Mallorca is famous for its wines, and it’s easy to see why. The island has a unique climate that makes it perfect for growing grapes, and the wine industry has been thriving here since Roman times.
But what are the best Mallorca wines? What brands should you look out for? And which wineries are worth visiting while you’re on vacation?
The Panaderia in the village (for all the fluorescent lights) has an excellent selection of Mallorquin wines with the little Estanco also listing more and more local wines.
A little history of wine making in Mallorca
The history of wine making in Mallorca dates back to ancient times. The Phoenicians, who settled on the island in the 9th century BC, are believed to have introduced grape cultivation and wine making to Mallorca. The Romans, who conquered the island in 123 BC, also contributed to the development of the wine industry on Mallorca. They planted grapevines and established wineries throughout the island, and the wines produced in Mallorca became known for their quality.
During the Middle Ages, Mallorcan wines gained a reputation for their medicinal properties, and they were widely exported to other parts of Europe. In the 16th century, Mallorca became a major producer of wine, and the island’s wines were exported to many parts of the world, including the Americas.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the wine industry in Mallorca experienced a period of decline. This was due in part to the phylloxera epidemic, which devastated the island’s vineyards, and the introduction of new grape varieties, which led to a shift in production towards bulk wines. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Mallorcan grape varieties and wine making techniques, and the island’s wines are once again gaining recognition for their quality.
Best Mallorca Wines
These are some of the most popular indigenous Mallorca wine grapes, as well as some recommendations on bodegas to visit!
The indigenous grapes of Mallorca include
- Manto Negro,
- Callet,
- Fogoneu,
- Giró Ros, and
- Prensal Blanc.
These grapes are used to produce a variety of wines, including red, white, and sparkling wines.
Mallorca is known for producing a variety of wines, including red, white, and sparkling wines. Some of the most famous wines from Mallorca include:
- Binissalem-Mallorca: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro grape variety, which is native to Mallorca. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Pla i Llevant: This is a white wine made from the Prensal Blanc grape variety, which is also native to Mallorca. It is a fresh and aromatic wine with flavors of citrus, green apple, and white flowers.
- Brut Nature: This is a sparkling wine made from the Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada grape varieties. It is a dry and crisp wine with flavors of green apples and white flowers.
- Es Trenc: This is a white wine made from the Giró Ros grape variety, which is native to Mallorca. It is a dry and aromatic wine with flavors of citrus and white flowers.
- Juxta Mare: a white wine comprising 100% malvasia from Banyalbufar
Wineries (Bodegas) to visit
Bodegas Macià Batle:
Located in the town of Santa María del Camí, Bodegas Macià Batle is one of the most famous wineries in Mallorca. The winery is known for its red, white, and sparkling wines, which are made from traditional Mallorcan grape varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, and Prensal Blanc.
Drive time: 45 minutes
Bodegas J. F. Montero:
Located in the town of Sencelles, Bodegas J. F. Montero is another well-known bodega in Mallorca. The winery produces a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines, and it is known for its commitment to traditional wine making techniques and the use of indigenous grape varieties.
Bodegas Ribas:
Located in the town of Binissalem, Bodegas Ribas is a family-owned winery that has been producing wines in Mallorca for over 100 years. The winery is known for its red and white wines, which are made from traditional Mallorcan grape varieties such as Manto Negro and Prensal Blanc.
Bodegas Son Prim:
Located in the town of Campos, Bodegas Son Prim is a modern winery that produces a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines. The winery is known for its use of traditional Mallorcan grape varieties and its commitment to sustainable wine making practices.
Son Vich de Superna winery
Mountain winery located in the Tramuntana mountains with Manto Negro grown at the highest altitude in the world (see wine called Supernins).
The Son Vich de Superna Winery is a family winery which uses traditional production methods. It is located in Majorca, right in the heart of the Serra Tramuntana, one of four wine production areas in the world classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It was founded in 2006 with a passion to make wines that are not only high quality, but also different from what was until then being made on the island, always fully respecting the natural environment.
The wines produced are white, blanc de noir, rosé and barrel aged red, and indigenous grape varieties are grown in the vineyards, including Prensal, Manto Negro and Gorgollassa, as well as international ones like Viognier, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
The vineyard offers different tastings which you can see on their website page.
Celler Son Vic de Superna, Crta, Ctra. Esporles, KM 8, 07194 Puigpunyent, Illes Balears, https://www.sonvichdesuperna.es/
Drive time from Villa: 40 mins
Bodega Son Vives
Small coastal vineyard that specialises in the ancient Malvasia grape (known as Malmsey in English). The grape makes a dry white wine with a salty quality that arises from its growing location on the dramatic terraces overlooking banyalbufar and the sea. It is literally grown between the mountains and the sea.
The story of how they reestablished the grape in the 2000s is fascinating and shows what commitment and passion can do. The town overlooking the sea with its dramatic terraces and complex watering system is fascinating and very well worth a visit!
Location: Crta. Ma-10, Km. 87.5, 07191 Banyalbufar
Website: https://bodegasonvives.com/
Distance from Villa: 45 minutes
bodega son puig
Charming small winery in the Tramuntana in Puigpunyent. You can visit for tours but also just to buy their wines
Website: https://vinsdesonpuig.com/
Address: Mallorca, Finca Son Puig s / n (Ctra.Puigpunyent, km 12’8)
Distance from Villa: 1 hour
Organic Wineries in Mallorca
Bodega Son Vida:
Located in the town of Santa Maria del Camí, Bodega Son Vida is an organic winery that produces red, white, and sparkling wines using traditional Mallorcan grape varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, and Prensal Blanc. The winery is committed to sustainable wine making practices and has been certified organic by the Catalan Council of Ecological Agriculture.
Bodega Son Net:
Located in the town of Consell, Bodega Son Net is an organic winery that produces a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines using traditional Mallorcan grape varieties. The winery is committed to sustainable wine making practices and has been certified organic by the Catalan Council of Ecological Agriculture.
Clos de S’Almudaina
Clos de S’Almudaina is a winery located in the town of Felanitx, which is in the southeast of Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines using traditional Mallorcan grape varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, and Prensal Blanc. The wines of Clos de S’Almudaina are made using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, and the winery is committed to producing wines that are representative of the unique terroir of Mallorca. The winery produces a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines that are highly regarded by wine critics and consumers.
Bodega Can Feliu
Bodega Can Feliu is a winery located in the town of Porreres, which is in the southeast of Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines using traditional Mallorcan grape varieties such as Manto Negro, Callet, and Prensal Blanc. The wines of Bodega Can Feliu are made using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, and the winery is committed to producing wines that are representative of the unique terroir of Mallorca. The winery produces a variety of red, white, and sparkling wines that are highly regarded by wine critics and consumers.
Camí de sa Serra Km 1,2 07260 Porreres https://canfeliu.es/ or https://bodegacanfeliu.com/
Distance from Villa: 1.25 hours
More about Mallorca’s grape varieties
Prensal Blanc
Prensal Blanc is a white grape variety that is native to Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. It is a late-ripening grape that is known for producing fresh, aromatic wines with flavors of citrus, green apple, and white flowers. Prensal Blanc is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, to produce white wines that are crisp and well-balanced. The grape is also used to make sparkling wines and is a key component of Mallorcan wines such as Pla i Llevant. Prensal Blanc is grown primarily in Mallorca, although it is also found in small quantities in other parts of Spain.
Pla i Llevant: This is a white wine made from the Prensal Blanc grape variety, which is native to Mallorca. It is a fresh and aromatic wine with flavors of citrus, green apple, and white flowers.
Giro Ros
Giró Ros is a red grape variety that is native to Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. It is a late-ripening grape that is known for producing wines with medium to full body and flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs. Giró Ros is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Manto Negro and Callet, to produce red wines that are well-balanced and have good structure. The grape is also used to make rosé wines and is a key component of Mallorcan wines such as Es Trenc. Giró Ros is grown primarily in Mallorca, although it is also found in small quantities in other parts of Spain.
Here are a few examples of wines that are made from the Giró Ros grape variety:
- Es Trenc: This is a white wine made from the Giró Ros grape variety, which is native to Mallorca. It is a dry and aromatic wine with flavors of citrus and white flowers.
- Rosat: This is a rosé wine made from the Giró Ros grape variety. It is a fruity and aromatic wine with flavors of red fruit and white flowers.
Callet
Callet is a red grape variety that is native to Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. It is a late-ripening grape that is known for producing wines with medium to full body and flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs. Callet wines are generally well-balanced, with good structure and a long finish. The grape is often used to produce red wines that are fruity and full-bodied, with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices. Callet is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Manto Negro and Giró Ros, to produce red wines that are well-balanced and have good structure. Callet is grown primarily in Mallorca, although it is also found in small quantities in other parts of Spain.
Here are a few examples of wines that are made from the Callet grape variety:
- Binissalem-Mallorca: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro and Callet grape varieties, which are native to Mallorca. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Callet Negre: This is a red wine made from the Callet grape variety. It is a full-bodied wine with flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs.
- Es Pla: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro and Callet grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Sencelles: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro and Callet grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
These are just a few examples of wines that are made from the Callet grape variety. Callet is a key component of many Mallorcan wines and is known for its contribution to the unique character and flavor of these wines.
Fogoneu
Fogoneu is a red grape variety that is native to Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands, which are an autonomous community of Spain. It is a late-ripening grape that is known for producing wines with medium to full body and flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs. Fogoneu is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Manto Negro and Callet, to produce red wines that are well-balanced and have good structure. The grape is also used to make rosé wines and is a key component of Mallorcan wines. Fogoneu is grown primarily in Mallorca, although it is also found in small quantities in other parts of Spain.
Examples of wines using fogoneu grapes
- Fogoneu: This is a red wine made from the Fogoneu grape variety. It is a full-bodied wine with flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs.
- Es Pla: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro, Callet, and Fogoneu grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Sencelles: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro, Callet, and Fogoneu grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Rosat: This is a rosé wine made from the Fogoneu grape variety. It is a fruity and aromatic wine with flavors of red fruit and white flowers.
Manto Negro Grape
Manto Negro is a red grape variety that is native to Mallorca. It is a late-ripening grape that is known for producing wines with medium to full body and flavors of red fruit, spices, and herbs. Manto Negro is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Callet and Fogoneu, to produce red wines that are well-balanced and have good structure. The grape is also used to make rosé wines and is a key component of Mallorcan wines. Manto Negro is grown primarily in Mallorca, although it is also found in small quantities in other parts of Spain.
There are many wines that are made from the Manto Negro grape variety and it is difficult to say which ones are the best as taste is subjective. Here are a few examples of wines that are made from Manto Negro and are highly regarded by wine critics and consumers:
- Binissalem-Mallorca: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro and Callet grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
- Es Pla: This is a red wine made from the Manto Negro, Callet, and Fogoneu grape varieties. It is a fruity and full-bodied wine with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spices.
Specific regions in Mallorca
Banyalbufar
Banyalbufar is a village in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on the northwest coast of Mallorca. It has a long tradition of wine making, dating back to the Moorish period, when they introduced the Malvasia grape variety and built terraces for cultivation.
Malvasia is one of the oldest white grape varieties in the Mediterranean and produces dry and sweet wines with a distinctive flavour and aroma. It is also known as the “vineyard by the sea” because of the influence of the salty air on the grapes.
There are several wineries in Banyalbufar that produce white wines from Malvasia grapes, such as Son Vives, Malvasia de Banyalbufar and Can Pico. They offer different types of wines, some fermented in oak barrels and some blended with other varieties like Chardonnay or Prensal.
You can visit these wineries and taste their wines in their shops or bars, or enjoy them in one of the restaurants in the village. You can also admire the scenic views of the terraced vineyards and the sea from various paths and viewpoints.
