9 Activities
The Zocos of La Geria: Exploring the Unique Wineries of Lanzarote
Starts from
Arrecife
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
10 hrs
Length
15 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Arrecife
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs
Length
15 mi
- Natural Attractions
- Gastronomy
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Admire the "lunar" landscape from the top of a volcano.
- Sample award-winning Malvasia wines.
- Learn how vines are grown on ancient lava fields.
- Visit a mini "grand canyon".
Located at a latitude of about 28 degrees (rather than 30–50 degrees, like most wine regions), with volcanic activity and extreme winds, the Canary Islands don’t seem like the most obvious place for wine production. Winemaking has, however, been produced here since the 15th century, when the islands were colonized by the Spanish. Thousands of gallons of sweet, fortified, Malvasía wine (known as Sack or Malmsey) were exported to the UK during the 16th and 17th centuries, where it was favoured by artists, writers, and the nobility – even Shakespeare drank it!
As demand for the alternative French and Portuguese wine grew in the 18th century, so Canarian wine production diminished, until the supply was mostly for domestic consumption.
Although most Canarian wine is still sold domestically, the renewed interest in wines from this region has boosted production considerably, and most of the islands now have a thriving viniculture.
Lanzarote currently has 18 registered vineyards, spread across 2000 hectares of land, which produce a range of red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Like the other islands, Lanzarote wine producers favour indigenous grapes over international varieties. White wine grapes are mostly Malvasia, of which Malvasia Volcanica is the most popular; 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety. Other white wine grapes include Listán Blanco, Diego and Moscatel de Alexandria. For red and rosé wines, Listán Negro is the main grape.
On this trip, you’ll be driving around La Geria region, where the vineyards are concentrated, to visit 3 of the largest, and most well-known, wineries on the island. You’ll learn about the production and harvesting methods unique to this island, and taste some of their award-winning wines. Along the way, there will be time to take some walks around the vineyards and into the island’s lunar-like interior to appreciate the beauty of this unique landscape.
As demand for the alternative French and Portuguese wine grew in the 18th century, so Canarian wine production diminished, until the supply was mostly for domestic consumption.
Although most Canarian wine is still sold domestically, the renewed interest in wines from this region has boosted production considerably, and most of the islands now have a thriving viniculture.
Lanzarote currently has 18 registered vineyards, spread across 2000 hectares of land, which produce a range of red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Like the other islands, Lanzarote wine producers favour indigenous grapes over international varieties. White wine grapes are mostly Malvasia, of which Malvasia Volcanica is the most popular; 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety. Other white wine grapes include Listán Blanco, Diego and Moscatel de Alexandria. For red and rosé wines, Listán Negro is the main grape.
On this trip, you’ll be driving around La Geria region, where the vineyards are concentrated, to visit 3 of the largest, and most well-known, wineries on the island. You’ll learn about the production and harvesting methods unique to this island, and taste some of their award-winning wines. Along the way, there will be time to take some walks around the vineyards and into the island’s lunar-like interior to appreciate the beauty of this unique landscape.
Categories
- Natural Attractions
- Gastronomy
Located at a latitude of about 28 degrees (rather than 30–50 degrees, like most wine regions), with volcanic activity and extreme winds, the Canary Islands don’t seem like the most obvious place for wine production. Winemaking has, however, been produced here since the 15th century, when the islands were colonized by the Spanish. Thousands of gallons of sweet, fortified, Malvasía wine (known as Sack or Malmsey) were exported to the UK during the 16th and 17th centuries, where it was favoured by artists, writers, and the nobility – even Shakespeare drank it!
As demand for the alternative French and Portuguese wine grew in the 18th century, so Canarian wine production diminished, until the supply was mostly for domestic consumption.
Although most Canarian wine is still sold domestically, the renewed interest in wines from this region has boosted production considerably, and most of the islands now have a thriving viniculture.
Lanzarote currently has 18 registered vineyards, spread across 2000 hectares of land, which produce a range of red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Like the other islands, Lanzarote wine producers favour indigenous grapes over international varieties. White wine grapes are mostly Malvasia, of which Malvasia Volcanica is the most popular; 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety. Other white wine grapes include Listán Blanco, Diego and Moscatel de Alexandria. For red and rosé wines, Listán Negro is the main grape.
On this trip, you’ll be driving around La Geria region, where the vineyards are concentrated, to visit 3 of the largest, and most well-known, wineries on the island. You’ll learn about the production and harvesting methods unique to this island, and taste some of their award-winning wines. Along the way, there will be time to take some walks around the vineyards and into the island’s lunar-like interior to appreciate the beauty of this unique landscape.
As demand for the alternative French and Portuguese wine grew in the 18th century, so Canarian wine production diminished, until the supply was mostly for domestic consumption.
Although most Canarian wine is still sold domestically, the renewed interest in wines from this region has boosted production considerably, and most of the islands now have a thriving viniculture.
Lanzarote currently has 18 registered vineyards, spread across 2000 hectares of land, which produce a range of red, white, rose and sparkling wines. Like the other islands, Lanzarote wine producers favour indigenous grapes over international varieties. White wine grapes are mostly Malvasia, of which Malvasia Volcanica is the most popular; 60% of wines with the Lanzarote Designation of Origin are of this variety. Other white wine grapes include Listán Blanco, Diego and Moscatel de Alexandria. For red and rosé wines, Listán Negro is the main grape.
On this trip, you’ll be driving around La Geria region, where the vineyards are concentrated, to visit 3 of the largest, and most well-known, wineries on the island. You’ll learn about the production and harvesting methods unique to this island, and taste some of their award-winning wines. Along the way, there will be time to take some walks around the vineyards and into the island’s lunar-like interior to appreciate the beauty of this unique landscape.
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Admire the "lunar" landscape from the top of a volcano.
- Sample award-winning Malvasia wines.
- Learn how vines are grown on ancient lava fields.
- Visit a mini "grand canyon".
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
12 mi3 mi
Walks and Wineries
You will begin this trip with an energizing walk around one of the volcanic craters in La Geria region, before visiting the first of the bodegas for some wine tasting. After a lovely lunch, there is more wine tasting, and a walk through the vineyards, followed by a guided tour of one of the wineries. On the way back home, you’ll stop to see a very unusual rock formation, followed by supper in Tias.
09:305 min
Car Park
This is a lovely 7.4 km loop walk around Montana de Tinasoria, taking in the beauty of the volcanic landscape. Park your car here and hit the road on foot.
1.6 mi
40 min
10:151 hr
Tinasoria Mount
Heading East along the dirt track leading off the LZ-30 (signposted with finger posts), the trail gently climbs towards Tinasoria mountain, passing an information board about the region along the way.
After about 3 km, you’ll come to a fork in the road. Here, you will leave the main track, and follow a smaller path (past ruined farm buildings) which will take you up to the summit, from where you can admire the view across to the East coast. Follow the path along the summit ridge, marked by a few stone cairns. Follow the ridge as it curves right, gradually descending until you arrive at a cultivated area with a wire fence. Turn left here.
After 100 yards or so, the path turns right to descend between the vines, leading you back to the main track. Turn left here to retrace your steps to the road and car park.
After about 3 km, you’ll come to a fork in the road. Here, you will leave the main track, and follow a smaller path (past ruined farm buildings) which will take you up to the summit, from where you can admire the view across to the East coast. Follow the path along the summit ridge, marked by a few stone cairns. Follow the ridge as it curves right, gradually descending until you arrive at a cultivated area with a wire fence. Turn left here.
After 100 yards or so, the path turns right to descend between the vines, leading you back to the main track. Turn left here to retrace your steps to the road and car park.
1.6 mi
40 min
11:555 min
Car Park
Collect your car and head straight to Bodegas Rubicón.
1.9 mi
5 min
12:1545 min
Bodegas Rubicón
Bodegas Rubicon is an old estate dating to 1570 when it was a farm producing wheat, barley and rye. Today, it focuses exclusively on wine production, which you’ll be sampling during this visit.
Vinicultural practices in Lanzarote were transformed during the 18th century after the volcanic eruptions of the Montañas del Fuego volcanoes in 1730 which covered La Geria region in 30-40 cm of volcanic ash. Rather than abandoning the land, farmers discovered that if you dug below this ash, the soil beneath was very fertile. Also, the ash (known as picon) helped trap and retain moisture from the scarce rainfall, and regulated the temperature of the soil, helping the vines to flourish. It also served as a barrier to prevent the growth of weeds around the vines.
At the bodega, you can visit the shop for some free wine tasting, as well as taking a stroll around the main house and gardens.
Vinicultural practices in Lanzarote were transformed during the 18th century after the volcanic eruptions of the Montañas del Fuego volcanoes in 1730 which covered La Geria region in 30-40 cm of volcanic ash. Rather than abandoning the land, farmers discovered that if you dug below this ash, the soil beneath was very fertile. Also, the ash (known as picon) helped trap and retain moisture from the scarce rainfall, and regulated the temperature of the soil, helping the vines to flourish. It also served as a barrier to prevent the growth of weeds around the vines.
At the bodega, you can visit the shop for some free wine tasting, as well as taking a stroll around the main house and gardens.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:151 hr 30 min
Taberna La Cepa
Across the road, La Geria also offers wine tasting in its "tasting room". Today, however, you’ll be sampling their wonderful tapas at the winery’s taverna – Taberna La Cepa. The octopus is particularly good, as is the range of open sandwiches; preferably accompanied by a small glass of their recommended wine.
5 mi
10 min
14:551 hr
Juan Bello Volcano Trail Start
You're now about to visit El Grifo, the oldest winery on the Canary Islands, dating to 1775. But before joining the wine tour this afternoon, take a walk through the vineyards and across the lava fields of the Juan Bello volcano. Here you’ll see that each vine is protected by a curved dry-stone wall, known as zocos. The zocos protect the vines from the strong north-easterly trade winds. This method of vine growing is unique to Lanzarote.
Follow the dirt track that leads out of El Grifo towards Volcan de Juan Bello to see the zocos up close. After less than a kilometre, you’ll come to a crossroads. Turn left and continue to follow the track as it skirts around the edge of the crater. The track will end after another kilometre, and you can re-trace your steps back to the winery. The walk is around 4 km in total.
Follow the dirt track that leads out of El Grifo towards Volcan de Juan Bello to see the zocos up close. After less than a kilometre, you’ll come to a crossroads. Turn left and continue to follow the track as it skirts around the edge of the crater. The track will end after another kilometre, and you can re-trace your steps back to the winery. The walk is around 4 km in total.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:001 hr 30 min
El Grifo
El Grifo is the largest winery in Lanzarote; it’s huge 60-hectare vineyard produces around half a million bottles of wine annually.
The guided tour of the winery begins at 4:00 p.m. and takes 40 minutes, during which you will visit the wine production facilities and the vineyards, as well as taste 3 of their wines.
Please note that tickets must be booked in advance on the official website.
After the tour, you are free to explore the ethnographic museum, which showcases tools and machinery relating to wine production across the centuries, and take a stroll around the bodega’s pretty cactus and palm gardens.
The guided tour of the winery begins at 4:00 p.m. and takes 40 minutes, during which you will visit the wine production facilities and the vineyards, as well as taste 3 of their wines.
Please note that tickets must be booked in advance on the official website.
After the tour, you are free to explore the ethnographic museum, which showcases tools and machinery relating to wine production across the centuries, and take a stroll around the bodega’s pretty cactus and palm gardens.
3.1 mi
10 min
17:4530 min
Las Grietas
Las Grietas (the "crack") is, quite literally, a crack in the rock which was caused by the volcanic plates of Montaña Blanco cracking. It is, however, visually, quite spectacular – like a tiny Grand Canyon. Early evening is the perfect time to visit as the fading light creates dramatic shadows on the rock walls.
The path to Las Grietas is on the opposite side of the road to the parking and the walk only takes a few minutes, but the path can be slippery. You can only walk about 20 metres into the "canyon" but it’s well worth it.
The path to Las Grietas is on the opposite side of the road to the parking and the walk only takes a few minutes, but the path can be slippery. You can only walk about 20 metres into the "canyon" but it’s well worth it.
