Four pours. Big Canarian views. This 90-minute stop at Bodegas Monje pairs a guided winery tour with a small-group wine and cheese tasting in El Sauzal. You get to sip while looking out toward the Atlantic and the Teide area.

What I like most is the way the tasting is built around real pairing logic, not just random samples. You’ll taste four home-produced wines—white and three reds—each matched with a specific cheese from across the Canaries.

One possible drawback: the visit is fairly focused on the winery itself, so if you’re expecting a long outside vineyard stroll, manage your expectations. Also, if you’re sensitive to a slightly cheeky promotional video shown during the experience, you might want to ask how it’s handled first.

Key things to know before you go

• Four wines, four cheese pairings with regional specialties (goat cheese from multiple islands, plus a cured cheese blend)
• Small group size (max 10) for a more conversational feel
• Distinct wine styles, including a carbonic maceration red
• Breathtaking terrace views during the tasting
• English-guided sessions, with weekend timings that swap the order
• Vegetarian option available if you request it at booking

El Sauzal setting: the views that make the tasting feel special

Bodegas Monje is in El Sauzal, above the coast, in that part of Tenerife where the scenery feels wide-open. Even before you taste anything, you’re in the mood for it: sea air, island light, and that sense of getting out of the busier road zones.

The experience also benefits from scale. With a maximum of 10 people, it doesn’t feel like you’re being processed. You’ll have room to ask questions and actually hear the answers, especially if the group stays relaxed.

And yes, the views matter. Several people call out the patio/terrace setup and the panoramic look over grape fields and out toward the ocean. If you like your tastings with scenery attached, this place delivers.

Four-wine tasting at a family-run winery (what you’ll actually drink)

The tasting is a guided session with four wines. You’ll move through them in a set sequence, each one paired with a cheese. It’s designed like a mini “tour through styles,” so you can compare how the wines behave from glass to glass.

Here’s what you can expect, pairing by pairing:

• Dragoblanco (young white) with fresh white goat cheese from Tenerife

This is the clean, bright starter. It’s meant to set a baseline and get your palate ready.

• Hollera (red using carbonic maceration) with smoked goat cheese from La Palma

Carbonic maceration typically pushes fruit-forward character, and the smoke in the cheese gives you a contrast you can taste immediately.

• MonjeTradicional (young red) with a semi-cured, peppery goat cheese from Fuerteventura

This one brings a bit more bite. The peppery edge tends to work well if you like reds that feel lively rather than heavy.

• Listán Negro (red aged in the barrel) with cured goat and sheep milk cheese from Gran Canaria

The barrel aging shows up as deeper structure. Pair it with the cured cheeses and you get that classic “wine-and-cheese synergy” moment.

The alcohol part is included in the tasting package, and they also include snacks along with the wine and cheeses. The tour’s straightforward about it: you’re paying for a guided tasting set, not just a free-for-all pour.

Cheese pairings that help you taste Tenerife the smart way

I like that the cheeses aren’t treated like filler. Each cheese comes from a different island, and the pairing changes from fresh to smoked to peppery to cured blends. That matters because you taste the island character in the dairy too, not only in the grapes.

It also makes the tasting more educational without turning into a lecture. You can tell when a wine is doing something particular because the cheese changes. When the cheese flavor shifts, you notice what stays stable in the wine.

If you’re a cheese person, you’ll likely enjoy how the pairing choices map to the wine styles. If you’re more of a wine person, the cheeses act like a guidebook for your palate: you’ll quickly learn what you prefer (dry vs. softer styles, lighter reds vs. barrel-aged depth).

The winery tour: what you see, and why it’s worth the time

After the tasting (or before it, depending on your session—more on that below), the guide leads you through the winery areas tied to how the wines are made and stored. Based on what’s consistently mentioned, you’ll get a look at production equipment and storage space, including barrels in the cellar areas.

This isn’t a massive, multi-building wine campus experience. Instead, it feels like you’re inside the working heart of a smaller operation. That can be a plus if you like family-run wineries where you hear how things are actually done, day to day.

You’ll also hear the story behind the winery and how Canary wine production works. People repeatedly flag the guides as friendly and able to answer questions. In particular, English service gets positive mentions with guide names like Irine and Claudia showing up in feedback for being personable and clear. Sonya is another name that comes up for interaction and direct answers.

How long it lasts, and what the 90 minutes feels like on site

The activity is listed at about 90 minutes. In practice, with the pacing of the tour plus tasting, you should think of it as a short, concentrated experience rather than a half-day outing.

That’s great when you want something that doesn’t eat your whole Tenerife day. It’s also the reason a few people mention it can feel a bit rushed toward the end. If you like slow, deep conversation, go in with a couple of specific questions ready so you can catch the guide while they have time.

A couple of people also noted long gaps between pours. If you get impatient when waiting for the next wine, just plan to treat the patio view and conversation as part of the pacing.

Weekend English timing: the Saturday/Sunday swap you should plan around

English-language tours on Saturdays and Sundays run at 11am and 5pm. There’s also a timing note that affects the order: if you book the 4pm option on those days, the tasting happens first, and then the tour follows at 5pm.

Why this matters: some people prefer to start with the cellar and end with a relaxed terrace tasting. Others want the tasting first because it sets the context. If you care about that order, pick your time slot carefully.

Outside of weekends, tour times are pre-set but the order can shift around the scheduled time window. You’ll want to arrive ready to follow the guide’s plan once you’re there.

Price and value: is $42.24 worth it?

At $42.24 per person (with the stated taxes included), you’re paying for a guided experience that combines three things most wine tastings charge separately for:

1) A winery visit with an English-speaking guide

2) Four wines poured as part of a structured tasting

3) Four cheese pairings, plus snacks, with alcohol included in the package

So you’re not just buying glasses. You’re paying for a guided comparison of styles and a set pairing experience with multiple islands represented in the cheese. That’s the core value.

Is it the cheapest wine moment on Tenerife? No. But if you’re trying to taste multiple wines with pairings instead of buying a single glass somewhere, the pricing often makes more sense. Also, the small group size (up to 10) is a real value factor. That’s one reason people say it feels personal.

One caution from feedback: a few people felt the presentation leaned toward selling the winery’s products or events. If you dislike that vibe, keep your focus on the tasting and the practical guidance about how the wines are made and paired.

Practical tips so you enjoy it from minute one

This tour starts at Bodegas Monje, at C. Cruz de Leandro, 36, 38360 El Sauzal and ends back there.

A few practical tips that can make your visit smoother:

• Wear comfortable footwear. The property has enough walking for you to want real shoes.
• Bring a comfortable coat. Tenerife can feel cooler than you expect in shaded terrace/cellar spots, and people have noted it can be chilly on some days.
• If you have dietary needs, tell them when booking. A vegetarian option is available if you request it.
• Plan to manage expectations about the route. Some visitors expected more outside vineyard time. This experience focuses on the winery and tasting flow rather than a full vineyard walk.

And one extra sensitivity note: at least one person mentioned an on-screen promo with a wine-and-sex theme that made some group members uncomfortable. If that might bother you, it’s reasonable to ask the team how it’s handled before the tasting begins.

Who this tour suits best

This is a great fit if you:

• want a short, focused wine activity instead of a long, tiring day
• like structured tasting with food pairings
• enjoy learning enough to order better later, without needing a wine degree
• travel in a couple, with friends, or just with people who like chatting

It’s also ideal when you want a break from city hopping. The views and terrace feel give you that Tenerife “outside the grid” moment, without needing to rent a car just for this one stop.

If you’re the type who needs a major outdoor vineyard walk, you might prefer another style of tour. And if you hate any sales-heavy tone, go with an open mind and focus on the tasting portion.

Should you book Bodegas Monje Wine and Cheese?

I’d book this if you want a compact Tenerife experience that combines beautiful setting, a real four-wine tasting, and cheese pairings tied to different islands. The small group cap is a big plus for how the guide can talk with you, not just at you.

Skip it or choose another option if your top priority is a long vineyard excursion outdoors, or if you’re very sensitive to playful promo content that one group reported as part of the flow.

If your goal is simple—taste Tenerife wines properly, get a guided explanation, and enjoy the view while you do it—this one is a strong bet.

FAQ

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

The experience is estimated at about 90 minutes, with the tasting and winery visit taking place within that time window.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a professional guide, wine tasting, food tasting, snacks, and alcoholic beverages as specified for the tasting.

How many wines and cheeses will I taste?

You’ll taste four home-produced wines, and each one is paired with a Canarian cheese (fresh goat cheese, smoked goat cheese, semi-cured peppery goat cheese, and cured goat and sheep milk cheese).

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

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

Is there an English option?

Yes, the tour is offered in English. On Saturdays and Sundays, English tours run at 11am and 5pm.

If I book the 4pm slot on a weekend, what order is it in?

For Saturday and Sunday English tours, if you book the 4pm time, the tasting happens first, and then the tour follows at 5pm.

Do you offer a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it at the time of booking.

Do I need to be a certain age to join?

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 less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.