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It takes a few of my oenophile clients by surprise, but Lanzarote is a superb destination for wine connoisseurs thanks to its fertile volcanic terrain and rich history of viticulture. In fact, even Shakespeare praised the virtues of the wine from this region after he was gifted barrels as payment for his work! The heritage and splendid wine tasting opportunities are why I like to recommend holidays to Lanzarote for any wine lover, and we have a great collection of luxury properties to complement the authentic experience. History Although Lanzarote produces some of the finest wines in the region, it was a late-comer to production in the Canary Islands. Its neighbours Tenerife and Gran Canaria rose to fame for their rich vintages as early as the mid 1600’s but Lanzarote did not follow suit for another century. Ironically, it was due to a seven-year period of volcanic eruptions in the 1730’s that Lanzarote was forced to turn to viticulture. These eruptions decimated the wheat, barley and corn that the inhabitants lived on, as well as covered a quarter of the island in sand and lava. The clement temperatures and water resistant terrain created the perfect conditions for vines to grow – the locals would protect these from the winds by burying them deep in the volcanic soil and packing them in with a wall of bricks. La Geria Valley For those with an interest in the origins of Lanzarote’s exports, I urge you to visit La Geria Valley. As the main site of wine production on the island, it boasts more than 10,000 vines buried into the volcanic ash and soil that surrounded by a low fort of bricks for protection. It is an amazing sight to behold and where the island’s most famous reds, whites and rosés are made. Tastings The history of the island’s wine production is fascinating and serves to enhance the wine tasting opportunities that are undoubtedly the main reason to come. El Grifo - The island’s oldest vineyard (est. 1775), it is also one of the more forward-thinking as they have moved away from traditional cultivation methods to more efficient modern techniques. Despite this, it retains a classic charm through the passion of the fifth-generation owners and the fascinating museum within an old cellar - here you can get a guided tour around the nineteenth-century production equipment. Bodega Hopping - I highly recommend a day-long Bodega Hopping excursion to those interested in our holidays to Lanzarote. It is a great way to get an overview of the entire wine region. You will learn a tremendous amount from the experienced guides, but also get to sample a tantalising selection from the top wineries on the island. Throw in a delicious Canarian lunch and this is a lovely and very indulgent day! Properties We have a handful of luxury properties to retire to after a tough day of wine tasting in the sun. There are a couple in the picturesque town of Yaiza, which is nestled in the foothills of Timanfaya National Park and conveniently located near La Geria. La Casona de Yaiza and Casa de Hilario both offers superb views of the lava flow and salt lakes, plus you are just a short drive from the beach. If our wine-themed holidays to Lanzarote sound like your type of vacation, contact the friendly sales advisors today and they will be happy to help plan your trip and select your luxury property. John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing luxury holidays to Lanzarote, Sicily, Bermuda, Croatia and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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