A short ferry-and-fort view isn’t the only Tenerife treat. This family-run Bodegas Monje experience combines a guided winery visit with a structured wine-and-cheese tasting in a small group (max 10), plus that big-sky coast feeling over the valley. I especially like the clear pairing format and the fact that you’ll taste four home-produced wines, each matched with a Canarian cheese. One thing to consider: the tour focuses on the winery itself, so don’t expect a long outdoor vineyard walk.

The vibe tends to be personal. When English tours run, guides such as Irine, Sonya, and Claudia have been specifically mentioned for clear explanations and friendly service. I also like that the format is tight and doable: about 90 minutes, and you finish back where you started at Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal. If you’re sensitive to presentations, ask ahead about any video or thematic content included in the tour intro.

Quick hits: what makes this Tenerife wine tour work

• Max 10 people keeps the pacing human and the questions possible
• Four wines, four pairings gives you an easy way to compare styles side by side
• Canary grape focus with varieties like Listán Negro and Dragoblanco
• Small winery setting with cellar/process time rather than a big-studio show
• Tasting outdoors is often part of the experience, with terrace/patio views
• Vegetarian option available, if you ask when booking

Where Bodegas Monje sits (and why that matters)

This tour meets at Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, in El Sauzal (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). The big practical point: there’s no hotel pickup, and the winery is not right in a cruise-port hotspot. So plan on a taxi or your own transport from where you’re staying.

That location also helps the feel. You’re in a quieter part of Tenerife, away from the busiest roads, with wide views toward Teide and out to the Atlantic. Even when the day is breezy, the winery’s terrace/patio setup (when the timing works) turns the tasting into more than just sipping indoors.

Price and value: why $42.24 feels fair here

At $42.24 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, this isn’t a budget “grab a glass and go” stop. But it’s priced like a proper small experience because you get more than wine alone:

• A guided winery tour plus a tasting
• Four specific wine pours
• Four cheese pairings
• Snacks
• Alcoholic beverages included for what’s in the tasting plan
• A professional guide

Also, you’re not just paying for the wine. You’re paying for the structure: the guide ties each pour to a style and then brings the cheese in to match. That’s where people tend to feel the value—especially if you like learning enough to order with confidence later.

Meeting point, timing, and what to expect from the schedule

You start and end at the meeting point: Bodegas Monje in El Sauzal. Most of the activity runs in a single block of around 90 minutes, but the schedule can shift depending on the day and the language slot.

Two timing notes matter:

• On Saturday and Sunday, English tours run at 11:00 and 17:00.
• If you book the 16:00 slot on those days, the tasting happens first, followed by the tour at 17:00.

You’ll want to show up on time because the group is small. Also note that the experience can happen a bit before or after the listed time on a given day (for example, tasting at 12:00 with the tour at 13:00). When you book, read the confirmation and go by the time shown there.

What happens during the Bodegas Monje tour (the real flow)

You’ll experience the day in one main sequence: Stop 1 at Bodegas Monje, with the tour and the tasting built together.

Start: the winery visit

You begin with a guided look at how this winery operates. The emphasis is on the winery’s setup and process, and the pacing is designed so you still get through the tasting cleanly afterward.

A key expectation to set: this experience is primarily about what’s inside the winery. So if you’re hoping for a long outdoor vineyard walk, you might be a little surprised. The experience is set up to get you tasting and learning without turning it into a full hike.

Then: tasting four wines with four cheeses

The tasting is the heart of the visit, and it’s intentionally staged so each wine has its own cheese partner. You’ll taste in this order:

1) Dragoblanco (young white)

Paired with fresh white goat cheese from Tenerife.

2) Hollera (red made using carbonic maceration)

Paired with smoked goat cheese from La Palma.

3) Monje Tradicional (young red)

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

4) Listán Negro (red aged in the barrel)

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

This lineup is clever for comparison. You can taste how the island variety and winemaking style changes what you notice on the palate—especially when cheese enters the picture. The smoke pairing with Hollera is a standout logic move: the wine’s fruit-forward character typically holds its own next to a smoky profile, and the cheese gives your mouth something to latch onto.

What about snacks and extra drinks?

Snacks are included alongside the tasting. Alcohol is included for what’s part of the tasting plan; other alcoholic drinks can be purchased if you want to continue tasting after the structured pours.

The cheese pairings: why they make the wines easier to understand

The cheese plan here isn’t random. It’s built to show contrast across the islands and across dairy styles:

• fresh white goat
• smoked goat
• semi-cured peppery goat
• a mix of cured goat and sheep milk

I like this because it gives you a fast, practical way to learn what you truly enjoy. If you love bright, fresh whites, the Dragoblanco + fresh goat pairing points you directly toward that style. If you’re curious about how red wine changes with funk, smoke, and cure level, Hollera and Listán Negro give you that test in small doses.

One small practical tip: take a breath and pace yourself. Four wines in one sitting can blur your memory if you rush. If the guide offers a chance to compare, do it slowly. That’s when you’ll actually taste the differences.

The views and the patio/terrace factor

A lot of the appeal is visual. The winery sits above the coast with views that tend to include the Atlantic and Teide in the distance on clear days. Even if you don’t get perfect weather, the setting adds a calm, outdoors feeling to the tasting.

If your time slot supports it, you’ll likely taste on a terrace/patio area rather than only inside. That’s worth leaning into because wine and cheese feel more Canarian when you’re looking out across the fields and valleys.

Dress for that reality. Wear comfortable footwear, and bring something warm enough for a breeze. The winery notes a comfortable coat and shoes, which is honest advice in a coastal location where evenings can cool quickly.

Small group size: how that changes the tour experience

This is capped at 10 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. With a small group, the guide can slow down when someone asks a question—and you don’t feel like you’re on rails.

English tours are offered, and multiple guides have been mentioned by name in standout comments, including Irine and Claudia, plus Sonya leading English explanations. That’s a good sign that the tour isn’t just “hand you a glass and move on.” You should expect time for questions and a guided explanation of what you’re tasting and why it pairs.

Still, keep expectations realistic: the pacing is fixed around a 90-minute visit. If you’re someone who wants a long, deep tasting session, this tour is short by design. It’s built to be a focused sampler.

Who this Tenerife wine and cheese tour is best for

This fits well if you want a short, structured Tenerife winery stop with a high chance of good pairing flavor.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• like comparing multiple wine styles in one visit
• enjoy local food pairings (especially goat cheese)
• prefer small-group instruction over large bus tours
• want a half-day-ish activity that doesn’t swallow your schedule

It’s also a good match for couples or small groups who want a calm setting and room to chat with the guide. If you’re a wine super-specialist, you may want more time per wine, but the four-pour structure is still a solid way to learn what these wines are like.

Vegetarian? A vegetarian option is available—just tell them at booking so they can prepare appropriately.

The one drawback to plan around

The most common “watch out” is the format. This is a winery-and-tasting experience focused on the facility, not a full vineyard sightseeing loop. Expect to spend more time with the cellar/process and then at the tasting tables than wandering long outside routes.

Also, tours can include presentation content as part of the winery story. If the tone of any video or themed material worries you, ask the guide ahead of time. That one small step can prevent an awkward moment for you or your group.

Should you book this Bodegas Monje wine and cheese tasting?

If you want a value-forward Tenerife winery visit that ends with you knowing how four Canary wines taste next to four Canarian cheeses, this is a strong choice. I’d book it if you like organized tastings, local food pairings, and a small-group vibe with real views.

I would skip or choose something longer if you specifically want a big vineyard walk, lots of outdoor time, or a slower multi-hour tasting session. For a focused 90 minutes in El Sauzal with four wines and four cheese pairings, Bodegas Monje makes the most of your time.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Tenerife Bodegas Monje tour?

The activity is listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes (estimated).

How much does it cost?

The price is $42.24 per person.

What time do English tours run on Saturday and Sunday?

On Saturday and Sunday, English tours run at 11:00 and 17:00. If you book the 16:00 slot on those days, the tasting happens first and the tour follows at 17:00.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Bodegas Monje on C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

Included: a professional guide, food tasting/snacks, wine tasting, and alcoholic beverages related to the tasting. Admission is included, and the price includes 7% I.G.I.C tax.

Which wines and cheeses are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste four home-produced wines paired with four cheeses: Dragoblanco with fresh Tenerife goat cheese; Hollera with smoked La Palma goat cheese; Monje Tradicional with semi-cured peppery Fuerteventura goat cheese; and Listán Negro with cured goat plus sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.

Do I need to be a certain age?

Yes, this activity is for those aged 18 years or over.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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