Last night we experienced a very special moment for all of us who are part of EL GRIFO .
To mark our 250th anniversary , we celebrated an institutional event at the Iberostar Heritage Gran Mencey Hotel (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) that brought together great friends from the world of wine, public representatives and professionals from the gastronomy and culture of the Canary Islands.
The event, hosted by Marian Otamendi , a member of our Board of Directors, was a moving journey through the history of this winery, founded in 1775 in La Geria , Lanzarote. Speaking on behalf of the founding family was Fermín Otamendi , co-owner with his brother Juan José Otamendi , who recalled the values that have guided El Grifo for two and a half centuries: perseverance, innovation, and respect for our land.
We had the honor of the presence of the President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, Astrid Pérez ; the Minister of Agriculture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero ; and the Minister of Economic Promotion of the Lanzarote Island Council, Antonia Machín , who highlighted the pioneering role of El Grifo in the winemaking history of the islands.
One of the most anticipated moments was the presentation, by our winemaker Elisa Ludeña , of the commemorative Malvasía Volcánica Lías 2018 – 250th Anniversary Edition . This wine, aged for 28 months on its lees and four years in the bottle, represents the patience, tradition, and innovative spirit that define our approach to winemaking.
Following the official ceremony, attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring some of our most iconic wines — Brut Nature, Malvasía de Fuego, Finca Ramón, Vijariego sobre Lías, Ariana and a 1997 Sweet Volcanic Malvasía — paired with haute cuisine from several of Tenerife's finest restaurants.
Celebrating this anniversary outside of Lanzarote has allowed us to share with all of the Canary Islands the pride of a history that lives on. From El Grifo , we continue to shape the future of Canarian wine, remaining true to our roots and the land that gave us birth.
