INTRODUCTION

 

            This project arises from a land with strong traditional ties to farming and wine-growing. The Route runs through the Tacoronte-Acentejo and the Orotava Valley Designation of Origin (DO) areas, embracing territory from the coast to the mountains with unsurpassed wine-growing conditions due to a special climate. The moderate temperatures throughout the year under  the influence of the trade winds make it one of the best areas in the Canary Islands and even in the world for grape production and winemaking.

            The Tacoronte-Acentejo D.O. comprises nine municipalities: Tegueste, Tacoronte, El Sauzal, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, La Laguna, El Rosario and Santa Cruz (the Anaga sub-zone, located in the Anaga protected rural area, is also part of the D.O. and forms part of the municipalities of La Laguna, Santa Cruz and Tegueste).This was the first recognised D.O. in the Autonomous Community and is a pioneer in winemaking aspects such as carbonic maceration, maturing and reserves. It is marked by predominance of the Listan Negro and Negramoll varieties, and others such as Tintilla, Listán Blanco, Malmsey, Gual, Marmajuelo,… all traditional Canary Islands strains found practically nowhere else in the world.

The Orotava D.O. includes three municipalities: La Orotava, Los Realejos and Puerto de la Cruz. The wines grown here are made from autochthonous varieties such as white Listán and black Listán along with Malvasía, Tintilla, Vijariego, Marmajuelo, etc. Temperate microclimates and the meteorological phenomena known as the "panza de burro" ("burro's belly" or see of clouds forming on the slopes of Teide) favour delicate ripening of the grape. The grapevines are cultivated in an original way on "plaited multiple cordons" (unique in the world) with vines shoots up to 7 m long and to a height of 60 cm, which awaken the curiosity of visitors and constitute a highly valued scenic and cultural heritage.

The D.O. Regulatory Boards, responsible for guaranteeing the quality and origin of the wines through their control measures, have achieved deserved recognition for these two designations both within and outside the Islands.

Being as it is an eminently agricultural region whose history has always been closely linked to winemaking, the various municipal authorities involved (El Sauzal, La Laguna, La Orotava, Tacoronte y Tegueste), in collaboration with the Regulatory Boards and other private agents, have decided to create a Tourist Route focusing on the theme of vineyards and wine, the Tenerife Wine Route. This is currently the first in the Canary Islands to obtain certification as a "Spanish Wine Route", a distinction awarded by the Secretariat of State for Tourism and the Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN) guaranteeing the quality standards reflected in the infrastructures and services offered by the establishments and bodies making up the Route.

Through this Route we cordially invite you to get to know a region which has found a way to preserve its customs and traditions, harmonising history with new technologies. You will find large, high-technology wineries alongside small family cellars, each with its personal identity and charm. We invite you to enjoy the vineyards, their rich cultural and scenic heritage, along with a varied range of leisure activities (beaches, pathways, gastronomic workshops, tasting with experts, fiestas and markets...). The visit will offer you the chance to try excellent wines accompanied by distinguished traditional and creative cuisine in unsurpassable surroundings, with the added advantage of a singularly varied choice of accommodation.

The Tenerife Wine Route is designed for those who want to discover and enjoy new experiences, either by exploring for themselves or in the company of qualified personnel who will help to make the most of the opportunity and make the stay or visit an unforgettable encounter.