On this visit to the El Grifo winery, we'll explore one of the oldest wineries in the Canary Islands - discover the wonderous effects that volcanic soil can have on wine!
Description
Welcome to the oldest winery in the Canary Islands and one of the oldest in Spain! El Grifo Winery proudly makes the most of the land, which was once covered by volcanic lava and sand after the eruption between 1730 and 1736 on the island of Lanzarote, transforming it into an estate brimming with vineyards and fruit trees.
The winery's covered wine press dates back to 1775, and since then, the elements, combined with the expertise of the various families who have graced its premises, have given birth to wines with a renowned character and personality.
El Grifo Winery boasts vines from the 19th century that gracefully mature on the slopes and are hand-harvested one grape at a time. What's more, thanks to the rich history of the winery and the families who've overseen its operations, you can explore the museum that recounts the story of wine on the island.
During the booking process, you can choose between two tour options. Both meet at the El Grifo Winery entrance at the indicated time. Once we've all gathered, we'll set off on a journey into the volcanic vineyards that have found global success.
Below you'll find a brief description of each tour option:
Tour + 3 wine tastings (1 hour)
We'll visit the El Grifo Museum, where you’ll be amazed by the indoor wine press dating back to 1775. The museum houses authentic relics, including barrels of Malvasia Volcanica wine from 1881, for an added layer of history.
Next, we'll explore the old winery, one of the oldest in the Canary Islands, where every glass of wine has a story to tell. We’ll uncover how this winery has preserved its traditions for over two centuries, producing quality wines bottle after bottle.
Finally, we'll explore the centuries-old vineyards of Lanzarote, walking among the chabocos, holes in the volcanic sand and protected by stone walls that protect the vines planted in the 19th century from inclement weather.
To wrap up the tour, we’ll walk the same path the grapes take from harvest to wine, to gain a deeper understanding of the process.
Then, the perfect finishing touch to the experience comes when we sit down to a wine tasting. We'll sample 3 different varieties, tasting firsthand the subtle nuances of each blend. Then, after an enriching hour of exploration, we'll bring the experience to an end.
Tour + 6 wine tastings (2 hours)
With this tour option, in addition to the itinerary mentioned above, we'll also visit the old house, the library, and the modern winery. This way, we'll get to experience the contrast between centuries-old traditions and the innovations that have made this winery a leader in Canarian winemaking.
In the family house, each room showcases several generations of owners devoted to the art of winemaking. The library holds over 5,000 volumes detailing the unique aspects of island wine culture. In the modern winery, we’ll witness how innovation and technology come together to meet the evolving demands of wine production
Lastly, in the vineyard, we'll enjoy an exclusive tasting of 6 wines, perfectly paired with 3 traditional Canarian cheeses and sweets. After this tasting, we’ll say our goodbyes, wrapping up our 2-hour tour.
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