Lanzarote, the easternmost island of Spain’s Canary Islands, sits just off the northern coast of Africa. It is a land of striking contrasts, where the deep black of volcanic ash meets the vivid blue of the Atlantic Ocean. Its rugged terrain, marked by solidified lava flows and volcanic craters, tells the story of an island formed by powerful eruptions 15 million years ago. With a landscape that seems more fitting for a sci-fi film than a fertile vineyard, Lanzarote stands out as one of the world’s most remarkable wine-making regions. Despite its seemingly inhospitable environment—minimal rainfall, blistering heat, and arid soil—Lanzarote produces between 400,000 and 600,000 bottles of wine each year. How is this possible? The answer lies in the island’s inventive wine-making techniques, a blend of resilience, tradition, and ingenuity that dates back to the 18th century.
A Volcanic Beginning: The Formation of Lanzarote’s Landscape
Lanzarote’s wine-making culture is inseparable from its volcanic origins. Around 15 million years ago, volcanic activity created the island, shaping its rugged, otherworldly appearance. But it was the eruption of the Timanfaya Volcano in 1730, one of the most significant in the island’s history, that had the most profound impact. The eruption lasted for six years, covering a third of the island in a thick layer of volcanic ash and creating an austere, almost apocalyptic landscape. The aftermath forced many residents to emigrate, fearing the island was no longer habitable.
However, those who remained uncovered an unexpected treasure in the volcanic soil—picón, a porous type of volcanic ash that turned out to be crucial for agriculture. This layer of picón is excellent at retaining moisture from the scant rainfall and the condensation of the island’s cool night air. Even with Lanzarote’s low annual rainfall—spread over just 16 days—the island’s farmers were able to make the land productive, particularly for growing grapes.
Dry Cultivation: An Innovative Wine-Making Technique
Lanzarote’s dry cultivation method is as distinctive as its landscape. Given the harsh conditions, including temperatures that can soar to 50°C (120°F) on the black plains, traditional farming techniques would have been impossible. Instead, Lanzarote’s farmers developed a unique method to cope with the environment: dry farming using volcanic soil.
In this technique, vines are planted in individual pits, and dug by hand into the layer of picón. These pits can be up to three meters (about 10 feet) deep. The purpose of the pits is twofold: they protect the vines from the fierce winds that sweep across the island and maximize the amount of moisture the vines can absorb. Additionally, crescent-shaped stone walls, known as zocos, are built around each pit to further shield the plants from the wind.
The porous nature of the volcanic ash allows it to capture and retain the moisture from the air, slowly releasing it to the vines over time. This technique allows grapevines to thrive in an environment where they would otherwise wither. The result is a uniquely flavored wine, heavily influenced by the mineral-rich soil.
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…Wine is the only artwork you can drink.
Lanzarote’s Grape Varieties
Lanzarote’s wine is known for its distinct taste, shaped by both the island’s unique soil composition and its rare grape varieties. The most important grape grown on Lanzarote is Malvasía Volcánica, a variant of the Malvasía grape that has adapted to the island’s volcanic conditions. This grape produces a sweet, aromatic wine with notes of tropical fruits and honey, balanced by the minerality imparted by the volcanic soil. Malvasía Volcánica is often used to make both dry and sweet white wines, which are prized for their complex flavours.
Other grape varieties include Listán Negro and Listán Blanco. Listán Negro is primarily used for red wines, offering fruity, slightly spicy flavours, while Listán Blanco is a versatile grape used for both dry and sparkling wines.
Wine Production: A Labor of Love
Producing wine in Lanzarote is no easy task. The island’s winemakers are considered some of the hardest-working in the world, facing physical challenges that are unique to their region. The process begins with the labour-intensive task of preparing the pits for planting. Given the arid conditions, farmers cannot rely on machinery for most of the work, making the process highly manual. Every vine is hand-planted, nurtured, and harvested following the traditional methods passed down through generations.
Harvesting, in particular, is a demanding process. Vines are spaced far apart to maximize their access to moisture, which means workers must cover large distances between plants. Furthermore, due to the extreme heat during the day, most harvesting takes place early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This method of cultivation is not only labour-intensive but also reflective of the deep connection between the island’s people and their land.
The Legacy of Lanzarote’s Wine
Lanzarote’s wine-making culture is a story of perseverance in the face of adversity. While many regions rely on lush, fertile soil and predictable climates for their wine production, Lanzarote’s winemakers have had to adapt to an environment that offers the exact opposite. Their success is a testament to human resilience and ingenuity, proving that even in the harshest conditions, something beautiful can grow.
Today, Lanzarote’s wines have gained international recognition, winning awards and accolades for their unique qualities. Local wine cellars, or bodegas, offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the extraordinary story of Lanzarote’s wine culture. In the La Geria wine region, rows of stone-walled pits stretch as far as the eye can see, a symbol of the island’s determination and creativity.
…Age appears to be best in four things: old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.
An Unforgettable Underwater Experience: Museo Atlántico
While Lanzarote’s wine culture is a major draw, the island offers other unique experiences that will leave travellers in awe. One of the most captivating is the Museo Atlántico, an underwater museum located off the coast of Playa Blanca. Created by renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor, this museum features over 300 life-sized sculptures submerged at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, about 12 meters (39 feet) deep. The sculptures, made from eco-friendly materials, are designed to promote marine life growth, turning the museum into an evolving artificial reef. For travellers, it’s a breathtaking experience to dive or snorkel among these surreal, haunting figures while being surrounded by Lanzarote’s vibrant marine life.
The perfect time to visit Lanzarote, especially to enjoy its wine culture and unique attractions like the Museo Atlántico, is from September to November. During this period, the weather is pleasant, the summer crowds have thinned, and the vineyards are bustling with the grape harvest season, allowing travellers to experience the island’s winemaking firsthand.
Lanzarote is not just a place of natural beauty and striking volcanic landscapes; it is also a place where tradition, innovation, and hard work come together. The island’s wine is a reflection of its volcanic origin, its extreme climate, and the dedication of its people. Each bottle tells a story—of the land, the vines, and the people who, despite all odds, have transformed an arid volcanic terrain into a flourishing vineyard. Together with Lanzarote’s wine-making culture Museo Atlantico is truly one of a kind. Both are a testament to the power of resilience in the most unexpected places.
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