Canary Islands
Sited far away and off the coast of Africa, the Canaries are nevertheless part of Spain and part of Spanish history. The Canaries were an important port on the long voyage to America, and it was from here that Columbus took sugarcane to transplant into the Americas to create rum.
Spain’s highest mountain, Mt. Teide, is on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. Most of the island’s vineyards are grown on the fertile, volcanic soils of Teide itself. Each vine is planted in its own individual crater to protect it from the strong winds. This is then surrounded by rocks to prevent the sand blowing in. The result is one of the most unique vineyard landscapes in the world. Much of the harvesting is done using camels.
Denominations of origin:
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Ycoden Daute Isora
Ycoden Daute Isora
Denominacion de Origen
This western tip of Tenerife island was defined as a DO in 1994, revitalising an incredibly old and traditional wine-making area of steeply terraced small vineyards. In recognition of that, it takes its name from early Guanche kingdoms and dominions.
Today it is an area of small but vigorous wineries with new ideas, and it is known especially for its excellent white wines. But this area also produces quality barrel-matured red wines from the native Listan Negro, Tintilla and Vijariego Negro grape varieties. Wines were traditionally fermented in chestnut barrels, but stainless-steel barrels are now used almost everywhere.
Viñátigo winery is a beautiful modern architecturally designed building that is dug into the hillside, blending in with the surrounding landscape. Light enters naturally through a dome above, and the wine is moved through the winery using gravity, so no pumping is needed. Viñátigo specialises in producing single varietal wines made from the indigenous varieties of the island.
If you would like to see all the wines available, please visit our Wine Store.