Unique Vineyards of Lanzarote, Spain

Lanzarote Vineyards — It is an absolutely incredible creation of human hands. A colossal work by people in love with their deserted volcanic island. Lanzarote, the Canary Island, is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 120 kilometres off the coast of Africa. The island was discovered in 1312 by the Italian navigator Malosello Lanselloti, after whom the island was named. Lanzarote was formed after a volcanic eruption 15 million years ago.

On its 860 square kilometres of area are three hundred Volcanoes. Over millions of years, their activity has created a unique, fantastic relief resembling lunar landscapes. On the island, there is almost no rain; the weather is dry and hot. The entire island is composed of volcanic rock and sand. But despite these conditions, grapes are still grown here to make great wine. Lanzarote was, in fact, the last of the Canary Islands to produce commercial wine, and since 1775, they have continued to grow the vines in the unique traditional manner. The incredible ingenuity of the locals made successful agriculture possible, though it cost them huge labour.

A totally unique method was devised for the cultivation of grapes and other crops. Each vine is planted in a circular diameter of about five metres and a depth of about one metre. This well is surrounded by a half-metre stone wall, built by industrious islanders. The wall is designed to protect the plant from the wind; this wall is called a zoco. But the wall is not the biggest problem. Vineyards require a lot of moisture, and thus on Lanzarote even light rain is a rare visitor. And without water, on the slopes, on the rocks, it almost manages to cultivate a quality of vine? And sometimes unfriendly to farmers, the island's nature provides the necessary perfect natural complex: sea, sunlight, mineral-rich soil, and a natural irrigation system!! Fly-out night dew is well absorbed and retained in volcanic soil. Salty sea air creates mineral-rich moisture, imparting a unique flavour to grapes from which amazing, to-taste wines of Lanzarote are produced.

First Image credit: Stéphane Neckebrock

Image credit: rainerwonisch

Pit located with great precision, creating a wonderful unearthly landscape. If the soil is brown, it looks like the planet Mars. Now Lanzarote has about 2000 hectares of vineyards; mostly they are concentrated in the centre and south of the island around the natural park of La Geria. From the grapes harvested, about two million litres of wine are produced per year. Given the small area of the island, it's not enough. Lanzarote is something to see. So just one day on the island will bring many positive emotions and leave a lot of pleasant memories.