Tajinaste Wineries

Bodegas Tajinaste: Tradition and excellence in Tenerife

Agustín Farráis is the third generation of winemakers to lead Bodegas Tajinaste. His career took him to Bordeaux and Ribera del Duero, where he worked for legendary winemaker Mariano García at Bodegas Mauro. However, his true passion was always at home: the Canary Islands. After years of apprenticeship, he returned to Tenerife to continue the family tradition and craft exceptional wines in this unique volcanic terroir.

The oldest Tajinaste vineyards, planted in 1914, are located in the La Orotava Valley in northern Tenerife. The winery takes its name from the tajinaste (Echium wildpretii), a plant native to the island. His grandparents bought their first vineyard, "El Ratiño," in 1939 and expanded their cultivation using the area's traditional system: the Cordón Trenzado.

The Art of Braided Cordon

The volcanic soils of the Canary Islands are incredibly fertile, which can lead to excessive growth in vines. To mitigate this vigor, early winegrowers developed the Cordón Trenzado (Braided Cordon), a method that allows vines to be spread out into long structures, some as high as 5 to 8 meters. This technique not only helps control growth but also facilitates cultivation on sloping terrain.

Furthermore, the Braided Cord has a unique advantage: during the winter, the branches can be moved to clear the ground and allow for the planting of other vegetables, optimizing land use in this volcanic environment.

A Mission of Preservation and Sustainability

At Bodegas Tajinaste, tradition goes hand in hand with respect for the environment. Their mission is to preserve and improve the environment through:

• Preservation of traditional viticulture, maintaining unique cultivation systems such as the Cordón Trenzado.

• Rescuing abandoned vineyards, giving them a new life through replanting.

• Collaboration with nearly 100 winegrowers, promoting sustainable viticulture that values the landscape and benefits future generations.

Each bottle of Tajinaste is a tribute to the history, passion, and volcanic terroir of Tenerife.