From almond trees to vines
When we originally bought the property, there were no vines planted in the fields - so we started from scratch. Most of the fields were covered with old and fragile almond trees, and during the process of preparing the soil we removed more than 5.000 old and dying trees (all of which were already heading towards Mother Nature’s Eternal Fields of Bounty anyway!). In March 2018, the first 21 hectares of vines were planted, and in 2020 we planted yet another 5 hectares, bringing the total area of our vineyard to today’s 26 hectares. Through this process we have given our fields a new lease on life.
Founding principles
Our vineyards are the essential foundation for making outstanding wines. We have deliberately chosen the best soil and terroir on Mallorca, selected the best vine-plants and picked grape varieties best suited for the environment. We have prepared the soil to perfection, used the optimal planting pattern, used “below the surface” irrigation systems – in essence, we have done everything possible to optimise the growth conditions for our vines.
Maintenance of the vineyards
The maintenance of our vineyards is also incredibly important to us. We have our own machinery and our own skilled and experienced staff, who nurses the vineyards and ensures the best conditions for the plants every day. Only the plowing of the fields is done with machinery - everything else is done by hand, a choice we have made to once again ensure that we grow only the best possible grapes.
As the saying goes: “You can never make a better wine than the potential of your grapes allows for”. That is why the most important work for a winery happens in the vineyards by carefully nursing the plants and the grapes.
Sustainability and organic production
It is equally important for us to take care of our precious planet and to reduce our emission of CO2 as much as possible. To achieve this, we do not use chemicals in our wine production, and we work in a fully organic and highly sustainable way in general in all areas of the entire project.
It helps that we believe that an organic production without the use of chemicals also produces better wines.
The Soil
The soil at Binivista is one of the key components in fulfilling our goal of making some of the greatest wines from Mallorca. Our vines dig their roots deeply into a perfect blend of water retaining red clay and lots and lots of limestone. The topsoil ranges in depth from 30cm to 2 meters and the limestone bedrock below and the fragments of it that slowly surfaces and mixes with the clay gives us a perfect acidity and freshness. When you look at the pictures below you will see a part of the vineyards that look lighter than the other. This part has more limestone rocks in the surface than the darker and more reddish part where the roots need to dig deeper to get in contact with the limestone.
The Water and the Well
We are gifted with a well with enough naturally available water for both winemaking and for irrigation when needed. We use the irrigation very little and only when needed to ensure optimal balance for the plants and to avoid stress. We decided to invest in a far more expensive subsoil-irrigation system for several reasons. First and foremost we limit the problems with fungal diseases by lowering the humidity in the surface. Secondly, the roots are never encouraged to seek towards the surface this way, but always downwards to reach the water stored in the lower laying layers of soil.
We work according to a clever technique known as “partial root drying”, whereby the roots of the vine are irrigated on one side only, the other side remaining dry. The dry roots send a chemical message to the plant to shut down because of hydric stress, so it switches its energy into fruit growth rather than the production of vegetation. But the wet side of the roots keeps supplying water, which goes straight into the development of the grapes.
The control of moisture in the vineyard soil is undoubtedly a useful way of manipulation the growth of the vine and the production of quality grapes.
Planting
When we prepared our land for planting we did it in two different ways out of curiosity and to learn. On one part we decided to turn the soil entirely with a plow to 1 meters depth and remove all bigger rocks, but leaving all the smaller limestone fragments. This is the part that looks whiter on the pictures as a lot of (white) limestone rocks are in the surface. On another part, the darker, more reddish looking one, we decided to only work the soil “cutting” it in a criss-cross pattern to open it, but not turning it completely around. This was done to maintain the natural life in the soil and the biodiversity. We see today that the least worked part is providing more optimal conditions for our organically farmed vines, so the learning lesson paid off well! The more thoroughly worked plots are regaining their natural balance quickly however, but they gave a more vigorous and less balanced groth the first year and also needed more fertilisation than the less worked plots.
We also see small differences from plot to plot as the vines grow bigger and this is a fascinating thing and something we study closely in order to adapt our farming techniques optimally to each individual plot.
Our Vines
We decided to use low yielding clones for all grape varieties to guarantee a balanced and healthy growth of the vines and a naturally optimal amount of grapes. By letting the plant itself limiting the amount of grapes it carries, the quality of these is naturally higher and the balance between physical and phenolic ripeness ideal and they follow each other through the ripening period.
All our vines, except for the Syrah is planted on Richter 110 rootstock as this is best adapted to our soil types, and again provide less vigorous and more balanced growth. The Syrah was grafted on B41 as it regulates vigour perfectly for this variety inducing rapid flowering, and providing evenly ripened fruit.
Our Grapes
We have planted 12 different varieties of grapes in our vineyard, mixing local sorts with the best from around the world: Callet, Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Manto Negro, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Giró Ros and Gorgollasa.
We have chosen these specific grapes first and foremost as be believe that we can produce outstanding wines from these on our land and terroir, but several of these were also chosen out due to a healthy dose of curiosity. Another key factor behind the choice of exactly these varieties was a burning wish to have a fully unique, authentic and personal selection of grape varieties that truly allow us to let all our hard work on perfecting the work in the vineyards directly translate into the finished wines. We wanted to create the perfect puzzle of fruit, beauty and structure; components that together creates great wines.
The Grapes
REDS
Pinot Noir
The famous “primadonna” amongst grape varieties and usually not planted in warm climates as ours. So why? Well; we simply love Pinot Noir AND believe that with the high limestone content of our soils and perfectionist vineyards work can make some beautiful and unique Mallorquin style Pinots!
Grenache
What’s not to like about Grenache? Juicy, bright red fruit, great acidity and fantastic for blending with other varieties. We use our Grenache both for rosé and red wines, alone and in blends.
Syrah
We all need a bit of spice in life! Our Syrah adds just that to our blends with it’s liquorice and earthy notes plus deep dark polished fruit and great backbone.
Manto Negro
The king of autochthonous Mallorquin grapes; unless you ask Callet below who will want to claim that throne too! It’s the most widely planted indigenous variety on the island and believed to be a half-sibling to Callet. We already now see great results with Manto Negro and can only dream of what the future will bring.
Callet
Callet produces red-fruit and floral driven wines wines of pale color intensity and lower tannins than Manto Negro. However, it ripens slightly later and thus retains marginally higher levels of acidity and achieves phenolic ripeness at lower levels of alcohol, a key asset in our warm island climate. Callet is probably the red variety we are most excited about and we have great expectations for how these vines will develop in the future. The plants are still young and need some years to fully show their vast potential.
Merlot
Our beloved blending component for our red blends with its velvety tannis and intensely juicy delicious red berry fruit. Merlot adds in that little sexiness we all love and need sometimes!
Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Cabernet helps us adding lots of structured tannins, spice and backbone into our reds when and where needed. (Just as bonus info: Its “sister” variety Cabernet Franc is somewhat similar, but works more on the spicy, herbal notes).
Gorgollassa
Another endangered native Mallorquin variety that we wanted to give a new home. It’s one of our latest ripening varieties and usually a great component for our rosé with it’s fresh red strawberry like fruit, soft tannins and moderate alcohol.
WHITES
Giro Ros
The star of our native white varieties! Giró Ros had become practically extinct on the island, but is generating a lot of excitement recently amongst fellow winemakers that, just like we, believe that it has great potential.
Sauvignon Blanc
Hated by many, loved by many, in particularly by us! We believe that Sauvignon Blanc just needs a bit more sun and relaxed island life to bring out it’s charm and winning personality! Move over haters!… Welcome a juicy, fruity, fresh and RIPE style of Sauvignon Blanc that will only make you smile.
Viognier
The white Queen of the Rhône Valley! We have a long-lasting love affair with these majestic and well ageing whites from the Rhône so want to create a new home for this exciting white variety with it’s lush tropical fruit and great backbone.
Chardonnay
Why not? Chardonnay is planted almost everywhere in the world and for a reason. It blends beautifully with our other white varieties and provides a great base with its limestone loving acidity and smooth yellow fruit.