Studies of maturation evolution: Dyostem
The Viticultural Development Project , initiated in 2010 and directed by Xabier Kamio (Az3 Oeno) and Dr. Nicolas Bernard (Vivelys), aims to maximize the native varieties of the Lanzarote DO...
INNOVATION
"Change before you have to" Jack Welch
TRADITION AND SCIENCE
At EL GRIFO, innovation means respecting tradition while looking to the future. We are committed to new technologies in the vineyard and winery to better care for the land, optimize resources, and improve the quality of our wines.
Every advancement we make has a single purpose: to continue doing what we love, but in a more sustainable, efficient, and conscious way.
Soil, Roots and Climate: The foundation of the future of Lanzarote wine
Integrated soil-plant-climate analysis of the traditional vineyard of Lanzarote and its implications for sustainability and wine styles in a climate change context
The study is based on direct field observations , root profiles, anatomical root analyses, temperature measurements in leaves, clusters and soil , as well as the estimation of water content at different depths , defining the role of the surface layer of volcanic ash or volcanic rock, especially as a thermal regulator and vector of nighttime water transfer to the underlying agricultural soil, responsible for the retention of usable water and the development of the active root system.
These observations are integrated into the key phenological processes of the grapevine , such as dormancy, dormancy breaking and budbreak, highlighting the importance of temperature and soil water content in root activation, initial vegetative development and the correct formation of yield components.
It is a starting point for obtaining a solid technical basis that interprets the behavior of the extreme vineyard of Lanzarote , identifying its limiting factors, defining the monitoring parameters per campaign and guiding the agronomic decision-making.
Featured Project
WINTER HARVEST PROJECT
In Lanzarote, growing vines is an act of resistance to the wind, drought, and volcanic terrain. But it's also a space for experimentation.
Our Winter Harvest is a pioneering project in the winemaking world that challenges the logic of the traditional harvest calendar, adapting it to the unique climate of Lanzarote.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION PROJECTS
Our team leads research projects that ensure the excellence of each of our wines, always with a deep respect for the land that gives us life:
Climate factors and harvest volume in Lanzarote
Study analyzing the relationship between climatic factors and grape production in Lanzarote between 2002 and 2010, using climatic data from the Tinajo station and production figures from the Lanzarote DO...
Thermal integral and climatic characterization of the EL GRIFO vineyard
Climate is one of the most decisive factors in viticulture, and its influence on grape ripening largely defines the character of each wine. In this study, El Grifo analyzes the...
Malvasía Atlántica-Malvasía Aromatica. Doubts, errors, and some certainties
Malvasia is much more than a variety: it is a thread that weaves together history, commerce, technique and landscape. In his June 2011 essay, “Atlantic Malvasia – Aromatic Malvasia. Doubts,...
Method for assessing the condition of the vineyard - Collaboration with Abadía Retuerta
Our winery continues to advance in the study of the vineyard with a clear premise: to know the vine better in order to care for it more effectively. Along these...
Selection and multiplication of native yeasts
In traditional winemaking, fermentations were natural processes driven by yeasts that occur spontaneously on the grape skins. These endemic yeasts contributed unique nuances that reflected the terroir of each region,...
LIVING SOILS
We care for soil life through practices such as vermicomposting, fostering the vine’s natural fertility and balance.
This natural humus enriches the soil, improves its structure, increases water retention, and helps prevent vine diseases — all in a sustainable way that respects the volcanic environment.
Another key project is the insect hotel, located on our Masdache estate. Built with recycled materials from the winery itself, this refuge promotes natural pest control, enhances vineyard biodiversity, contributes to the pollination of nearby species, and supports the ecological balance of the winegrowing environment.
Regenerating the soil with organic matter: vermicomposting
Respect for the land is one of the cornerstones of El Grifo's philosophy. Within the "Living Soils" project, the winery implements various practices aimed at regenerating the soil and improving...
Biodiversity tour: the insect hotel
Committed to sustainability and biodiversity, at EL GRIFO we have created an insect hotel on our Masdache estate. This refuge, built entirely from recycled materials sourced from the winery itself—pallets,...
Regenerative Viticulture
Regenerative viticulture is an agricultural approach that seeks to restore and improve the soil and ecosystem in vineyard cultivation. It focuses on sustainable practices that promote biodiversity. The techniques used...
Technical team
Elisa Ludeña
Technical Director
Born in Ecuador and raised in Lanzarote since the age of 14, Elisa trained in Tourism and then specialized in Viticulture, beginning her career in 2018. She has worked at several wineries on the island and trained in La Rioja, where she completed a master's degree in Viticulture Technology, Management, and Research. Since 2023, she has led the Oenology department at EL GRIFO.
Committed to sustainability and regenerative viticulture, she leads production in one of Europe's most extreme wine-growing regions, where manual cultivation on volcanic soils defines heroic viticulture.
Her career combines passion, ongoing training, and an innovative vision, consolidating her position as a benchmark in Canarian oenology.
Xabier Kamio
Consulting winemaker
A Basque winemaker with a solid track record in winemaking innovation on the Iberian Peninsula, Xabier Kamio is today a leading technical advisor for wineries throughout Spain and Portugal. A specialist in ripe-fruited red wines, his approach integrates precision viticulture, sustainability, and winery process improvement, always with quality as its central focus.
Since 2022 he has collaborated with EL GRIFO As an external advisor, he actively participates in defining the winery's winemaking style and in R&D projects that connect territory, technology, and sustainability. One of the most notable is the Winter Harvest , a pioneering initiative in Europe that involves bringing forward the vegetative cycle to harvest during the colder months, avoiding the peaks of summer heat and producing wines with greater freshness, balance, and varietal expression.
Their vision is based on a living and collaborative winemaking approach, where technique and sensitivity combine to create wines that respect their origins and connect with those who enjoy them.
Sara Rodriguez
Technician in the oenological department
Born in Fuerteventura and a resident of Lanzarote for almost 20 years, Sara joined EL GRIFO's technical team in 2023, bringing extensive experience in laboratory, viticulture, and technical management.
She began her career in the healthcare field as a Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Technician, but in 2017 she focused her career on the wine industry, training as a Senior Technician in Viticulture and working in grape harvesting at Bodegas Vega de Yuco.
After completing his training, he joined the same winery, where for five years he worked in the laboratory, field supervision, and managed the technical department alongside the winemaker. His profile combines technical knowledge, winery and vineyard experience, and training in quality standards.
Patricia Pacheco
Field technician
Originally from Tinajo, Lanzarote, she grew up in a farming family, where she learned from a young age the value of the land and the effort involved in cultivating it. This connection led her to train in agroecology, later specializing in viticulture.
He completed his internship at Bodega El Grifo, where he began harvesting grapes and, after several seasons, joined the team permanently. Since then, he has integrated his ecological values into every stage of the process, from the field to the winery.
She is especially committed to composting as a way to close the organic matter cycle and return what it offers to the soil. She believes in circular agriculture, where nothing is wasted.
His philosophy: “What the field gives, returns to it.”
