Discover the best vineyards and wines of banyalbufar
Banyalbufar is one of those little villages that seem frozen in time. In an era when Mallorca lived at a different pace, where only the sea and the land dictated the hours and days of its inhabitants.
This small settlement located between the Tramontana Mountains and the Mediterranean has its origins in Arab culture, dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries. Banyalbufar means "Construction by the sea," although some sources refer to it as "Vineyards by the sea."
The Islamic heritage goes beyond the name alone: the terraced walls, which allowed cultivation on the land and were irrigated by a complex system, are the hallmark and a testament to its original culture.
Malvasia, the grape that almost disappeared.
For centuries, Malvasia grapes thrived in these "hanging gardens", giving rise to excellent wines that soon gained fame and popularity. However, in 1891, the phylloxera parasite nearly wiped out all the vines, which had to be replaced with tomatoes and potatoes to feed the townspeople.
A century later, a group of friends stumbled upon a Malvasia vine in a private garden. The plant was in poor condition, so they decided to send it to Italy for restoration and, later, bring it back to its homeland.
The discovery bore fruit, as over 250 vines were planted through effort and a clear objective: to revive the famous wines of Banyalbufar alongside the Malvasia grape.
"Malvasia de Banyalbufar," the taste of bygone wine.
Following the initial successes in vine cultivation and production, and the establishment of the brand, the cooperative "Malvasia de Banyalbufar" was founded. It was the year 2000, and a group of friends had a clear vision: to carry on the tradition, involving the entire community, and dedicating time, passion, and effort.
The Malvasia grapes are harvested at different times of the year and give rise to two types of white wine: a dry one that ferments in oak barrels, with a smooth flavor, and a sweeter, lighter variety.
Vineyards scattered at different elevations.
When the Malvasia recovery project began, many locals offered their terraces to make it a reality.
The nature of these terraces is whimsical, which is why the vines are planted at various elevations. This allows them to ripen at different rates, resulting in small but more enduring harvests.
The grapes can be chilled to reach the optimal pressing temperature, giving the resulting wine a special character that captures the heart and soul of the locality.
The wineries of Banyalbufar
Can Pico is a family winery whose vineyards are distributed across four plots on the terraces facing the sea. It produces around 5,000 liters of excellent quality wine per year, with great care and attention to detail.
On the other hand, Son Vives Winery has a surface area of 1.5 hectares, also distributed on terraces, where over 4,000 Malvasia vines are planted. One of its attractions is the preservation of the ancient cellar, where the wine is aged and matured in oak barrels.
