Enoturism: Gran Canaria Through Its Wine

There are many ways to experience a destination, but few allow you to truly feel it. Touring Gran Canaria through its wine offers a unique sensory experience that introduces visitors directly to the natural heart of the island. This wine route is a must for those who desire a more intimate connection with Gran Canaria.

Spanish wines are renowned worldwide, and they are widely available. Distinguished by their quality, variety, and naturalness, they can be experienced firsthand by touring the various wine-producing regions of the country. However, a unique and exotic option has recently emerged: the Gran Canaria Wine Route.

Covering unique terrains and landscapes, this tour allows visitors to sample wines that cannot be found anywhere else. Vines are cultivated in plains, mountains, and ravines, in protected areas, and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. But that’s not all. This special vacation option gives visitors the opportunity to directly experience the diverse nature of the island and the traditions of its people through island wines. It is a can’t-miss option for those seeking a one-of-a-kind experience.

Each winery and vineyard on Gran Canaria has a personal history, and the family owners (often reaching back several generations) harvest and serve the wine. This allows visitors to get a tase of the local culture and take a journey through time with stories coming from first-hand accounts.

Álvaro J. González Santana, manager of the Gran Canaria Wine Route, confirms that there are currently twelve certified wineries on the tour, with an additional five under consideration. The wineries take advantage of vineyards located from 80 to 1,500 meters above sea level, resulting in a diverse range of grapes and flavors. Additionally, all of the wineries on Gran Canaria follow the same cultivation and crafting processes that have been used for 500 years. These processes involve minimal intervention, which helps to maintain the naturalness and quality of the wines.

Due to its small size, Gran Canaria has limited export capacity. As a result, visitors have the privilege of enjoying Gran Canarian wine on the land on which it is crafted. Additionally, the island produces at least twelve varieties of reds, rosés, and whites, all of which have their quality certified by the Gran Canaria Protected Designation of Origin (Denominación de Origen).

Red wines from Gran Canaria are known for their aromas of red fruit, lavender, violet, and spices, such as aniseed. Varieties that exhibit these characteristics include Listán Negro, Negramoll, Tintilla, and Malvasía Rosada. In contrast, Gran Canarian white wines have notes of flowers, white fruit, citrus, and tropical fruit, as well as a touch of aniseed, giving them a fresh and light character. These wines are typically enjoyed young and have somewhat intense aromas. The white grape varieties used in Gran Canarian wines include Malvasía Volcánica, Listán Blanco, Gual, Vijariego, and Moscatel de Alejandría.

To experience the best of these wines, travelers can select a daily set of wineries to visit based on the area of the island in which they are located (north, center, or south). Private vehicles or tour operators, some of which have wine experts on staff, can be used for transportation.

Some wineries also offer accommodations in restored estates that have been transformed into hotels where guests can wake up next to the vineyards and enjoy delicious local dishes paired with the best local wines.

The Gran Canaria wine route offers a complete vacation experience, showcasing the incredible landscapes and friendly culture of the region, and allowing visitors to enjoy unique gastronomy and wine in a one-of-a-kind location.