I’m a big fan of Lanzarote. Since discovering it for the first time over 12 years ago, I’ve just returned from my 9th visit to the island with my husband Barry. We love Lanzarote so much there that we even celebrated our honeymoon there.
I’ve previously written about my love of the island here where there’s a picture of me as Penelope Cruz on Famara Beach in a shot from the Pedro Almodovar film set on the island, Broken Embraces. I’m sure you’ll agree that the resemblance between me and Penelope Cruz is quite startling (I’m the one on the left).
In Lanzarote, we like to stay in Playa Blanca where we’ve enjoyed a drink or two at Roscoe’s Beer Bar. This is where we discovered Nao beer, produced on the island. When we found out that Lanzarote Wine Tours ran tours of Nao brewery and the Bodega El Grifo, we signed up for one of their tours.
We joined the tour in Arrecife on a breezy Friday afternoon. The minibus collected us from outside the island’s only high-rise building, the Gran Hotel And if you’ve never been inside the Gran Hotel before, then you really should go in. Take the lift straight to the top and enjoy tapas and a drink in the Blue 17 bar with stunning views of city and beach.
Our driver and host for our tour was Dan, who it turned out was from our neck of the woods in the UK. We were first to be collected and then Dan drove on to collect the other six passengers. Once everyone was aboard, Dan was chatting happily to us all, making us feel welcome, as he drove to Bodega El Grifo vineyard. The drive there meant we saw parts of the island we’ve never seen before. On the way to Bodega El Grifo, Dan told us about island life and about the vineyards, wines and beers. He was knowledgeable and approachable, willing to answer our questions and he made us feel right at home.
When we reached Bodega El Grifo, one of Spain’s oldest vineyards, Dan explained that the landscaping at the entrance was created by artist César Manrique, who also designed the bodega’s griffin symbol. Dan took us first for a walk through the vineyards. Take note of the tour guidance to wear closed shoes because if you wear sandals you’ve going to get lava under your feet… and that is going to hurt. Also, as the vineyard is high in the mountains, it might be chilly (it was when we were there) and you might need a hoodie to wear. After our walk to see the vines, we then entered an historic, wall-panelled room in the bodega. It really felt as if we were somewhere special indeed. Inside, we had a guided tasting of three different wines accompanied by local cheese. Because there was only eight of us on the tour, we soon started chatting to one other as we tasted the wines and it was a relaxed and friendly event.
Bodega El Grifo
After a chance to visit the Bodega shop, which sold a specially themed César Manrique wine, we headed back to the mini van and Dan drove us to Arrecife. We arrived at Cerveza Nao, a small brewery by the harbour that’s housed in an historic building. Dan explained what this building used to be, and for me, it really added to the joy of the brewery tour, although I won’t spoil the surprise for you. Inside the small brewery, Dan gave us details of the brewing process and as in the brewery, answered our many questions. And then we finished up with tasting three fantastic, different Nao beers while being offered more snacks.
Craft Beers from Cerveza Nao
It was then back to the mini-bus and as the sun was setting over the sea, Dan dropped everyone back at their pick-up points and waved goodbye to us all. I can’t recommend this tour enough. Because as well as the wine, beer and cheese, you get to see parts of Lanzarote that you might not otherwise see. You experience a real slice of island life. We already plan to take another tapas and wine tour with Lanzarote Tours the next time we’re on the island. It was a fantastic afternoon and I want to do it all over again.
