In another post, we told you the history of Canary Wine and why it is so special. Today, we want to tell you everything you need to know about the best wine routes in Gran Canaria. At Villa Gran Canaria we want to provide you the best information about the best things to do in the island so you can enjoy your holidays here!
If you are interested in the world of wine, you should know that the best way to know a bit more about the wine culture of Gran Canaria is through a wine route. You will undertake a journey through the best wineries of Gran Canaria — most has its own Museum — and you will have the chance to taste and buy the different Canary wines, as well as the rest of their products.
One of the most peculiar characteristics of Gran Canaria is the diversity of microclimates that can be found in the island. Canary grapes of the same kind grow in a very limited geographic area due to this diversity of microclimates. These grapes present a wide range of oenological features.
Another distinctive feature of Canary local wines is the fact that the vast majority of the strains were introduced in the island before the vineyards of the whole Europe were devastated by the horrible grape phylloxera, but that’s another story. Let’s see our ranking of the best wine routes!
Top 5 wine routes to discover in Gran Canaria
We have made a selection of the best wine routes in Gran Canaria, from the south to the north. Now, let’s discover the wineries, vineyards and wine tours that we have chosen as our favourites and in the island.
Bodegas Las Tirajanas
Las Tirajanas winery is located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, at the south of Gran Canaria. Bodegas Las Tirajanas makes wines from grapes provided by growers from all over the island and its many different microclimates.
This winery is open every day — from Monday to Sunday, except during the holiday period. It offers two different wine routes that allow you to visit its facilities and taste its eight wines made from the blanca, malvasía, verijadiego, albillo, verdello, listán and moscatel grape varieties. These eight wines represent completely Gran Canaria.
A guided wine tour through Las Tirajanas winery will teach you everything you need to know about Gran Canaria winemaking. Apart from that, you will have the chance to enjoy its guided wine tastings and try the delicious flavour of its main vintages. You can also spend an hour trying three different wines paired with local gourmet products such as olive oil, traditional cheese, olives marinated in mojo and bread.
This wine route takes approximately an hour long and it is compulsory to make a prior reservation. Groups of 55 people are the maximum allowed. Furthermore, the price of the entrance is quite cheap! If you are a wine lover, we strongly recommend you to visit this Gran Canaria winery!
Bodegas Los Berrazales
Bodegas Los Berrazales is located at the foot of the Tamadaba cliffs in the foothills of the Agaete Valley, in northwest Gran Canaria. Los Berrazales winery produces its wines on La Laja farm, better known for its orange and coffee plantations.
At this winery, the Lugo-Jorge family runs a winery based on the traditional cultivation of the local listan negro grape. They make red, rosé and white wines both dry and semi sec. So we could say that Los Berrazales create boutique wines amongst Canarian oranges and coffee.
Bodega Los Berrazales wine route offers educational tours of the winery all day Monday to Friday. But you can go also during the weekends with prior booking. On its guided tours you will learn everything you need to know about wine production and about orange and coffee cultivation on La Laja farm. You can also buy the typical wines of the house in elegant bottles with labels designed by the eminent Gran Canaria artist Pepe Dámaso.
This wine route duration is approximately an hour and a half. Each tour has a capacity of 300 people, it is the maximum allowed. Furthermore, the price of the entrance is quite cheap too, and it includes three glasses of wine, cheese, chorizo, bread, queque, fruit and water! So, if you are a wine lover, visiting this Gran Canaria winery is a must!
Bodegas Los Lirios
Now we are moving to the capital city of Gran Canaria. Bodegas Los Lirios is located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at the north west of the island. Los Lirios winery combines the traditional architecture of an historic building together with the equipment and the elaboration of a modern winemaking.
From here come some reds with the identity of Mount Lentiscal, but also new proposals with the seal that print the volcanic ash from the skirts of the Bandama peak. The duration of this wine route is about two hours and it includes a glass of wine, an eyesenque, and the tour through the winery and the vineyards. Come and try some of the best wines of the country!
Bodegas Tunte – Vinos Oro Blanco, Berode y Varala
Bodegas Tunte was first opened in 1998, and it is the first winery of Gran Canaria that incorporates the second best winemaker of Spain, the famous enologist Alberto González Plasencia. His career began when he was just 19 years old.
“His curiosity, creativity and his passionate and dedicated personality carried him to the top wine scene in Spain, being the first Spanish winemaker to receive two gold medals of excellence for its wonderful sweet wines. Also he has been awarded as the 2nd best oenologist of our country and the 10th worldwide.” (Cita)
According Alberto Gonzalez, Bodegas Tunte in Gran Canaria transmits a lot of energy, personality, love for detail and lots of love for wine. This winery is faithful to its philosophy — that is the reason why it trusts experts as Alberto, who undoubtedly contributes to the improvement and consolidation of the quality Canary wines.
This wine route offers a tour through Tunte winery and vineyards, a wine tasting of one of the best red wines, and a sampling of some typical Canarian food to accompany your glass of wine. Give a try to a fantastic wine tasting day!
Bodegas Bentayga – Vinos Agala
Bodegas Bentayga is located in the surroundings of the Nublo Rural Park. At an altitude of more than 1000 metres, the wines are aged in a natural stone cave, where the wine is stored in natural conditions that are optimal for temperature and humidity. The results are the exclusive and unique red and white wines.
Bentayga Winery offers guided tours during the whole year, except during the grape picking time (the second fortnight of August and September). This is logically due to they are very busy with the production of the wine.
This wine route includes a tour through the vineyard closest to the winery, which is one of the highest, and the chance to see the facilities and a tasting of two wine varieties. You have to visit this place!
We hope that you have enjoyed this post about our selection of the best wine routes in Gran Canaria. You know that if you have any doubt about the wine routes or if you are looking for accommodation, you can contact us anytime!
