The wine route
From the 16th to the 19th century, Tenerife was a major exporter of wine, especially to England, where its wines were and still are very popular. Their appeal was so great that well-known authors including Shakespeare made mention of them in their work.
The town of Tegueste has the unique distinction of being surrounded by the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, as if it were guarded like a treasure. History has it that in this land of vineyards, it was the Augustinian and Franciscan monks who settled in the town that encouraged the cultivation of grapevines in order to provide for their needs during the Eucharist. Over the centuries, Tegueste has forged its own identity, producing smooth and delicate reds for drinking all year round, as well as fresh, aromatic and complex whites. You mustn't miss the Farmers' and Craft Market in the town of Tegueste, a sample of the area's new farming culture where you will be able to deal directly with the producers themselves and purchase some of their acclaimed wines and beautiful handmade goods.
After leaving Tegueste, the route heads towards Valle Guerra on the TF-16. This town in the area of La Laguna is home to the Casa de Carta, the Island's anthropology museum. Throughout this area you'll find a number of wineries and "guachinche" taverns where you can sample the "country wine", made by local farmers using traditional methods.
Tacoronte is just a few minutes' drive away. This town encompasses much of the area's commercial activity and can be said to be practically surrounded by vineyards. The wine tradition is so deeply rooted here that the area boasts one of Tenerife's five Designations of Origin. Tacoronte-Acentejo.The wines that are made here have delighted even the most demanding of palates, earning them a string of awards wherever they go. We recommend you take any of their bottles home with you. And don't leave until you have visited Tacoronte's Plaza del Cristo square and the rest of its historical sites.
El Sauzal is a beautiful town that stands atop a majestic cliff and is home to the Island's Vine and Wine Museum-House (Casa Museo Insular de la Vid y el Vino). This museum, entirely devoted to wine, guards some of the most prestigious bottles. A highly recommendable visit for wine-lovers. You will discover the area's lively and aromatic whites, and mature, highly-reputed reds.
The Honey House (Casa de la Miel) can also be visited in El Sauzal. There, you will learn all about the process of extracting and producing the Island's beautiful honeys. Tenerife's wealth of plantlife has enabled it to create unique honeys with rich flavours that you will not find anywhere else in the world. After a fine glass of wine and a spoonful of honey, we recommend a walk around the town. After all, it is one of the most scenic towns on the Island.
You will find the towns of La Matanza and La Victoria not far from here, in the Acentejo region. Their names, meaning "the slaughter" and "the victory", evoke the battles fought between the local Guanche people and the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century. Continuing on the same road, you will come to Santa Úrsula, a municipality with deep-rooted customs, a tasty cuisine and some distinguished wines for you to enjoy in its various wineries and restaurants.
