La Bodega Gavias El Sordo: A Global Winemaker
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Tetir, within the municipality of Puerto del Rosario, La Bodega Gavias El Sordo has recently garnered international acclaim, clinching the first prize at the Mondial de Vins Extrêmes 2024. This prestigious competition is organized by the CERVIM (Centro de Investigación, Estudios, Protección, Coordinación y Valorización de la Viticultura de Montaña) and took place in Sarre, Italy.
Exceptional Recognition
Standing out among over a thousand wines from across the globe, Gavias El Sordo’s Malvasía Volcánica Papaíno achieved an impressive score of 97.33 out of 100, earning it the Gran Premio Cervim 2024. The wine did not just stop at the main award but also bagged two special distinctions: the Premio Cervim Originale—for being produced from ungrafted vines—and the Premio Vinofed for the highest-rated dry wine.
Discovering Papaíno: A Taste of Elegance
Papaíno, a wine made from volcanic Malvasía cultivated in the El Sordo vineyards (Image of the DOP Islas Canarias).
The story behind Papaíno is as captivating as its flavor. Miguel Cabrera, the proud owner of Bodegas Gavias El Sordo, inherited this deep-rooted passion for winemaking from his family. Inspired by his mother’s legacy and his father’s own winery in Yaiza, Miguel embarked on a journey in 2000, ultimately crafting a “balanced, fresh, and elegant wine with intense fruity, floral, herbal, and citrus notes”. The name Papaíno is a tribute to his brave great-grandfather who emigrated to Cuba and later returned to Fuerteventura, leaving an impactful legacy.
The imagery adorning Papaíno’s label, featuring a donkey, symbolizes the dedicated and enduring spirit of Miguel’s faithful work companion.
The El Sordo Vineyard: Cultivating with Care
The vineyard, aptly named El Sordo—a nod to the quietude of its surroundings—is beautifully situated at the base of the Montaña de San Andrés. Here, the bodega cultivates Malvasía grapes alongside Moscatel de Alejandría, brought to the islands by the first colonizers in the 15th century. These traditional methods converge with modern techniques, crafting wines that embody both history and contemporary innovation.
Notably, the unique environment, with its clayey soil at an altitude of 400 meters, suffers both the challenges and benefits of its climate—warm summers and cool winters—merging to create the distinct character of Papaíno.
Celebrating Fuerteventura’s Winemaking Excellence
Gavias El Sordo is the second winery in Fuerteventura to bottle its wines under the Denominación de Origen Protegida Islas Canarias (DOP), following in the distinguished footsteps of Conatvs.
Conatvs and Its Golden Recognition
Fuerteventura’s winemaking reputation was further solidified by Conatvs, another local winery that achieved recognition at the Mondial. Among the 12 awarded gold medals for Canary Islands wines, Conatvs Baboso Negro 2023 stood out.
Conatvs Baboso Negro 2023.
Broadening the Honor Roll
Beyond Gavias El Sordo and Conatvs, the Canaries as a whole exported an impressive 56 medals and five special distinctions at the competition. The event focuses on wines stemming from regions with challenging terrains and climates—defining characteristics of the heroic viticulture landscape.
Among notable achievements, wine producers like Bodega Linaje del Pago and Bodega El Grifo were among the honorees recognized for quality varietals, showcasing the breadth of talent rising from the Canary Islands.
The Achievements of the Canary Islands
The impressive showing at the Mondial de Vins Extrêmes was underscored by the 56 medals, of which 12 were grand golds, awarded from around 300 total accolades distributed by a panel of 50 wine experts. Among the awardees, Bodega Linaje del Pago received the Special Cervim Award, distinguishing it as the most outstanding winery in the country.
Honoring the Spirit of Heroic Viticulture
In tandem with the prestigious wine awards, the International Competition of Heroic Distillates was also held, celebrating spirituous beverages derived from wine. Remarkably, Valle de Güímar Vermut Blanco 2023 and Aguardiente de Orujo de Uva from Bodegas Insulares Tenerife both earned gold medals, exemplifying the diversity and quality of Canarian products.
With support from the Canary Institute of Agro-food Quality, whose role was pivotal in facilitating participation from diverse wineries, the Government of the Canary Islands recognizes the significance of these international accolades. “These awards are essential for our vintners, demonstrating their ability to produce exceptional products under challenging conditions,” stated Narvay Quintero, underscoring the ethos of heroic viticulture that shines through their work.
Viñedos de Bodegas Conatvs, en Lajares.
The Importance of International Recognition
The Mondial de Vins Extrêmes competition is governed by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the Vinofed, ensuring high standards are adhered to. Given this backdrop, the extraordinary quality of this year’s wines meant that around 40 Canary wines, despite reaching gold medal scores, were not awarded due to strict cut-off criteria.
The final decisions by the jury were publicly shared after deliberations at the Etoile du Nord hotel in Sarre. A celebratory awards event is expected to take place in Rome by the end of November, illustrating the ongoing recognition and embrace of Canarian wines on the world stage.
