Wine Tourism in Lanzarote — The Definitive Guide to La Geria and Volcanic Wines
Vineyards grown in volcanic craters, grapes that soak up the Atlantic dew, and wines unlike any other in the world. Welcome to wine tourism in Lanzarote.
Why Wine Tourism in Lanzarote Is Unlike Anywhere Else in the World
Lanzarote is the only volcanic island in Europe where vines are still cultivated by hand on black volcanic ash (lapilli, or picón), without irrigation, using a technique over two centuries old that UNESCO recognised when it declared the whole island a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. The result is an unmatched winegrowing landscape and wines — especially Volcanic Malvasía — with a mineral character no other terroir can reproduce.
La Geria: The Most Singular Vineyard on the Planet
A landscape that photographers chase and winemakers study. La Geria holds the highest density of volcanic vineyards in the world.
La Geria is the winegrowing region at the heart of southern Lanzarote, spanning the municipalities of Tías, San Bartolomé and Tinajo. Its landscape is instantly recognisable: thousands of conical pits dug into the black ash, each with a single vine at its centre, ringed by semicircular volcanic stone walls called zocos that shield the plant from the trade winds and concentrate moisture. From the air, it looks like a field of miniature craters.
The Volcanic Pits — the Cradle of the Vine
Every winegrower digs a pit by hand, 1 to 3 metres deep, down to the clay soil beneath the lapilli. There they plant the vine, which over the years spreads its roots in search of the trapped moisture. The black picón surrounding the plant acts as a natural mulch: it absorbs the sun’s heat during the day and releases it at night, extending the ripening season.
The Zocos — Vernacular Architecture in the Service of Wine
The zoco is the semicircular basalt stone wall that surrounds each vine. Built to leeward of the prevailing trade wind, it shields the plant from the drying northerly wind. This pit-plus-zoco combination is the most singular engineering solution in world viticulture, and it earned La Geria recognition as a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) by the Government of the Canary Islands.
Lapilli — the Secret of Volcanic Wine
Picón, or lapilli, is the coarse-grained volcanic ash that blankets La Geria. Its high porosity captures moisture from the night dew — between 15 and 25 litres per square metre on some nights — and slowly filters it down to the roots. This is what makes Lanzarote’s vineyards entirely dry-farmed, without a single litre of irrigation on the vast majority of plots.
The Landscape — a First-Class Photographic Destination
La Geria has a golden hour that photographers know well: at sunrise, when the sun rises behind the volcanoes and casts the shadows of the zocos across the black picón. The chocolate and black tones, the deep green of the vines and the white of the Canarian houses create a composition that exists nowhere else on the planet.
The Best Wineries to Visit in Lanzarote
Lanzarote has more than 20 wineries registered under the D.O. These are the standout names for wine tourism, offering visits, tastings and one-of-a-kind experiences.
The Wines of Lanzarote: A Guide to Varietals and Styles
The D.O. Lanzarote produces a family of wines unlike any other in the world. Learn to recognise them before your visit.
Dry Volcanic Malvasía
Lanzarote’s most representative wine, and the one that has earned the greatest international recognition. Straw-yellow with golden hints, it has an explosive aroma of stone fruit (peach, apricot), white flowers and an unmistakable mineral undertone from the volcanic soil. On the palate it is fresh, unctuous, with an elegant acidity that makes it extraordinarily versatile for food pairing. Perfect with fresh fish, seafood and local goat’s cheese.
Semi-Sweet Volcanic Malvasía
With a touch of residual sugar that never tips into heavy sweetness, semi-sweet Malvasía is one of Lanzarote’s easiest and most enjoyable wines. Its tropical notes intensify and the volcanic aftertaste becomes more pronounced. Very popular with visitors new to wine tourism.
Naturally Sweet Malvasía
The most exclusive dessert wine in the Canary Islands. The grapes are harvested overripe, once the sun and the trade wind have naturally concentrated their sugars. The result is a deep golden wine with aromas of honey, dried figs, candied orange, and a volcanic minerality that gives it a complexity few sweet wines in the world can match. Perfect with foie gras, aged cheeses and almond desserts.
Barrel-Fermented Diego
Diego is a native white Canarian variety found almost exclusively in Lanzarote. When fermented in oak barrels — as Bermejo does in its most celebrated version — it gains an added layer of complexity: notes of vanilla and toast that meld with the volcanic fruit. A cult wine for lovers of complex whites.
Volcanic Reds: Listán Negro and Syrah
Listán negro is the Canary Islands’ historic red variety: light, fruity and with a natural acidity that makes it highly drinkable. In Lanzarote, the volcanic soil lends it a distinctive mineral character. Syrah, introduced more recently, produces bolder, more structured reds with notes of black fruit, pepper and a smoky undertone reminiscent of its volcanic origin. The reds from Vega de Yuco and Bermejo are the benchmark.
Rosés and Sparkling Wines
Lanzarote’s rosés — usually made from Listán negro or Syrah — are fresh, aromatic wines with good acidity that make them perfect companions for the island’s summers. Sparkling wines, though rare, are a delightful surprise: El Grifo produces a traditional-method Malvasía sparkling wine that is one of the most original discoveries in Canarian wine tourism.
Recommended Pairings for the Wines of Lanzarote
- Dry Malvasía → Fresh fish (grouper, parrotfish), octopus vinaigrette, wrinkled potatoes with green mojo
- Semi-sweet Malvasía → Sushi, ceviche, spring rolls, fresh goat’s cheese
- Sweet Malvasía → Foie gras, Canarian almond cake, semi-cured cheese with quince paste
- Barrel-aged Diego → Lobster rice, garlic prawns, confit cod
- Listán negro → Rabbit in salmorejo sauce, grilled meats, cured cheese
- Syrah → Roast kid goat, stews, mature cheeses
The Lanzarote Wine Route — Suggested Itinerary
Plan your day of wine tourism with this route, optimised for wineries, landscape and gastronomy.
Practical Information for the Route
- Total duration: 1 full day (2 days is ideal for a relaxed pace)
- Transport: a rental car is essential — there is no public transport to La Geria
- Winery hours: generally 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; some close Saturday afternoons and Sundays
- Bookings: required for guided visits at El Grifo, Stratvs and Bermejo
- Tasting prices: between €8 and €20 per person, depending on the winery and number of wines
- Best time to go: spring (March-June) and autumn (Sept-Nov) — fewer crowds and ideal temperatures
Wine Tourism Events in Lanzarote
Fiesta de la Vendimia (August-September): every year the island celebrates the grape harvest with events at the wineries, shows and tastings. The D.O. Lanzarote organises activities at El Grifo, Rubicón and other participating wineries. A particularly interesting time for wine tourists who want to see the process live.
Harvest nights at El Grifo: during the harvest, the winery organises special evenings where visitors can take part in the grape picking by torchlight. An experience that turns wine tourism into a memory for a lifetime.
The D.O. Lanzarote in Numbers
The Lanzarote Denominación de Origen, by the numbers.
Casona de Tao: Your Base for Wine Tourism in Lanzarote
Just 20 minutes from La Geria, with all the local knowledge to help you plan the best wine route.
Casona de Tao is located in the north of Lanzarote, in the municipality of Teguise. From here, La Geria is just a 20-minute drive along the LZ-30: a scenic road that crosses the centre of the island, passing fields of lapilli and views of the volcanoes. The drive to the wineries is already part of the wine tourism experience.
- ✓ 20 min from La Geria and Bodegas Rubicón and Stratvs
- ✓ 15 min from Bodegas El Grifo (San Bartolomé)
- ✓ 25 min from Bodegas Bermejo (Tías)
- ✓ 20 min from Vega de Yuco (Masdache)
- ✓ 20 min from the Lanzarote Wine Museum
- ✓ Breakfast with local produce included (rate-dependent)
- ✓ Free private parking for your rental car
- ✓ Personalised advice on planning your wine route
- ✓ Help booking winery visits if you need it
- ✓ Adults-only hotel — ideal for wine tourism getaways
Frequently Asked Questions About Wine Tourism in Lanzarote
How much does it cost to visit a winery in Lanzarote?
Guided tastings cost between €8 and €20 per person, depending on the winery and the number of wines included. El Grifo includes the Wine Museum visit in its entrance price. Rubicón and Stratvs usually offer tasting-plus-pairing packages for between €15 and €25. Always check current prices on each winery’s website.
Can you do the Lanzarote wine route by public transport?
No. The wineries in La Geria have no public transport service. Renting a car is essential. All the rental companies operate at Lanzarote airport. If you’d rather not drive between wineries, some local agencies offer wine tours with a driver included.
When is the grape harvest in Lanzarote?
The grape harvest in Lanzarote takes place in late August and through September, earlier than in most Spanish winegrowing regions. The volcanic heat speeds up grape ripening. It’s the most interesting time to visit the wineries, as you can watch the picking and winemaking process live.
Where can you buy Lanzarote wines to take home?
You can buy wines directly at the wineries during your visit — the best option, with exclusive labels not available elsewhere. They’re also sold at the El Corte Inglés supermarket in Arrecife, at La Laguna Supermarket, and at specialist shops at the airport. El Grifo has an online shop that ships to mainland Spain.
Which Lanzarote wine makes the best gift?
The Naturally Sweet Malvasía from El Grifo or Bermejo are the most exclusive wines and make the best-presented gifts. Bermejo’s barrel-fermented Diego is also a highly regarded choice among enthusiasts. For someone new to Lanzarote wines, a gift box with a dry Malvasía plus a sweet one is the perfect introduction.
What else is there to see in La Geria besides the wineries?
La Geria itself is a stunning visual destination that deserves time to explore beyond the wineries. The LZ-30 road that runs through it is one of the most spectacular on the island. Nearby you’ll find Timanfaya National Park (20 min), the village of San Bartolomé with its ethnographic museum, and Lanzarote’s aerodrome. You can also combine the route with a stop in Mozaga to see the classic white Canarian houses.
Discover More of Rural Tourism in Lanzarote
Ready to Discover Lanzarote’s Volcanic Wines?
Book Casona de Tao and start your wine route from the island’s best rural hotel. 20 minutes from La Geria, with breakfast, a pool, and expert advice from our team.