Taro Vinícola covers five hectares in the heart of the Canary Islands. It was founded in 2018 by Pablo Matallana, a young and passionate winemaker determined to showcase the islands’ native grape varieties and unique terroir. The name “Taro” comes from the small stone shelters found in the vineyards, where wine growers shield themselves from the sun. Grapevines face particularly harsh conditions here, with only 18 days of rain a year. They must push their roots deep into the volcanic soil to reach water hidden more than a metre beneath the rock. The vines are cultivated organically and often planted in small hollows to shield them from the intense heat. After harvesting the grapes entirely by hand, low-intervention vinification methods are used to craft the wine with minimum inputs and sulfites.

A staple grape variety in Andalusia, Listan Blanco is renowned for being particularly vigorous, productive and drought-resistant. Growing on one metre thick volcanic ash soils in the heart of an arid, windy landscape, this grape variety benefits from organic and biodynamic cultivation methods. Chemical-free viticulture and manual labour ensure that the grapes draw all the resources they need from the soil naturally. The old vines are harvested by hand before undergoing long macerations in whole clusters, punctuated by several pump overs. In the cellar, 13 days of spontaneous fermentation occur triggered by the natural yeasts present in the grapes. Lastly, the wine rests on its lees for nine months. Intense, the cuvée reveals a perfect balance on the palate thanks to sun-drenched fruit aromas enhanced by fine acidity. The gourmet ensemble leads to a soft, lingering finish.