Wines of Tenerife (Canary Islands) The First Salon of Tenerife Wines was presented in Madrid on 30 March 1998. Tenerife, one of the major islands of the Canary Archipelago, has long been known as a tourist's paradise; but it's also home to no less than 5 fullfledged DO ("Denomination de Origen") wine producing areas: Abona, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de Güimar, Valle de la Orotava, and Ycoden-Daute-Isora. While DO status is a recent phenomenon - the first, Tacoronte-Acentejo, dates from 1992 - wines have been made here for centuries.
Unique local grape varieties, rich volcanic soil, and a mild climate tempered by moisture-laden Atlantic tradewinds, make for distinctive and attractive wines. It may seem strange that there are so many DO regions on one 2,000 sq.km. island, but the differences in local microclimates produced by the island's rugged terrain and its interaction with the tradewinds, make for a wide variety of growing conditions across Tenerife.
The DO Regions of Tenerife Abona (DO since 1996)
Situated toward the south on the eastern side of Tenerife, the region's vineyards lie at elevations from 300 to 1,750 meters -where the best quality grapes are grown.
- Vineyards: 849 hectares
- Grape varieties: White (80%) - Listán Blanco, Verdello, Malvasía, Sabro, Bermejuelo; Red (20%) - Listán Negro, Negramoll
- Wineries: 18
- Grape growers: 1,247
- 2017 Production: 746,468 liters
Tacoronte-Acentejo (DO since 1992)
Situated to the northwest of Tenerife, the region's vineyards lie at elevations from sea level to 1,000 meters.
- Vineyards: 1,014 hectares
- Grape varieties: White - Gual, Malvasía, Listán Blanco, Marmajuelo.
- Red - Listán Negro, Negramoll
- Wineries: 30
- Grape growers: 1,896
- 2017 Production: 950,000 liters
Valle de Güimar (DO since 1996)
Situated on the eastern side of Tenerife, the region's vineyards lie at elevations from sea level to 1,400 meters.
- Vineyards: 157 hectares
- Grape varieties: White - Listán Blanco (82.5%), Malvasía, Güal, Vijariego.
- Red - Listán Negro (13.5%), Negramoll
- Wineries: 13
- Grape growers: 300
- 2017 Production: 222,121 liters
Valle de la Orotava (DO since 1994)Situated on the north coast Tenerife, the region's vineyards are situated at lower altitudes, under the more direct influence of the Atlantic tradewinds.
- Vineyards: 321 hectares
- Grape varieties: White - Bastardo Blanco, Güal, Forastera Blanca, Listán Blanco, Malvasía, Marmajuelo, Moscatel, Pedro Ximénez, Torrontés, Verdello, Vijariego.
- Red - Listán Negro, Negramoll
- Wineries: 16
- Grape growers: 620
- 2017 Production: 634,300 liters
Visit Tenerife
Why not pay the island of Tenerife a visit? While many of the wineries ship wine to the "peninsula" (mainland Spain) and also export around the world, many of the most interesting of the island's delightful young wines are only available "in situ". Remember there's more to Tenerife than just wine: beaches, sports, mountains, forests, and the excellent local cuisine are there for you to enjoy.
{J.Riis, updated May 2020}
