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The formation & evolution of La Geria Landscape
Lanzarote, the closest Canary Island to Africa, lies just 100 km from the coasts of Morocco. It emerged from the ocean 11 million years ago, and continues to evolve through volcanic eruptions and erosion, which shape its unique landscape.
La Geria, located in the municipality of Yaiza, is shaped by the volcanic eruptions of 1730-1736. These eruptions blanketed the region with up to two meters of basalt, initially rendering what was once fertile land seemingly useless. The ash helped retain moisture, making the land fertile once again and ideal for grape cultivation.
Grapevines are grown in large pits (hoyos) that are dug into the volcanic soil, sometimes up to three meters, through layers of picon until they reach fertile soil. To protect the crops from Lanzarote’s strong trade winds, crescent-shaped stone walls, known as zocos, are built around each pit.
The result is a striking landscape of thousands of vines, each nestled in its own hollow, spread across the valley floor and slopes. The contrast between the lush green plants and the black volcanic ash creates a visually stunning wine-growing region, which has become iconic in Lanzarote.
César Manrique, a renowned artist, played a pivotal role in showcasing this region’s beauty. His 1964 exhibition at the New York Museum of Modern Art, brought international recognition to Lanzarote’s La Geria wine region. The area is now recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its innovative agricultural methods and striking volcanic scenery.
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What makes La Geria vineyards so special?
Did you know that La Geria is the only place where you can experience 100% pure European wine varieties?
Phylloxera, a devastating pest that ravaged European vineyards in the late 19th century, forced vine growers to graft their native grape varieties onto resistant American rootstocks to save their crops. Lanzarote’s vines, for reasons not entirely understood, were spared from this plague.
As a result, the island’s vineyards consist of unmodified vines, preserving the original European vine varieties with their full enological richness and characteristics, just as they existed before the phylloxera outbreak.
This makes Lanzarote’s wine production particularly unique and valuable in preserving pre-phylloxera vine traditions.
The Wine Varieties of Lanzarote
MALVASIA
The Malvasia grape is a cornerstone of Lanzarote’s viticulture, originating from Crete and Madeira, and has evolved into a distinct clone called Malvasia Volcánica. This grape, well-suited to Lanzarote’s sunny, dry climate, produces aromatic, complex wines with floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. Over centuries, it adapted to the island’s harsh conditions, resulting in wines that are elegant, intense, and fresh.
LISTAN NEGRO & BLANCO
Listán Negro is a dark-skinned grape related to the well-known Palomino grape, producing fruity, medium-bodied wines with mineral tones reflecting its volcanic origin. Its tannins are silky and enveloping, offering a unique taste profile with black pepper and smoke notes.
The Listán Blanco (as known as Palomino) is the lighter-skinned counterpart, and produces soft, floral wines with a mineral edge, and is historically associated with Brandy production.
MUSCATEL
Muscatel (Moscatel), especially the Muscat of Alexandria variety, is another prominent grape in Lanzarote, used primarily for sweet wines. These wines are often made by leaving grapes to over-ripen on the vine or dried in the sun, resulting in syrupy, aromatic wines with rich notes of apricot, grapefruit, and candied fruits.
More varieties like Vijariego, Gual and Negramoll continue to be cultivated on Lanzarote, often lost or diminished in mainland Europe due to the phylloxera plague. These grapes thrive in the island’s unique volcanic landscape, adding to Lanzarote’s distinct and varied wine profile.
How to Explore La Geria?
The Lanzarote wine route offers a captivating journey through the unique volcanic landscape of La Geria. The route runs through over 5,000 hectares of volcanic ash fields, home to the island’s unique vine cultivation method. While there are many wineries along this route, it’s best to focus on one or two to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
You can choose to explore the island’s wineries on your own or join an organized tour. If you have your own vehicle or are considering renting a car in Lanzarote, exploring La Geria at your own pace is a fantastic option. You can visit the wineries that catch your interest, enjoying the flexibility to stop wherever you like. However, it’s important to designate a driver who will abstain from drinking and can safely drive your group around.
If everyone wants to enjoy the wine tasting experience, booking one of the organized excursions is a convenient alternative. Many tours include pick-up and drop-off at hotels, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without worrying about transportation.
Moreover, La Geria has very convenient access to the island’s sites as the Timanfaya National Park, which is only a 10-minute drive. If you’re staying in Puerto del Carmen, it’s only a 15-minute drive to La Geria region while Teguise and Arrecife are only 20-minute away.
Ready for a hiking adventure? Join the Vineyards of La Geria tour to combine wine tasting with scenic hiking!
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