Mallorca has become famous in recent years for it's grape growing and wine production. Some of the oldest wineries date back to 1700s with the likes of Can Ribas, a winery still family run to this day located in Consell. You'll find many wineries growing varieties of grapes and following traditional methods of harvesting and production. Many wineries across the island are open for tours and tastings and even if you don't know a lot about wine, it can be a fun insight into Mallorcan culture and the industry.
Mallorca is divided into different wine regions, Binissalem (includes places like Consell), Serra Tramuntana & Nord (eg. Pollença), and Pla & Llevant in the East. As you drive past these areas many have signposts to welcome you to the wine growing region. The wines produced in Mallorca that go through the entire process on the island can be granted a Denominacio d'Origen to certify that the finished product is infact from where the bottle says.
Most of the island is suitable for grape growing but the regions mentioned above are the most famous. A range of varieties are grown and white grapes such as Prensal blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin and tiny grained Muscatel. From the red side, Mantonegro, Gargollassa, Callet, Garnacha, Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot are the most frequently grown.
Although most of Mallorca's wine production stays on the island or in Spain, the odd few make it across the Atlantic to the US and other countries. This linked article is about Mallorcan wine making it to Maine and how wine critics are taken aback by it's flavours.
As with most things, Mallorca takes things seriously by hosting a huge festival in places like Binissalem when it's harvest time. The Festa des Vermar is hosted in the town and includes a fire run, grape crushing competitions and wine wasting. The festival is usually around mid September.
In Pollença an annual wine tasting fair is held in the Cloisters of Sant Domingo around April. It's a fantastic event where you can sample many of the islands wines all in one place and in a spectacular setting.
Main image courtesy of Bodega Ribas
Fira del Vi image from our Instagram