wine using carbonic maceration)

Paired with smoked goats cheese from La Palma.

Carbonic maceration often brings forward fruit-forward character, and the smoke from the cheese gives you contrast. If you like bolder aromas, this pairing tends to be a favorite.

3) MonjeTradicional (young red wine)

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

This one feels like the middle “kick.” The peppery note is meant to play off the wine’s character, so you’ll taste more spice and grip than in a plain mild pairing.

4) Listán Negro (red aged in the barrel)

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

Barrel aging often adds depth, so expect more structure here. The cured blend of goats and sheep milk is designed to stand up to that heavier base.

If you’re a wine lover, I like that the set isn’t all one color or one style. You taste across white and red, and across production approaches—so you leave with a better mental map of what each method brings to the glass.

The Tasting Space: Terrace Views vs. Indoor Comfort

Many sessions are set up to let you taste with views—people specifically mention enjoying wine tasting on a patio/terrace with sea and vine scenery. That’s a real part of the experience, not just a nice photo background.

At the same time, you should know one potential downside: depending on the session, the tasting portion may happen in a room that can be lively—inside the shop area, with customers talking and shopping nearby. One guest called out the noise and comfort issue directly, and it’s the kind of thing that can affect whether you feel relaxed during the tasting.

If you’re sensitive to noise or you want a quieter vibe, it’s smart to ask when you arrive:

• Where will the tasting be held for your session?
• Is there an option to sit outside, weather permitting?

The Guide Experience: Why People Remember Specific Names

Guides are a major factor here, and multiple sessions are described as friendly and organized, with explanations given in English. In the feedback, a few guide names come up directly, including Irine, Sonya, and Claudia.

What you should watch for is how the guide handles pacing and questions. Some sessions seem to flow smoothly, while a minority of experiences felt rushed or like the explanation turned more sales-focused than educational. If you’re the type who likes asking “why” questions, you’ll probably get more out of the tour if you show up ready with a couple of topics—like how carbonic maceration changes aroma, or how barrel aging shifts tannins.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a strong match if:

• You want four wine tastings matched with real local cheese
• You like small groups where the guide can answer questions
• You’re happy with a short, focused outing instead of a half-day excursion
• You enjoy Canarian flavors, especially goat cheeses from different islands

It might feel less ideal if:

• You want a deep, long vineyard walk (this is mostly a winery visit and tasting block, not a big trekking route)
• You need a totally neutral environment—because one element that includes a sex-themed wine video has bothered some people
• You dislike indoor noise and prefer quiet tasting rooms every time

Practical Tips So You Get the Best Session

A few small moves can make the day better:

• Wear comfortable footwear and bring a comfortable coat. Even if Tenerife feels warm, winery touring can mean cooler air and breeze near open views.
• If you’re booking around the weekend English slots, double-check the schedule. English tours on Saturday/Sunday are at 11am and 5pm, with a special order if you book 4pm.
• If you have dietary needs, tell the operator at booking. There’s a vegetarian option available, and it’s best to request it early.

Also: don’t underestimate how good this can be for couples. It’s short, scenic, and easy to talk through during the tasting without needing a long agenda.

Should You Book Bodegas Monje Wine and Cheese Tasting?

I’d book this if you want a well-structured tasting in Tenerife that’s small-group, view-forward, and built around pairings you’ll remember. The pricing makes sense because it’s not just four glasses—it’s four wines with four purpose-paired cheeses, plus snack support and a guided visit.

Skip it (or consider another winery) if you’re chasing a long outdoor vineyard experience, or if you’re uncomfortable with a sex-themed video element that has been mentioned by guests. And if you’re particularly noise-sensitive, ask where the tasting will happen for your session.

If you want a clean, satisfying Tenerife wine stop that doesn’t eat your whole day, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes (estimated).

What’s included in the tasting?

You get a guided winery tour plus a tasting of four home-produced wines, each paired with artisanal Canarian cheese, along with snacks and included alcoholic beverages.

Are there English tours available, and what times should I look for?

English is offered. On Saturday and Sunday, English tours are scheduled for 11am and 5pm.

If I book the 4pm time on Saturday or Sunday, what happens?

For Saturday and Sunday, if you book the 4pm slot, the tasting is first, followed by the winery tour at 5pm.

Is there a vegetarian option?

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

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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