History
In 1497, Portugal's Fernando de Castro planted the first grapevine on Tenerife soil, attracted by the fertility of its volcanic land. Little did he…
Wines
Reds, whites, rosés... Take your pick and indulge in a glass of good wine in Tenerife's unique surroundings.
The Island's climate and geology confer it with singular qualities to produce a rich and exquisite variety of wines.
Tenerife's wine is the best choice to go with your main meal and dessert, or with a simple Canarian cheese board. Whites, rosés, reds or malvasias – they all embody the Island's unique climate and geology in their flavour. About a hundred wineries in Tenerife enable you to enjoy a glass of fine wine in a privileged setting, either on their own premises or at the restaurants where their products are served.
For centuries, grapes have been one of the Island's main crops. Grape vines reached Tenerife with the first European visitors in the 15th century, and have since become an essential part of its agriculture. Here, wine-makers have implemented a range of modern and environmentally friendly techniques, while at the same time keeping traditional methods alive, especially in terms of grape harvesting which is done with great care. These processes give rise to wines with special bouquets and flavours that are ideally served with Tenerife's cuisine. The wines produced are full of character owing to Tenerife's somewhat wild volcanic and Atlantic nature.
The Island has five different wine-making regions: Tacoronte-Acentejo, Ycoden-Daute-Isora, the Valley of La Orotava, the Valley of Güímar and Abona. The rich volcanic soil in these regions where the vines are planted confers them with special character and distinct nuances.
Special mention should be made of the wine made with the Malvasia grape. In the 16th and 17th century, the demand for these wines came constantly from Europe, and it was regularly served in the royal abodes on the Old Continent. Even William Shakespeare and Walter Scott speak of them in their work.
Ever since the first designation of origin was awarded to Tenerife's wines in 1985, the unique quality and character of these wines harvested from volcanic soils have earned it four more such recognitions. The quality of the wines produced on the Island, in its many wineries dotted all across the land, is guaranteed by international protection seals known as Designations of Origin. The label is borne by the finest wines from the regions of Abona, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de Güímar, Valle de La Orotava and Ycoden-Daute-Isora. The crops in these regions benefit from the richness of Tenerife's volcanic soils, its Atlantic climate and the great care and professional effort of those who make them.