Balearic islands

This DO is located on the Balearic island of Mallorca, belonging to Spain, and was the first DO not located on the mainland. It is named after the city of the same name. The vineyard area totals 400 hectares in the centre of the island, around the communes of Binissalem, Consell, Sancelles, Santa Eugenia and Santa Maria. The soils are limestone on a clay base, the vineyards are located at an altitude of 250 to 300 metres above sea level, and are protected from the strong, humid westerly winds by the Sierra de Tramuntana. The indigenous red variety Mantonegro dominates with about 90% of the area planted, at least 50% of this variety must be contained in the DO wines. The second red variety is Callet, and the most important white variety is Moll (Prensal Blanco). Small-scale experimental plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Macabeo, Monastrell, Moscatel, Parellada and Tempranillo are also to be found. Mass tourism gave viticulture a tremendous boost from the mid-1980’s onwards. The largest wine estate, that of Franja Roja, was founded in 1931 and is owned by the José L. Ferrer family. It has a vineyard area of around 70 hectares, and is considered to be a pioneering producer. Other producers include Mesquida, Bodega Oliver, Bodegas Ribas, Vins Nadal and Vins Taujana - Celler Santa Eugènia.