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Markets and street markets in Costa Adeje: complete updated guide
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Culture
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Tenerife has six Protected Designations of Origin (DO) and a winemaking tradition spanning over 500 years. Its vineyards grow at altitudes between 300 and 1,600m, reaching some of the highest elevations in Europe and producing volcanic wines that are unique in the world.
The island was one of the main wine exporters to the United Kingdom in the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing fame to the celebrated Canary Wine mentioned by Shakespeare in his works. This guide brings together the essential DOs, the most renowned wineries open for visits, and tips for planning a wine tourism route.
If you are combining wine tourism with the rest of your trip, use our guides on what to see in the north of Tenerife and what to see in the south, as the wineries are spread all over the island.
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By Mar Bauza
Digital marketing specialist with a passion for travel, writing, and discovering what makes every destination unique.
Culture
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| DO | Area | Characteristics | Regional emblem |
| DO Tacoronte-Acentejo | Northeast (Tacoronte, La Matanza, El Sauzal, Puerto de la Cruz) | The oldest; red wines on volcanic soil | Listán Negro, Negramoll |
| DO Valle de La Orotava | North (La Orotava, Los Realejos, Santa Úrsula) | Vineyards in braided cordon, a technique unique in the world | Listán Negro, Listán Blanco |
| DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora | Northwest (Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Guía de Isora) | Vineyards on steep slopes | Listán Negro, Listán Blanco, Malvasía |
| DO Valle de Güímar | Southeast (Güímar, Arafo, Candelaria) | Fresh and fruity white wines | Listán blanco, Moscatel |
| DO Abona | South (Vilaflor, San Miguel, Granadilla) | Altitude (up to 1,600m), mineral white wines | Listán Blanco, Malvasía |
| DO Islas Canarias | Regional scope (headquarters and many wineries in Tenerife) | Created to boost the international Canary Wine brand | Listán Negro, Listán Blanco and Malvasía. |
Tacoronte-Acentejo was the first DO of the archipelago (1992) and remains the one with the highest volume. Its vineyards extend across the northeast of the island, on volcanic soil and at altitudes between 100 and 800m. Its young red wines made from Listán Negro and Negramoll are the hallmark of the house: fresh, light, with an aroma of red fruits. The DO Tacoronte-Acentejo Regulatory Council constantly updates the list of member wineries that allow technical visits.
Here is a list of the most outstanding ones:
The Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora proposes the Entre viñas y nubes experience, one of the most exclusive wine tourism proposals in Tenerife. The activity combines a private helicopter flight over the island's volcanic landscapes with a visit to Bodegas Monje, in the DO Tacoronte-Acentejo. The experience is completed with a tasting of local wines and Canarian gastronomy, offering a dual perspective of the territory: from the air and among the vineyards.
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The Valle de La Orotava preserves a technique unique in the world: the Braided Cordon training system, in which the vine shoots are intertwined to form cords up to 15m long. It is a spectacular sight and is protected as Agricultural Heritage. The wineries that use this technique produce red wines from Listán Negro and Listán Blanco.
From the Meliá Costa Atlantis or the Sol Puerto de la Cruz, the wineries in the Valle de La Orotava are a 15-30 minute drive away.
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The DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora covers the northwest of the island, with viticulture characterised by crops on slopes of up to 45º and altitudes between 100 and 1,400m. The result? Exquisite dry and fruity white wines of great finesse, generally of the Malvasía variety.
From Hacienda del Conde, in Buenavista del Norte, several DO wineries are a 15-25 minute drive away, an ideal opportunity to combine wine culture with the discovery of some of the most charming villages in the north of Tenerife, such as Garachico and Icod de los Vinos
The DO Valle de Güímar covers the southeast of Tenerife, extending along a volcanic ridge that receives the humidity of the trade winds. Its vineyards climb from the coast to more than 1,400 metres in altitude on soils rich in volcanic ash. This combination produces white wines made from Listán Blanco and Moscatel that stand out for their floral air, vibrant acidity and a markedly saline taste, as well as very light and fruity Listán Negro red wines.
An area less frequented by tourists, good for those looking for authentic wine tourism without the crowds.
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The DO Abona is the designation for the south and southwest of Tenerife, with vineyards at record altitudes reaching 1,600m, placing them among the highest in Europe. Vilaflor (the highest municipality in Spain at 1,400m) is the epicentre of the area. This arid landscape gives rise to mineral white wines made from Listán Blanco, Marmajuelo and Malvasía.
From the Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora or hotels in the tourist south, the wineries in Vilaflor are a 40-50 minute drive away via the TF-21.
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The DOP Islas Canarias (known commercially in international markets under the brand Canary Wine) was created to unify the potential of the entire archipelago and compete in the global market. It is the preferred DO for the most avant-garde oenologists to create estate wines, experimental productions and limited series with indigenous grapes.
As it is not linked to a single physical region, you will find wineries attached to this designation spread all over the geography of Tenerife.
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The vast majority of Tenerife wineries require a mandatory prior reservation managed through their websites at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Standard experiences last between 1 hour and a half and 2 hours, and include a guided tour of the vineyards, an explanation of the barrel area and a guided tasting of 3 or 4 of the house wines.
To organise your days, the official Enoturismo de Tenerife website offers an updated directory with maps, direct contacts and recommended routes by region.
From Puerto de la Cruz and the north
The best base for wine tourism. You are 15-30 minutes away from the three northern DOs: Tacoronte-Acentejo, Valle de La Orotava, Ycoden-Daute-Isora. A perfect route to dedicate a full day to.
The DO Abona, in Vilaflor, is only 45 minutes away. Thanks to the Island Ring tunnel, it is also possible to reach the DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora in about 40 minutes, while the wineries in the north are approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away.
The DO Tacoronte-Acentejo is only 20-30 minutes away and the DO Valle de Güímar about 30 minutes away. An ideal location for those who prefer to explore the island away from the crowds.
To explore the DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora, there is no better starting point than Buenavista del Norte. From Hacienda del Conde, the wineries in the northwest of Tenerife are practically just around the corner.
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| Season | Advantages | Things to consider |
| Harvest (August-October) | See the harvest, active winery atmosphere | Book 3-4 weeks in advance |
| Spring (March-May) | Vineyards budding, mild days | Some varieties not yet bottled |
| Winter (November-February) | Pruning and calm in the winery, quiet tasting | Shorter days, plan for half a day |
| Summer (June-August) | Tourist atmosphere, events in large wineries | Intense heat at midday |
The harvest (end of August to October, depending on the area and altitude) is the most educational time, but also the most in-demand. I recommend booking at least 1 month in advance.
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