Among the diverse historical wineries that still remain in the region of Mount Lentiscal and at the foothills of the Bandama Peak, there is one that stands out. It is surrounded by volcanic ash hillsides with vines, shaped in form of an amphitheater around a rocky crag which has, during rainy winters, water flowing all over it.

The history of this winery has been lost over time, even though the press of its former press room – not a screw press – is dated from the beginning of the mid-twentieth century

It is the winery Los Lirios, formerly known as the winery Los Naranjo, named like the owner from the mid-twentieth century, Juan Naranjo. Before that, the history of this winery has been lost over time, even though the press of its former press room – not a screw press – is dated from the beginning of the same century. In 1984, Antonio Saavedra bought the country house Los Lirios and the Naranjo winery that is part of it and started once again to produce the traditional “vino del Monte” (mountain wine).

He renovated and modernized the crops and production more purposefully in 2003, when Carlos Díaz-Reixa got involved in the wine production and started to manage his father-in-law’s estate full-time. He bought a few books, attended classes in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, and with enthusiasm and interest he took care of producing wines of personal and autodidactic investment.

With respect to Los Lirios estate, its scenery of volcanic ash hillsides attracts one’s attention

And things went well. He was successful and achieved awards at different insular tasting events and even a silver medal at the regional La Alhóndiga competition (in Tenerife) with his traditional 2010 red (Listán negro and Castellana grapes from old vines). In 2013 he innovated by producing red Tocón from foreign varieties adapted to the volcanic soil and to the influence of the trade winds, made from Syrah, Merlot and Tempranillo grapes, in addition to Castellana negra.

With respect to Los Lirios estate, its scenery of “picón” hillsides (that is how the volcanic ash that covers the ground and plays an important role in farming is called in Gran Canaria), which they identify by plots, some further inclined (and very difficult to work on!), others more level attracts one’s attention. Thus, there is one they call specifically La Ladera (The Hillside) with traditional vine arbor cultivation of Listán negro; Morrete, with Gual, Vijariego also traditionally cultivated right above the ground, surrounded by Castellana and Babosa; La Cañada’s terrain is more level with Vijariego negro plantations; in Tocón we can find Syrah, Merlot and Tempranillo on trellises; close to the crag, Albillo del Monte and Malvasia are located; a little further there are new plantations of Syrah and Petit verdeau…

■ Saramema SL Calle Cuesta de Los Lirios, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria), Islas Canarias (España). Phone number: (34) 928 356720 ell phone: (34) 620 255230 Email: carlos@saramema.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodega.loslirios ● Capacity: 30.000 liters. ● Average production: 15.000 bottles/year.