Lanzarote: El Grifo Wine Cellar Tour with Tasting

Lanzarote’s wine country looks unlike almost anywhere else in Spain. At El Grifo, you walk among century-old volcanic vines, visit the Canary Islands’ oldest winery, and finish with three wines explained by your guide. The unusual growing methods are the real hook here.

I like the mix of old and new, from the cellar founded in 1775 to the modern wine-making space. I also like that the tasting is tied to the vineyard, so you learn why these wines taste the way they do instead of simply being handed a glass.

The main consideration is time. The full visit lasts 90 minutes, and you may wish for more time among the vines. The tasting receives the strongest praise, while the vineyard walk is a shorter part of the experience.

Key points to know before you book

• Volcanic vines with a long story: See century-old vineyards and learn about Lanzarote’s original viticulture.
• A winery founded in 1775: The original cellar gives the visit a strong sense of place and age.
• Three wines included: Your guide explains and serves three of El Grifo’s most awarded wines.
• A guide-led experience: Tours are offered in English and Spanish, with Jacky praised for her energy and passion.
• A relaxed 90-minute visit: The pace suits a short stop, though serious wine fans may want more vineyard time.
• Good flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

Why El Grifo’s volcanic vineyards matter

The first thing to understand is that this is not a standard vineyard tour. Lanzarote’s vines grow in volcanic ground, and the visit focuses on how local wine-making developed around those conditions.

You walk through the century-old vineyards while the guide explains the island’s original methods of viticulture. That context matters. Instead of treating the vines as pretty scenery, the tour connects the plants to Lanzarote’s farming traditions and the character of the finished wines.

The supplied details do not specify the exact layout of the walk or how far you go, so I would think of it as an introduction rather than a long country ramble. You should wear comfortable shoes, especially if the route takes you over uneven vineyard ground.

The vineyard portion is likely most valuable to anyone who wants to understand the wine before tasting it. If you already know Lanzarote’s wine styles, this section may feel brief. One practical point is clear: the tasting takes more attention than the walk, so book this for the full story and the wines, not for a long hike.

The 1775 cellar and El Grifo’s place in island wine

El Grifo’s original wine cellar was founded in 1775. That date gives the visit a useful anchor, because you are not simply seeing a modern business with a historical corner added later. The old cellar is part of the winery’s identity.

The tour also presents El Grifo as the oldest winery in the Canary Islands. That makes the original cellar the key historical stop. Your guide explains how the winery’s older traditions connect with its present-day approach, giving you a clearer sense of how Lanzarote’s wine culture has developed over time.

I like this part because it adds meaning to the tasting. A glass of wine feels different when you have first seen the place where the story began. The visit is still short, though, so do not expect a long museum-style examination of every object or stage of production. The emphasis is on explanation, movement through the site, and tasting.

The age of the cellar also makes this a useful choice for people who want local history without committing to a full-day cultural tour. In 90 minutes, you get a focused look at one of the island’s best-known wine institutions.

Seeing the modern cellar beside the old one

El Grifo does not present only its older side. The route also includes the modern wine cellar, giving you a clear contrast between the winery’s long past and its current production.

That old-and-new pairing is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The original cellar tells you where El Grifo came from, while the modern space helps explain how the winery produces wine today. The guide’s job is to connect those two places and explain the ideas behind El Grifo’s wine-making methods.

You should expect a guided walk rather than a technical production class. The information supplied for the experience focuses on the key to El Grifo’s wine-making and the secrets behind its volcanic vines. That makes the tour accessible if you are new to wine, while still giving experienced wine drinkers useful local context.

I would pay attention to this part if you are comparing several winery visits in Lanzarote. Some tours focus almost entirely on scenery or tasting. Here, you get a clearer look at the winery itself, including both the historic cellar and the modern operation.

The tasting of three award-winning wines

The tasting is the payoff, and it is built into the 90-minute visit rather than treated as an optional extra. You sample three of El Grifo’s most awarded wines while your guide explains what you are drinking.

That format works well. Three wines are enough to show differences without turning the visit into a long drinking session. The guide’s explanations also give the tasting structure, so you can consider the wines alongside the vineyard and cellar information you have just received.

One especially useful detail comes from the experience feedback: Syrah is included among the wines tasted, which pleased a visitor who specifically wanted a red wine option. The full three-wine selection can vary, and no fixed list is provided, so I would not book expecting a particular bottle. Still, the mention of Syrah suggests the tasting is not limited to one narrow style.

The wines are described as volcanic, and the guide explains their connection to Lanzarote’s vines. That is more useful than a tasting built around vague tasting notes. You get a better chance to understand how place and method affect the wine.

The tasting has received the strongest praise for flavor and presentation. Jacky, one of the guides, was singled out for her energy, clear explanations, and passion. Her ability to guide the tasting in German as well as English was also appreciated by one couple, although the official tour languages are English and Spanish. If you need another language, confirm it before booking rather than assuming it will be available.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

A 90-minute winery visit is short enough to fit into a busy Lanzarote day. It gives you time for the vineyard walk, the historic cellar, the modern cellar, and the tasting without demanding half a day.

The pace should suit you if you want a focused introduction to local wine. You will not need to plan a full afternoon around it, and the experience has enough variety to avoid feeling like a tasting room stop only.

The tradeoff is that each section has limited time. The vineyard walk may leave you wanting a longer look, especially if you enjoy photography or want to study the vines. The experience is best approached as a guided overview with a tasting, not as an unhurried agricultural visit.

I would also allow a little mental space after the tour. Even though the tasting includes only three wines, the guide’s explanations are an important part of the visit. Rushing in and out would miss much of the value.

How much value you get for $28

At $28 per person, the price is reasonable for a guided winery experience that includes three wines and access to several parts of El Grifo. You are paying for more than the glasses themselves. The fee also covers the guide’s explanation, the vineyard walk, the historic 1775 cellar, and the modern wine cellar.

The value is strongest if you care about context. A simple tasting may cost less elsewhere, but it would not necessarily explain Lanzarote’s wine culture or take you through a winery with such an old foundation.

The price is less compelling if you want a long vineyard excursion or a broad tasting of many wines. Three wines and 90 minutes make this a compact introduction. That is not a flaw, but it is important to match the experience to your expectations.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is useful when your Lanzarote plans are still shifting. You can hold a place without paying immediately, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Check the available starting times before booking, since the tour does not list one fixed daily departure in the supplied information.

Who will enjoy this El Grifo visit most

I would recommend this experience to several kinds of people:

• Wine beginners who want an easy explanation of how Lanzarote’s volcanic vineyards work.
• Couples looking for a relaxed activity with history, scenery, and a tasting.
• Food and drink fans who want to compare three wines rather than order a single glass.
• Short-stay visitors who need a 90-minute cultural stop.
• History-minded visitors interested in the 1775 cellar and the Canary Islands’ oldest winery.
• English- and Spanish-speaking visitors who want a live guide rather than a self-guided visit.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long walk through the countryside. The vineyard section is part of the route, but the entire experience also includes the cellars and tasting. If you want a detailed technical course in wine production, this may also feel too brief.

Practical details that affect your visit

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Spanish. Jacky has been praised for her lively manner, strong explanations, and genuine interest in the subject. Her presence may not be guaranteed on every departure, so treat her as an example of the guide quality rather than a promise that she will lead your tour.

Wear comfortable shoes. That is the only specific clothing advice provided, but it makes sense for a vineyard and cellar route.

Pets are not allowed. Keep that in mind if you are planning a winery visit around other island activities.

The experience lasts 1.5 hours, and you need to check availability for the exact starting time. The tour does not include a stated transport service, so the supplied details do not confirm transfers to or from your accommodation. Plan your own arrival unless the booking information gives you more specific instructions.

The activity has a rating of 4.8 from 59 reviews, which points to a consistently strong experience. The most praised elements are the relaxed pace, the guide’s explanations, the setting, and the wines. The one useful caution is that the vineyard walk may feel too short if that is your main interest.

Is the El Grifo wine tour worth booking?

Yes, if you want a compact and well-rounded introduction to Lanzarote wine. The combination of century-old volcanic vines, a cellar founded in 1775, a modern wine-making space, and three included wines gives the $28 price solid value.

Book it if you enjoy learning the story behind what you drink, especially if you appreciate historic places and local food culture. I would choose it over a basic tasting because the guide gives the wines a setting and a reason.

Think twice only if you want a long vineyard walk, a large number of wines, or an extensive production tour. For everyone else, this is a sensible 90-minute stop, with the tasting and the old cellar likely to be the highlights.

FAQ

How long does the El Grifo wine cellar tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes.

How many wines are included?

The experience includes a tasting of three El Grifo wines.

What parts of the winery will I see?

You will walk through the century-old vineyards, visit the modern wine cellar, and see the original wine cellar founded in 1775.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $28 per person.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

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

Are pets allowed, and what should I bring?

Pets are not allowed. You should bring comfortable shoes.