Bodega El Grifo celebrated its 250th anniversary this Friday morning in Lanzarote. This space, located in the heart of La Geria, marks a quarter of a millennium of a history that unites wine with culture and landscape.
To celebrate this anniversary, El Grifo has invited political representatives from different institutions. Among them, the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Luis Planas Puchades, has traveled to the island of Lanzarote. Representing the Government of the Canary Islands, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Alejandro Narváez Quintero Castañeda, has also traveled to the island, and representing the City Council of San Bartolomé, the mayor Isidro Pérez.
During the event, which began this Friday, October 31st at 12:00 in the morning, homage was paid to the generations of winegrowers who have made this legacy possible. In addition, a new stage was shared for this winery from Lanzarote, marked by innovation, sustainability, and culture.
A plaza, a commemorative wine, and a celebration in Tenerife
Bodegas El Grifo, established since 1775 as one of the oldest in Spain, has commemorated its anniversary with a series of outstanding events. This emblematic place began the celebrations with the work Under the Volcano, created by the sculptor Ildefonso Aguilar specifically for the winery's private collection. This artistic piece takes direct inspiration from the design on the label of the commemorative wine Malvasía Lías 2018.
During that presentation, the mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez Martín, publicly praised "the courage" demonstrated by El Grifo over the centuries and acknowledged the fundamental role played by local winegrowers. For his part, Juan José Otamendi, co-owner of the winery, reaffirmed the firm commitment to sustainable development and traditional viticulture in Lanzarote.
In parallel to the activities in Lanzarote, a formal event was organized in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, specifically at the Iberostar Heritage Gran Mencey Hotel. The event brought together leading figures from the regional political, business, and wine sectors.
Within the program, the special edition entitled Malvasía Volcánica sobre Lías 250 Aniversario (2018 vintage) was officially presented. This unique wine has an aging process that includes 28 months on lees and an additional rest in the bottle for four years. It is thus a tangible tribute to the fusion between tradition and innovation.
As an integral part of the commemorative program, the San Bartolomé City Council held an official tribute by renaming a local public square with the name Bodegas El Grifo. During this ceremony, a plaque was unveiled commemorating this uninterrupted quarter of a century dedicated to the cultivation and production of wine.
Historical Evolution and Recent Achievements Bodegas El Grifo has maintained constant activity since its founding exactly 250 years ago. It has been a pioneer in becoming the first Spanish wine company to market bottled wine directly to the final consumer. It currently leads innovative projects such as Vendimia de Invierno (Winter Harvest), an initiative aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on local vineyards.
Throughout its trajectory, it has received numerous prestigious international awards, including Mundus Vini (Germany), Bacchus (Spain), Decanter (United Kingdom), and Berliner Wine Trophy (Germany). It was also recently awarded the Canarias 2025 Prize for Tourist Excellence for its relevant contribution to the tourism sector linked to wine.