A Winery Accustomed to Awards
Behind the Papaíno label lies Miguel Enrique Cabrera Viera, a dedicated vintner who began producing wine in 2000. He embraced his family’s legacy on the estate of El Sordo in Tetir. The name of the wine pays tribute to his great-grandfather, «Papaíno», a man who emigrated to Cuba and returned to Fuerteventura marked by the storms he faced on his journey. The label, adorned with the image of a donkey, evokes memories of traditional terracing, the island’s agricultural practices, and the resurgence of subsistence farming that has now transformed into thriving vineyards.
The Art of Cultivation
Gavias El Sordo specializes in the cultivation of ancient varieties of malvasía volcánica, moscatel, and hoja moral under conditions deemed «heroic». These vines grow on their own roots, often without irrigation, in a landscape characterized by its lack of elevation, proximity to the Sahara, and abundant sunshine. This unique terroir poses both challenges and opportunities, setting the stage for distinctive wine profiles. Alongside Conatvs, it stands as one of the pioneering wineries of Fuerteventura to bottle under the DOP Islas Canarias – Canary Wine designation, ensuring that the quality of their wine not only preserves but also highlights the region’s rich viticultural heritage.
Recent Accolades and Recognition
The recent trajectory of Papaíno is a testament to its quality, accumulating prestigious recognitions over the years. In October 2024, its Papaíno Malvasía Volcánica 2023 was crowned the best wine at the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes held in Sarre, Italy. It scored an impressive 97.33 out of 100 from over a thousand wine references across 35 countries. This accolade was complemented by additional awards, including Cervim Originale and Vinofed. In February 2025, the winery achieved the highest recognition, the Gran Oro, at the national competition VinEspaña, and in April, Papaíno collected multiple medals at the Certamen Internacional CINVE 2026.
The Dual Wines of Tetir
Currently, the winery offers two distinguished labels: the acclaimed Papaíno Malvasía Volcánica and the recently awarded Papaíno Jallos, which took home accolades in Agrocanarias. Both wines are the result of a careful and artisanal harvest; in the latest campaign, they pressed 5,000 kilos of grapes. This project harmoniously blends the tradition of «ida y vuelta» varietals with an increasing emphasis on modernizing the production process, ensuring that each bottle encapsulates a unique story and a connection to its roots.
