El Grifo Winery – Lanzarote, Spain
Between 1730 and 1736, the island of Lanzarote—the northernmost of Spain’s Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean—experienced a series of powerful volcanic eruptions that permanently transformed its landscape. Thick layers of volcanic ash covered the land, creating an environment unlike any other wine region in the world.
Several decades later, toward the end of the 18th century, a respected local priest believed that these seemingly barren volcanic soils could produce exceptional wine grapes. He planted vines on land that had belonged to his family for generations and built the island’s first wine press, establishing what became the first winery in the Canary Islands.
After the priest’s death in 1803, his nephew and niece continued operating the winery. Over the years, ownership changed several times, and since 1880 the estate has been in the hands of the Durán family, who continue to produce distinctive wines from vineyards rooted in Lanzarote’s remarkable volcanic terrain.
Set against the island’s dramatic black landscape, El Grifo Winery stands out with its whitewashed buildings and deep wine cellars. Viticulture on Lanzarote is unique to this part of the world. The seemingly scorched and infertile volcanic soil produces elegant, generous wines with a distinctive Atlantic character—true wines born of lava.
Featured Wine: Listán Negro Grain to Grain
A dry red wine made from the indigenous Listán Negro grape, offering expressive aromas and flavors of red flowers. Medium-bodied, silky and refined, it delivers a gentle, velvety texture. The wine is produced using the carbonic maceration method, in which whole grape clusters ferment in a sealed environment, similar to the technique used in Beaujolais. It is then aged for six months in oak barrels, adding structure and longevity while preserving the freshness of the fruit and its delicate tannins.
Recommended serving temperature: 12–14°C.
What makes it special:
The winery and its vineyards are planted on volcanic soil, giving the wines a distinctive sense of place and a unique mineral character.
Website: https://elgrifo.com/en/
