Tenerife Gastronomy Tour with Two Winery Visits and 4-Course Lunch

Tenerife’s south is dry and sunlit; the north is greener, cooler and tied to an old wine culture. This full-day outing takes you across the island to explore La Laguna, sample local wine and cheese, and sit down to a long lunch at Bodegas Monje. I like that it pairs a historic town with two very different wine stops, and that transport from selected southern hotels is included.

I also like the chance to taste Tenerife wines alongside local food, rather than treating the island as only a beach destination. The catch is the length of the drive: depending on your pickup point and traffic, this can stretch well beyond eight hours, and the lunch is not always experienced as a formal four-course meal.

At a glance

• La Laguna stop: Free time in the historic center, usually around an hour, though the exact time can vary.
• Casa del Vino: A wine museum and tasting stop, with samples of three wines and cheese.
• Bodegas Monje: Lunch, wine and a cellar visit, with lovely views around the winery.
• A full-day outing: The tour is listed at about eight hours, but southern pickups can make the day longer.
• Pickup has limits: Service is available from selected resorts in the south, and the meeting point may be near rather than at your hotel.
• Good value if you use the transport: At $98.52 per person, the tastings, meal, guide and long-distance transfer are part of the package.

From Tenerife’s dry south to its wine country

The tour starts in the south and heads north to La Laguna and the wine country around El Sauzal. That change in scenery is part of the appeal. You leave the resort strip and travel through a different side of Tenerife, with the north’s more humid, greener character contrasting with the drier south.

The coach ride also has a practical side. Pickups are made across several southern resorts, so the route can take time before you reach the first stop. Some departures have started with early pickups around 7:15 a.m., even though the tour’s general departure is described as about 9 a.m. Your exact pickup time is confirmed by the operator, so check your email and spam folder before the day.

The published duration is approximately eight hours, but do not plan a tight dinner reservation or evening activity around that estimate. Traffic, the order of hotel pickups and drop-offs, and the distance back from the north can push the day toward ten or even twelve hours, particularly if you are staying as far west as Los Gigantes.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, but comfort has been inconsistent. Some accounts describe cramped seating or weak air conditioning, while a vehicle problem has also caused a delay on one trip. That is not a reason to expect trouble, but it is sensible to bring water, wear comfortable clothes and treat the return time as flexible.

La Laguna: colonial streets and free time

The first stop is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife’s former capital and a UNESCO-listed historic city. The tour gives you time to walk around on your own. Depending on the schedule, this may be about an hour, though some departures have had closer to an hour and a half.

This is a welcome change of pace from the bus. La Laguna’s old streets and restored colonial houses make it a pleasant place to stretch your legs, look around and get a feel for the island’s older urban character. Some people use the pause for a coffee or a look inside a church, where entrance may cost extra.

There is a trade-off: this is usually free time, not a guided city walk. If you want a detailed account of the architecture or local history, ask your guide what you can see in the time available, or prepare a little beforehand. If you have already spent time in La Laguna, the stop may feel long, especially when you are eager to reach the wineries.

A useful tip: eat breakfast before boarding. Food is not allowed on the bus, and the early pickup can make the morning feel longer than expected. You may find a chance to buy something in town, but don’t count on it as your only breakfast plan.

Casa del Vino: Tenerife’s wine story in a historic cellar

Next comes Casa del Vino de Tenerife, a wine museum in El Sauzal. The museum is set in an old wine cellar associated with a former estate, and the visit gives you context for the island’s wine trade and its place in Canary Islands history. A short film has been part of the visit, followed by a tasting.

The tasting typically includes three wines and cheese. Some groups have also received dates or other small accompaniments. It is a compact introduction, not an extensive class in grape varieties or winemaking, but it gives you a chance to compare local styles and decide what you like.

This stop is particularly useful if Tenerife wine is new to you. The island’s wines are made in limited quantities, and they are not widely exported, so tasting them here can be a rare chance to try bottles you may not find at home. If a wine catches your attention, ask what it is before moving on. At least one visitor bought a rosé at this stop, so there may be time to purchase wine here.

The tasting should not be confused with a full winery production tour. Casa del Vino is a museum and wine center, and the experience focuses on the island’s wine background and tasting rather than watching a working production line.

Bodegas Monje: a generous meal and cellar visit

The final main stop is Bodegas Monje, where lunch and a winery visit are combined. The setting is a highlight: the restaurant and terraces offer views toward the coast, and the relaxed meal gives you time to sit, eat and talk with the rest of the group.

The tour describes a four-course lunch, but the meal can feel different from person to person and departure to departure. Food has included soup, bread, cheese, dips and slow-cooked pulled pork, with coffee sometimes counted as a course. The meal is often better understood as a substantial, traditional lunch than as a carefully paced fine-dining menu.

Wine is served with lunch, commonly including white and rosé, and some groups have had bottles placed on the table to share. The amount and presentation can vary. If you are keen to know exactly which wine is in your glass, ask your server or guide as it is poured. Some participants have found that the wine was not clearly matched to the meal or discussed in much detail.

After lunch, you visit the cellar with a winery host. This is often one of the most informative parts of the day, with an explanation of the winery and its production spaces. The tour may also introduce wines available to buy, but tasting additional bottles is not necessarily part of the visit. If you want to take wine home, ask about purchase options and shipping directly; the winery may not ship to every destination.

The timing here matters. The group may need to leave soon after the cellar visit to make the long drive south, so there may be little time to browse the shop. If buying a bottle is important to you, mention it early rather than waiting until the last few minutes.

Guides, group size and the overall pace

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 35. The guide can make a large difference to the day. Guides on past trips have included Mia, Olga, Iskra and Christopher, with some departures praised for lively explanations, patience and helpfulness. But the quality of the commentary has not been consistent, and some visitors have found the information sparse or the guide’s approach distracting.

The tour may be conducted in more than one language if the group includes people who speak different languages. That can mean the guide repeats explanations, which is helpful for a mixed group but can make the day feel slower. If learning about Tenerife is a major reason for booking, ask the operator what language arrangements are expected for your departure.

There is a social element, too. You share a coach, tastings and lunch with a mixed-age group, and the meal is a natural chance to talk. That can add warmth to the day, but it also means the pace depends on a group rather than your own schedule.

What $98.52 buys you

At $98.52 per person, the price covers the guide, air-conditioned transport, food tasting, the winery stops and lunch. If you are based in the south, transport is a meaningful part of the value. Reaching the north independently can mean arranging your own car or paying for taxis, while this tour also handles the return journey.

The package is strongest for someone who wants an easy way to see La Laguna and taste Tenerife wine without driving. It is less compelling if you are staying in the north and need to pay for your own transport to join the group. The operator asks people outside the pickup area to get in touch, and a taxi to the tour’s starting point can add substantially to your total cost.

It also helps to set expectations about the meal. The advertised four courses may not arrive as four distinct plated courses, and wine service at Bodegas Monje may be more casual than a guided tasting. If you are seeking a detailed wine education or a formal tasting flight at both wineries, a private visit may suit you better.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if I were staying in southern Tenerife, wanted a day away from the resorts, and liked the idea of combining a historic town, local wine and a long shared meal. It is especially appealing if you value the convenience of transport and are happy to let the day unfold at a group pace.

I would think twice if you are based in the north, have limited time, or want a highly structured wine course with detailed tastings at both stops. The long transfer is a real part of the experience, not a minor footnote, and the Monje visit does not always deliver a formal tasting beyond the wine served with lunch.

For an easy, sociable way to sample Tenerife beyond the beach, the tour can be a good buy. Book it with a flexible schedule, eat breakfast before pickup, and keep your expectations focused on a broad day out rather than an intensive winery seminar.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

It is listed as approximately eight hours. The actual day can be longer because of southern hotel pickups, traffic and the return drive from the north.

What is the price?

The listed price is $98.52 per person.

Where does pickup operate?

Pickup is offered in selected areas of southern Tenerife, including El Médano, Golf del Sur, Costa del Silencio, Los Cristianos, Las Américas, Callao Salvaje, Playa Paraíso, Playa San Juan, Alcalá, Playa de la Arena, Puerto Santiago and Los Gigantes.

Will the coach pick me up at my hotel?

Not necessarily. The pickup point may be near your hotel rather than at its entrance. Contact the operator to arrange pickup and check the confirmed location and time.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English. If the group includes people speaking other languages, the guide may give information in more than one language.

What stops are included?

The route includes free time in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a visit and tasting at Casa del Vino de Tenerife, and lunch and a cellar visit at Bodegas Monje.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator when booking.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 35 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.