Three wineries in Fuencaliente to sample some of the best wines in La Palma
Fancy tasting the unique wines of La Palma? On this island, the vineyards grow in a very peculiar landscape that boasts considerable wine production, especially in areas like Fuencaliente, a wine-growing municipality where wine lovers can enjoy some of the best wineries in the Canary Islands. We’ll tell you which ones they are!
A brief review of La Palma’s wine history
The wines of La Palma “are born from volcanic lava”. The many volcanic eruptions that have taken place on the island have generated, in certain areas of the island, badlands, which is where most of the vineyards are located.
The first vines arrived in the 16th century with the colonisers, and wine growing soon replaced the cultivation of sugar cane. In European courts, the nobles enjoyed the varieties grown in the archipelago, and they gained such renown that William Shakespeare came to describe the Canarian malmsey as a wine that “cheers the senses and perfumes the blood”.
The vineyards started to thrive until, in 1818, oidium and mildew blights rendered them practically useless. This was on top of the gradual introduction of banana and other crops, especially starting in the 1950s, which caused farmers to abandon their vineyards.
Vines ended up becoming a residual crop in La Palma, typical of small farmers and landowners, since fertile land was reserved for planting potatoes, plants or other crops that were more profitable or essential. However, thanks to the efforts of growers, in some places vineyards thrived, including in the municipality of Fuencaliente, which is currently home to several wineries.
Fuencaliente and wine
Wine growing in Fuencaliente coincided with the eruption of the San Antonio volcano. When it flared in 1677, the land was covered in ash, which later turned into the preferred soil for cultivation.
In order for the vines to take root, farmers dug down to the bottom of the volcanic ash before planting them. It was quite the discovery, since they found a type of sand formed with volcanic ash called lapilli or granzón, which helps the vines survive in adverse climates.
The vines that became popular in Fuencaliente are classified as European Vitis vinifera, which yields varieties such as gual, verdello, sabro, bujariego, negramoll and the highly-renowned malvasia.
Vineyards, then, are an intrinsic part of the landscape of Fuencaliente. On the steep slopes of the locality, from the coast to the summit, the green and yellow hues of the vineyards carpet the black and copper colours of the volcanic granite.
The variety of wines
Wines from Fuencaliente are also known for their variety. While some fields are almost at sea level, where vines have to tolerate warmer and drier temperatures, others grow near the summit, where the climate is cooler and more humid.
This difference in elevation, climates and soils allows different varieties to grow there. The viticulture used is also striking, with extreme micro-parcellation and the use of artisanal techniques to maintain centuries-old vines.
Reds, whites and rosés from all possible varieties are made in Fuencaliente. Tasting the products of the Juan Matías Torres, Teneguía and Carballo wineries provides an excellent opportunity to discover the full essence of Fuencaliente wines. They’re also quite close to the resort where the La Palma Princess and Esencia de La Palma hotels are located.
It is one of the oldest wineries in the Canaries. Founded in 1885, it is currently run by the fifth generation of the family, led by Victoria Torres. It defines itself as “a minimalist winery”, as it tries to process the wines as little as possible. Some of its most famous varieties include listán blanco, red negramoll, and the naturally sweet malvasia.
- Contact: +34 617 96 74 99
- Location: Calle Fuencaliente de Cdad. Real, s/n, Los Canarios
Teneguía Winery is a cooperative with more than 280 members founded in 1947 that preserves the tradition of the island’s winegrowers, while merging it with the most modern techniques. Up to 18 different types of wines, which have earned all kinds of international awards, are made in its facilities. Visit its winery to learn its history, techniques and to partake in a kind of treasure hunt. In the cellar, well hidden, the malvasia ages until it is old enough to be revealed. It’s open every day. Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00. We recommend booking in advance to take a guided tour and sample its wines.
- Contact: +34 922 44 40 78
- Location: Calle Antonio Francisco Hernández Santos, 8, Los Canarios
This winery is at the entrance to the San Antonio volcano. In fact, while there you can tour a volcanic tube that cools the wines during the fermentation and storage process. Although it was founded in 1989, its origins date back to the 18th century, when winegrowers took advantage of the ash from the San Antonio volcano to plant their crops. Bodegas Carballo has a catalogue that features five wines – two whites, two reds and a rosé – which you can explore to your heart’s content if you visit. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00 in summer and from 10:00 to 18:00 in winter.
- Contact: +34 630 971 693
- Address: Carretera a Las Indias, 74, Fuencaliente
During your stay in La Palma, be sure to try the best local wines in the wineries of Fuencaliente. A unique experience for the palate!
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