A tour through wine that also teaches you how people live on Lanzarote. El Grifo’s experience pairs a walk among centenary vineyards with a stop in the original cellar dating to 1775, then finishes with a guided tasting of three award-winning wines. It’s a tight 1.5 hours, so you get the main story without feeling stuck in a classroom.

Two things I like about this tour: the mix of old and new (century-old vines plus a modern winecellar) and the fact you taste wines as part of the explanation, not after it’s over. The one drawback to consider is time: some people wish they had a bit more walking time in the vineyard, since the route is pretty focused.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Centenary vineyards with an on-the-ground explanation of how El Grifo ties grape growing to the island
• Original cellar from 1775, which gives you real historical weight early in the visit
• Modern winecellar so you can see how traditional vines meet today’s winemaking
• Three-wine tasting led by your guide, tied to the story of volcanic vines
• Syrah appears on the tasting flight (at least one of the reds), which is a nice change from the usual crowd-pleasers

Why El Grifo’s Cellar Tour Works in 90 Minutes

This is the kind of wine tour that respects your time. You’re looking at a 1.5-hour experience that includes a guided route, cellar visits, and a tasting of three wines. For $28 per person, that’s a pretty direct deal: you’re paying for access plus guidance plus wine, not just a quick walk past barrels.

What makes it feel worth it is the structure. You don’t only get a slideshow, and you don’t only get a tasting either. You get the plants (vineyard), the place (cellars), and the payoff (wine in hand), all in one compact loop.

The other plus is the atmosphere. The overall feedback points to a relaxed pace. You can ask questions without feeling rushed, and you don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy it.

Walking the Centenary Vineyards on Volcanic Ground

The tour starts by walking the century-old vineyards, where your guide explains the original viticulture style used on Lanzarote. The wording may sound technical, but the real value is practical: you’ll learn how the winery thinks about the land and the vines, not just what ends up in the glass.

Here’s what you should expect during the vineyard part:

• A guided route through the vines, with context on how the vineyard approach links to winemaking
• Stories about the “secrets” behind the volcanic vines and the way they shape El Grifo’s wines
• A chance to look closely, not just pass by quickly

I’d bring comfortable shoes and give yourself permission to slow down for photos. The route is short, so if you’re the type who wants long strolls, plan to pair this with extra time on your own after the tour.

Also, if you like learning by seeing things in place, you’ll probably enjoy this section most. Standing among vines changes the way the later cellar explanations land. Even if you know nothing about wine terms, the guide will connect the dots.

Inside the Original 1775 Cellar That Gives the Story Teeth

After the vineyard walk, the tour heads into history with the original wine cellar founded in 1775. This is where the experience gets more than just scenic. The cellar visit anchors the brand’s long timeline, and it helps you understand why El Grifo’s “modern” approach still feels rooted.

Why this stop matters:

• You get a sense of continuity, not just a single-era production process
• It turns the wine culture of Lanzarote into something you can physically picture
• It gives the guide a stage to explain how winemaking ideas evolved while the vines stayed central

Cellars can vary a lot in these tours—some are all photos and labels. Here, the tour format is built to connect the cellar to the winemaking logic. You’re not simply being shown space; you’re being walked through the why.

If you’re curious about how old wineries survived and adapted, this part is the anchor. It’s also a good moment to ask questions, because the guide can explain tradition and innovation side by side.

Modern Winecellar: Where Today’s El Grifo Style Comes Through

You’ll also see El Grifo’s modern winecellar. This is the half of the tour that keeps things feeling current. The point isn’t to replace the past with something flashy; it’s to show how the winery turns century-old conditions into consistently crafted wines today.

The tour’s messaging here focuses on “innovative elaboration,” and you’ll hear the key behind how El Grifo turns what grows on Lanzarote into the final bottles. Even if the science goes a bit beyond your comfort zone, it usually lands as a practical story: the vineyard isn’t an accessory—it’s part of the production method.

In other words, the modern part helps you avoid the common trap of wine tours that feel like history lessons with no connection to flavor. Here, the guide brings the explanation back toward what you’ll taste next.

The Guide’s Role: Learning the Lanzarote Wine Culture Without the Snobbery

This is a live guided tour in English and Spanish, and the guide is part of what people praise most. One name that shows up in feedback is Jacky, described as energetic and passionate, with a clear love for the island’s wine culture and history. Even better: the same feedback notes that having a guide comfortable across languages can make the experience easier if your group includes German speakers.

What I like about this kind of guide-led format is how it avoids the two extremes:

• Not too technical, so you don’t feel lost
• Not too generic, so you don’t feel like you’re hearing the same lines everywhere

You’ll get an explanation of the key to the winery’s winemaking approach, plus the “secrets” behind century-old volcanic vines. That combination is the reason the tour feels educational without being heavy.

If you’re traveling with friends who think wine tours are boring, this is the kind of tour that can change their mind—because the story ties places together and gives you something to taste that matches the explanation.

The Three-Wine Tasting: What You’ll Taste and Why It’s a Good Finish

The tasting is one of the strongest reasons to book. You’ll taste three wines selected from El Grifo’s most awarded wines, guided as part of the tour story. And yes, at least one red in the flight includes Syrah, which stands out if you’re tired of standard tour lineups.

Here’s how to get more out of the tasting:

• Listen first, taste second. The guide’s explanations will often make the flavors easier to describe.
• Compare the wines in the order you’re served. You’ll notice how one wine sets expectations for the next.
• Ask what makes the volcanic setting show up in the final bottle. The tour is built around that connection, so it’s a fair question.

Since the tasting is only three pours, it’s focused rather than overwhelming. It also means you should pay attention—this is your chance to connect vineyard and cellar with the wines.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to leave with a favorite bottle, you likely will. The tasting is designed to show variety while still staying cohesive under the El Grifo umbrella.

Practical Tips: How to Plan Your Day Around This Tour

The basics are simple, but a few details will make your experience smoother:

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a route through vineyard areas and moving through cellar spaces.
• Plan for a 1.5-hour visit. It’s not a half-day project. Fit it into a broader Lanzarote plan without scheduling too tightly before and after.
• Check starting times. The tour duration is listed as 1.5 hours, but start times vary by availability.
• No pets. If you’re traveling with a companion animal, you’ll need an alternative plan.
• English or Spanish guide. Choose the language option that works for your group so you get the full benefit of the explanations.

On pacing: the tour is compact, and the vineyard portion won’t turn into a long wander. If you love walking and want extra vineyard time, consider doing a longer self-guided stroll afterward (if you’re in the area and the grounds allow it).

Value-wise, the $28 price makes more sense when you treat the tasting as part of the package. You’re not just paying to be escorted through buildings—you’re paying for guided interpretation and three wines.

Who Should Book This El Grifo Wine Cellar Tour

This experience is a great fit if you want:

• A guided wine tour with real place-based history (1775 cellar) and real vineyard time
• A tasting that’s tied to explanations, not tacked on
• A short, friendly format if you don’t want a long day stuck underground

It may not be ideal if:

• You want a long, slow vineyard hike. The tour is efficient, and some people wish they had more time walking the vines.
• You’re expecting a deep technical seminar. The focus is on storytelling, culture, and how the winery makes its wines from the island’s conditions.

If you’re new to wine, you’ll probably find it approachable. If you’re already into wine, the combination of vineyard + old cellar + modern cellar + tasting gives you enough detail to feel satisfied without feeling like you need a sommelier vocabulary list.

Should You Book This Tour?

If you’re on Lanzarote and you like your wine experiences grounded in real places, I’d book this. For $28, you get three pours, a guided walk among centenary vineyards, and access to both a modern cellar and the original 1775 cellar. That’s a lot of “wine and why” for a relatively short visit.

It’s especially worth it if you:

• Want to learn Lanzarote wine culture with a live guide
• Care about volcanic vines and how that idea turns into what’s in your glass
• Prefer a relaxed pace over a rushed, factory-style walkthrough

If your top priority is maximum time in the vineyard, then consider booking this as your first stop and planning extra time afterward. The tour’s strength is focus, not length.

FAQ

How long is the El Grifo Wine Cellar Tour with Tasting?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

The experience includes a tasting of three wines.

Where does the tour take place?

It takes place in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Do I need to bring anything?

Wear comfortable shoes.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Is there free cancellation and flexibility when booking?

Yes. The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, plus a reserve now & pay later option.

How do I know what start time I can book?

Check availability to see starting times.

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