Four wines, four cheeses, and big views. In 90 minutes at Bodegas Monje, you get a guided winery visit paired with a tasting flight, all in a small group (max 10). I love the pairing logic and the Teide-and-coast panorama that makes it feel like a proper stop, not a rushed production line.

I also like how specific the wines are, with a clean order and a matching cheese each time. You’ll taste Dragoblanco, Hollera, MonjeTradicional, and barrel-aged Listán Negro, each paired with local goat (and occasionally sheep) cheese.

One consideration: the pacing can feel tight, and a short intro video or explanation style may not land well for everyone. If you want a long outdoor vineyard walk, this is more winery-focused than hiking-focused.

Key takeaways before you go

• Small group (max 10) keeps the tasting from feeling crowded.
• Four wines, four cheese pairings follow a clear, drink-and-snack rhythm.
• English tours exist, and weekend English times are fixed at 11am and 5pm.
• The location is remote by Tenerife standards, so plan transport carefully.
• You’re 18+ only, since the tasting includes alcoholic beverages.
• Vegetarian option is available if you ask when booking.

Bodegas Monje near El Sauzal: why the setting matters

This is one of those Tenerife wine experiences where the place helps the wine. Bodegas Monje sits in the El Sauzal area, above the coast, with views that can sweep from the Atlantic toward volcanic silhouettes like El Teide. When the group sits down to taste, the scenery is part of the pacing: you slow down, sip, and actually pay attention.

The winery experience is also built for small groups. With a maximum of 10 people, you’re more likely to get time to ask questions and hear the story behind what you’re drinking. And because the tour is guided in English (along with Spanish), you’re not stuck guessing what you’re tasting.

Finally, there’s a clear focus on Canarian identity. The tasting flight uses wines made from local practices and grapes, then pairs them with cheeses tied to different islands. That island-to-island pairing is fun because it turns the tasting into a mini map of the archipelago.

Price and what $42.24 really buys you

The price is $42.24 per person for about 90 minutes on-site, and it includes a surprising amount of “stuff that usually costs extra.” You’re not just paying for wine. Your ticket covers:

• a professional guide
• wine tasting (four wines)
• food tasting and snacks
• alcoholic beverages as part of the planned flight
• the admission ticket
• the 7% I.G.I.C. tax

Is it “cheap”? It’s not a bargain in the way a grocery-store bottle is cheap. But for a guided, structured tasting with four wine pours plus four cheese pairings, it can feel reasonable—especially when you factor in the guide and the time.

The best way to judge the value is to be honest about what you want. If you want a quiet tasting with a real explanation and pairing logic, this tour fits. If you’re hoping for a long, vineyard-walk tour for the same price, adjust your expectations. Some people find the tasting portion concise or the pacing a bit rushed.

Getting there and the weekend English timing you must not miss

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. The tour starts at Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. If you’re coming from a cruise port or farther parts of the island, build in time and budget for a taxi or other transport option.

Timing is mostly straightforward: the tour/activity is listed around 90 minutes, and it’s pre-set. But there’s one detail that matters for English bookings on weekends.

On Saturday and Sunday, English tours are at 11am and 5pm. If you book the 4pm slot, the tasting happens first, then the tour follows at 5pm. That means you may taste before you do the full guided tour, depending on the day’s structure.

Also note the tour times are pre-set, but the experience can shift earlier or later on-site. Translation: you’re not totally stuck if you’re a few minutes off, but you should still show up on time so you don’t miss the start.

What the tasting includes: the four wines and their cheese partners

This is the heart of the experience. You’ll taste four home-produced wines, and each one comes with an artisanal Canarian cheese. The pairing is done in an intentional order, so you can notice how the cheese texture and salt level change how the next wine tastes.

Here’s the sequence you can expect:

1) Dragoblanco (young white wine)

Paired with a fresh white goat cheese from Tenerife.

This is your palate opener: lighter acidity, fresh cheese, and a clean start that makes the reds later feel less heavy.

2) Hollera (red produced using carbonic maceration)

Paired with smoked goat cheese from La Palma.

Carbonic maceration often gives a fruity, softer feel to the wine, which works well with smoky flavors. If you like reds that feel easy to drink early on, this tends to be a crowd-pleaser.

3) MonjeTradicional (young red wine)

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

Peppery cheese can push aromatics forward. This pairing is where you start tasting the differences between islands more clearly: salt, spice, and fruitiness all play off each other.

4) Listán Negro (red, aged in the barrel)

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

Barrel aging often adds depth and structure, and the cured mixed cheeses bring more intensity and fat. This is a nice finish if you like reds that feel grounded instead of just fruity.

You’ll also be given snacks as part of the tasting flow. That matters because four wines can get surprisingly heady if you’re there on an empty stomach.

Inside the winery tour: equipment, barrels, and how the process is shown

After (or sometimes before, depending on your time slot), you’ll get a guided visit through the winery. The tour format is focused on the facility itself: how the wines are made, how they’re stored, and what tools and barrels make up the workflow.

What people praise most is the way the guide explains the production steps without making it feel like a lecture. Some groups highlight the tour’s practical detail around cellar equipment, storage, and the physical setup of the operation. If you’ve never seen where wine actually rests and changes over time, this part can be the most educational.

The venue also includes spaces for events, so you may notice areas set up for gatherings. Art is part of the experience in at least some sections, which makes the winery feel more like a lived-in place than just an industrial room.

A fair heads-up: the amount of outdoor vineyard viewing seems to vary with season and how the group route is planned. One person noted that it was past harvest season and there weren’t grapes on the vines. Another point raised is that the tour may be limited to indoor winery areas rather than a long walk through vineyards. Either way, you’ll still get the view from the tasting environment if the weather is cooperative.

Views during wine time: patio seating, coast air, and what to wear

The tasting experience is strongly tied to the setting. Many people highlight a patio or terrace tasting moment with views down toward the coast and out toward Teide and the Atlantic. Even when it’s not blazing warm, it tends to feel like you’re on Tenerife for real—less cruise-port energy, more island rhythm.

Dress for comfort first. The recommended dress code is comfortable coat and footwear. That’s not overkill. Even if you’re in sun most of the afternoon, indoor cellars can feel cooler, and outdoor view time can make breezes noticeable.

If you’re a couple, this setup tends to feel romantic without requiring anything fancy. You’re sitting together, learning something, and working through the flight at a pace that isn’t frantic.

Service and guide experience: English delivery, friendly moments, and pacing

Service is a major theme in the feedback. People frequently mention that the English guide did a good job explaining wine and pairing. Different guide names show up in praise, including Irine, Sonya, and Claudia. The common thread is clear communication and a warm tone.

That said, the pacing story is mixed. Some visitors felt the group moved quickly, and at least one person reported long breaks between wines or that the tasting explanations could feel rushed. Another mention was that one group member felt less attention at the end of the tasting.

What does that mean for you? It means your experience will likely depend on the exact guide and how your group clicks. If you like a tight, structured tasting, you’ll probably be happy. If you want a slow back-and-forth, plan to ask questions early and don’t be shy about telling the guide what you want more of—pairing explanations, wine style differences, or production details.

There’s also one odd variable: one review complained about a sex-and-wine themed intro video being uncomfortable for some. That doesn’t mean it’s always included, but if you prefer a more low-key start, it’s reasonable to ask on arrival whether there’s any video component before you start drinking.

Snacks, cheese, and dietary options (including vegetarian)

This tour is built around pairing, so the cheese plate isn’t an afterthought. You’ll get the four cheeses matched to the four wines, which helps you understand whether you like fresh goat, smoked goat, peppery semi-cured cheese, or cured blends with sheep milk.

If you have dietary needs, you should mention them at booking. A vegetarian option is available, but you have to request it in advance. That’s important because the standard pairing is built around goat and sheep cheeses linked to specific islands.

Also, you’re advised to bring up dietary requirements rather than expecting last-minute changes. Since this is a timed tasting, the kitchen or prep plan needs a heads-up.

Is this tour for you? Who should book and who should skip

Book this if:

• you want a guided wine-and-cheese flight with clear pairing steps
• you like Canarian wines enough to enjoy a focused tasting rather than a long full-day tour
• you’re traveling with a partner or small friend group and want a calm setting with views
• you prefer something structured but not overwhelming (about 90 minutes)

Skip or rethink if:

• you’re hoping for a long outdoor vineyard trek. This experience is mainly about the winery and tasting flow, not a full hiking route.
• you dislike any hint of cheeky entertainment before tasting. If that would bother you, ask ahead about any intro video or themed material.
• you’re very sensitive to crowded indoor spaces. Some feedback points to a room that can feel noisy during the tasting section.

If you’re coming from a place where you only do wine tastings in big, polished venues, you might also enjoy the family-run feel. The small-group limit adds to that “real place” vibe.

Should you book Bodegas Monje?

Yes, if you want a compact, guided taste of Tenerife wine culture with four wines and four island cheese pairings, in a small group, with a view that actually makes you look up from the glass. The $42.24 price works best if you’ll enjoy the structure: each pour tied to a specific flavor partner.

I would only hesitate if you’re expecting a long vineyard walk, or if you know you won’t enjoy a possibly themed intro or a tight schedule. In that case, you might be happier with a longer, outdoor-focused tour that matches your pace.

If you’re a wine lover who likes pairing more than just drinking, this is a solid call.

FAQ

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

It’s listed at about 1 hour 30 minutes (estimated), and the on-site experience runs on a pre-set time slot.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a professional guide, wine tasting (four wines), a food tasting with snacks, and alcoholic beverages as part of the tasting. Admission is included in the ticket price, and it also includes 7% I.G.I.C. tax.

Are the tours offered in English?

Yes. The winery tours are offered in English (and Spanish). On Saturday and Sunday, English tours run at 11am and 5pm. If you book the 4pm slot, the tasting is first and then the tour is at 5pm.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at Bodegas Monje, C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is there a vegetarian option?

A vegetarian option is available. You should advise your dietary requirements at the time of booking.

What’s the cancellation and refund deadline?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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