Each region is unique for its land and landscape. Gran Canaria is proof of this. In addition to enjoying a good rest, the sun and the climate, tourists have other alternatives within their reach. The wine route in Gran Canaria is a wine tourism experience like few other places.
The winegrower has had to adapt to the climatic conditions and characteristics of the Gran Canarian soil. The cultivated land shows us a landscape with fragmented vineyards, even hidden by diversity. However, this results in a great diversity and variety of extraordinary oenological richness.
What does the Gran Canaria Wine Route consist of?
This tour of some of the island’s most characteristic wineries and most significant restaurants will help you to appreciate the quality of its wines. Accompanied by their own products, such as good homemade bread, artisan cheeses and olives, they help us to get to know the excellence of their gastronomy.
Along this route, with professional guides who know these lands to perfection, the wineries and vineyards spread over more than 186 hectares, whose annual production exceeds 457,730 kilos of grapes.
Wineries on the route
There are some 38 active wineries on the island, however, during the route we can only get to know some of the most important. This list shows you which ones they are and where they are located.
- Señorío de Cabrera Winery. This winery is located in the municipality of Telde, where you can taste white and red wines, accompanied by a rabbit with prawns tapa and a homemade sauce.
- Bentayga Winery. This place is in the village of Tejeda, which, as well as offering us a good wine, offers us incredible views of the Sacred Mountains. The visit includes a walk through the vineyards and a tasting of some of its most prized wines.
- Mondalón Winery. In the neighbourhood of Los Hoyos, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you can taste several glasses of their reference wine in their wine
- Hoyos de Bandama Winery. This is another of the visits on the route, which takes us to the municipality of Santa Brígida to taste quality wine in a rural setting.
- Bodega y Viñedos Rincón del Guiniguada. This is another of the options offered by Santa Brígida. On a guided tour of the vineyards, you can taste white and red wines, accompanied by local bread and cheese.
- Finca Escudero. This is a magical place, located at the exit of Santa Brígida in the direction of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and is distinguished by its unique scenic beauty. The visit lasts two hours and during the tour you can get to know the characteristics of these lands.
- Bodega San Juan. On the road to Bandama is one of the places with the longest historical tradition. During the tour you can visit La Finca El Monacal and the Wine Museum, as well as three unique places.
- Las Tirajanas Winery. In the most touristic municipality of the island, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, you will find this benchmark bodega. Visitors can taste various local wines, olives and cheese.
- Bodega La Montaña. In Vega de San Mateo we have this family winery. The guided tour of the different crops also includes a tasting of their own wine, accompanied by almond cheese and seasoned olives.
- Los Lirios Winery. In this case, this option is ideal to learn about agricultural practices and environmental conditions, as well as to enjoy a good red wine.
Restaurants on the route
On this extensive route, which passes through inland towns, as well as the capital and the tourist town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, there are restaurants offering quality gastronomy and local produce.
Among the most outstanding restaurants are la Cueva de la Tea, El Restaurante Bodegón de Vandama, El Bodegón and the Restaurant of the Rural El Mondalón Hotel, El Grill Mirador Cuevas Bascamao, Picoteo Café El Despacho, Enoteca El Zarcillo, Arte Gaia Restaurante, Texeda Brewery & Restaurant, la Trastienda de Chago, Restaurante Casa del Vino de Gran Canaria and Tasca la Caldera.
The options are diverse and varied depending on the tastes of the consumer. In any of the proposals, the visitor can taste the best wines of this land in a tasting menu full of delicacies. Pork sirloin, grilled kebabs, roast pork, a Canarian menu with wine pairing or baked cheese with tomato jam are just some of the delicacies.
Viticulture in Gran Canaria
The wine route in Gran Canaria is the result of this varietal heritage, conditioned by the island’s orography. In most cases, the work is artisanal and unmechanised, because the conditions require it.
If there is one thing that characterises the round island par excellence, it is its variety and rich landscape. Thus, the diversity of locations and cultivation practices, where tradition combines with innovation, results in a characteristic vineyard.
Some exclusive grape varieties stand out, such as albillo criollo, bermejuela burra volcánica, albillo forastero, listán negro and rosa, malvasía volcánic, vallera or verijadiego, among others. Studies have shown that these crops have a characteristic genome, since phylloxera never reached the Canary Islands.
Wines of Gran Canaria
The wines of Gran Canaria are unique due to their landscape, environmental conditions and grape varieties. The wines are typical of volcanic soils with vineyards located on picón soils, which receive the trade winds. However, in the southwest of the island, hard, arid soils predominate.
Wines, like their gastronomy, festivals and traditions, are a reflection of the identity of a people. For this reason, we can find their own nuances, where fresh and citric flavours, red fruit aromas and aniseed notes prevail.
In conclusion, the wine route in Gran Canaria is very different from that of other regions, above all, due to the volcanic soil and the characteristics of the place. This can be appreciated in the flavour and aroma of its wines, which are mostly handmade.
In case you don’t know where to go, ask for information at the Lopesan Hotel Group and receive the best advice on how to include the Gran Canaria Wine Route in your list of activities. If you need more information, do not hesitate to contact us.
