La Geria 
La Geria - Overview:
La Geria is the vineyard of Lanzarote. The wine valley of La Geria has been declared a 'Protected Area' and is Lanzarote's main wine-growing region, occupying about 52sq.km, stretching from Masdache to Uga and right up to the volcanic slopes. This area produces most of Lanzarotes excellent wines, of which 75 per cent are made from the Malvasia grape, one of the oldest known grape varieties.
Best known as a honey-coloured, very sweet wine with a rich flavour, Malvasian wine was praised by Shakespeare hundreds of years ago. Today the Malvasia grape produces a wide variety of quality whites including red and rose wines, from very sweet to very dry. Located at the edge of Lanzarote's badlands and covered with black volcanic ash, the vineyards of La Geria valley look like they have been transplanted here from another planet. The island's inhabitants discovered an indigenous way of cultivating vines on this arid and hostile land. The unique method of cultivation that gives this region itss unique appearance is known as 'enarenado natural'. The farmers dug more than 10,000 funnel-shaped hollows into the thick layers of picon, planted the vines, only one vine per hollow, filled them with soil and poured thick layers of picon over it.
Despite Lanzarote's predominantly arid climate, the picon layer is able to trap enough moisture from the Trade Winds to feed the vines. The night's dew forms on the surface and is absorbed and retained by the porous volcanic rock. During the day, the surface is all that is exposed to the sun, and the strong rays do not penetrate the soil. The collected dew feeds the plants in the Canarian sunshine. In order to protect the vines from wind and drying out, the villages built low, semi-circular walls around them.
This unique cultivation method results in a prosperous wine industry, renowned for excellent wines, which can be sampled and purchased in a number of local winegrowers bodegas.
Apart from its extensive rows of horseshoe-like shaped walls, for which the valley of La Geria has become quite a popular tourist attraction, it also has another gigantic piece of landscape art, intentionally created by Cesar Manrique.
The protected area of La Geria comprises the centre of the island, which is home to the villages of Tinajo, Yaiza, Tias, San Bartolome and Teguise. Its local population proudly retain their traditional agricultural heritage.
La Geria - Out and about:
La geria is a fabulous base from which to explore this fascinating region and it offers ideal terrain for walking and cycling. Of special note are Las Calderas de Guardilama, Montana Chupadero, Montana Blanca and Guatisea, amongst others. This almost 'lunar landscape' is covered with black lava and malpais (rock formed from the lavastreams).
There is a wine museum at El Grifo, one of the many bodegas in El Geria, where you can see traditional tools for winemaking and of course you can taste the wine.
La Geria - Our holiday accommodation and service:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged sophisticated holiday destinations in Lanzarote, including La Geria. Holiday villas, apartments and hotels in beautiful coastal and rural locations. Privately owned villas, apartments and villas with pools, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled Lanzarote.
Additionally, all of the Canary Islands are ideal for a spot of winter sun. So if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling, trekking, exploring Lanzarote's volcanoes in the Timanfaya Natural Park, or simply sunbathing and relaxing on fabulous beaches, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with Canaries flights to Lanzarote, ferry travel and island car hire.
