Yesterday, October 31, 2025 , the year of celebration of our 250th anniversary came to a close with an institutional event held at the winery's estate, presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Luis Planas , accompanied by representatives of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Lanzarote Island Council and the Mayor of San Bartolomé.
A DOUBLE SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION
The day coincided with news that fills us with pride: the recognition of Lanzarote as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the FAO . This designation, awarded on the same day as the event, distinguishes our island for a unique agricultural model, capable of transforming volcanic ash into fertile soil through ingenious traditional techniques such as pits and raised beds.
For all of us at El Grifo , this recognition represents much more than an honorary title: it is confirmation that the efforts of generations of winegrowers and farmers in Lanzarote are today an international example of adaptation, sustainability and respect for the landscape.
For us, who have been cultivating among volcanic ash for 250 years , it has been especially exciting to share this day with those who have kept island agriculture alive, demonstrating that it is possible to unite tradition, landscape and future .
In his address, Minister Luis Planas highlighted that Lanzarote is “a unique example of agriculture” capable of cultivating vineyards, fruit trees, and cereals in one of the driest regions of Europe. This effort, he said, is a double cause for celebration today: the 250th anniversary of El Grifo and the island's designation as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
The minister also emphasized the deep relationship between El Grifo and culture, recalling that our library, one of the most complete in the Canary Islands with more than 5,000 works on wine and agriculture , was inaugurated in 1998 by the poet José Hierro and ratified two years later, on the 225th anniversary of the winery, by the Nobel Prize winner for Literature José Saramago.
Planas also reaffirmed the Spanish Government's commitment to Canary Islands agriculture and the POSEI program, which compensates for the archipelago's unique characteristics and protects the primary sector.
TRIBUTE TO WINE-GROWING FAMILIES
In this closing of the 250th anniversary we wanted, above all, to pay tribute to those who have made it possible for El Grifo to continue living generation after generation: the winegrowing families .
Among them, the Viera family , with four generations dedicated to viticulture, wanted to express their gratitude to our winery for its support and continued commitment to the sector. It was one of the most moving moments of the day and a symbol of the bond that unites our winery with those who work the land.
ART AS A LEGACY
The anniversary has also been a space for art and reflection.
The Lanzarote artist Ildefonso Aguilar , a distinguished disciple of César Manrique , created the painting “Under the Volcano” specifically for this commemoration. Inspired by the tones and textures of La Geria, the piece has been adapted to form the label of our commemorative wine, Malvasía Volcánica Lías 2018 , a wine that embodies the union of tradition, nature, and the artistic sensibility of Lanzarote.
250 YEARS OF VOLCANIC VINEYARD
This event marked the official closing of a whole year of celebrations, meetings and presentations in the Canary Islands, the Peninsula and Europe, designed to explain how a winery founded in 1775 has managed to continue producing wine uninterruptedly in an extreme environment.
During the event, the preservation of the historic vineyard of La Geria was highlighted, as well as the commitment to Malvasía Volcánica as the island's signature grape, the opening of the Wine Museum in the original facilities, and El Grifo's ability to transform its history into wine tourism experiences that attract thousands of visitors each year.
PROPERTY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Brothers Juan José and Fermín Otamendi conveyed their express gratitude to the minister, the island and municipal authorities, and especially to the families of winegrowers who have supplied the winery for generations.
They also wanted to give special recognition to the team at El Grifo , whose daily work and commitment make it possible for the winery to operate every day with the same passion that saw it born two and a half centuries ago.
The speech by Juan José Otamendi , historian and creator of El Grifo 's magnificent library , was one of the most moving moments of the morning. He recounted the history of our winery and the three families that have run it since 1775, the current generation being the longest-serving , with five generations at the helm.
It was a story full of pride and gratitude towards all those who, through their efforts, have allowed this legacy to reach our days.
There was also a tribute to the role of women in the history of El Grifo, with special mention of Manuela García Parrilla and Antonia Rodríguez-Bethencourt , grandmother and mother of the current owners.
Antonia, who died the same year that the commemorative Malvasía Volcánica Lías 2018 wine was bottled, symbolizes the spirit of constancy, sensitivity and deep roots that characterizes our winery.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
During the event, a fragment of the next chapter of Joaquín Gálvez Bauzá, Wineman , dedicated to the wines of Lanzarote, was projected, highlighting the virtues and uniqueness of our Malvasía Volcánica Lías 250 Aniversario .
As a closing, a teaser of the commemorative video for the 250th anniversary was also presented, the final version of which will be available in the coming days on our digital channels.
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Since our founding in 1775 , we have maintained uninterrupted activity that makes us one of the oldest wineries in Spain.
Over the years, we have been pioneers in the marketing of bottled wine , in the recovery of Malvasía Volcánica and, more recently, in projects such as the Winter Harvest , a commitment to adapting to climate change and the sustainability of our environment.
Today we continue to move in that same direction: innovating, protecting the historic vineyard of La Geria, reducing our carbon footprint thanks to the use of renewable energy, and sharing the value of our legacy with thousands of visitors each year.
AN ENDING THAT IS ALSO A NEW BEGINNING
This October 31, 2025 does not represent an end point, but a continuation in our story.
We have celebrated 250 years of work, effort and pride , and we do so looking to the future with the same enthusiasm with which our ancestors planted the first vines under the ash.
Thanks to everyone who has joined us on this anniversary — our visitors, the winegrowers, the institutions and our team — for making it possible for El Grifo to continue to be, after two and a half centuries, a symbol of Lanzarote and of Canarian wine.
