Viñátigo Listán Blanco de Canarias 2025

For decades, Juan Jesús Méndez has been the driving force behind the Canary Islands' grape revival, tracking down and rescuing varieties that were nearly lost. Viñátigo's wines are his living archive.

Picture a windswept vineyard at 500 metres in the highlands of Icod de los Vinos and La Guancha, in the north of Tenerife. The Atlantic whispers to the vines. The shadow of the Teide volcano looms. This is where Juan Jesús, a fourth-generation winemaker, works his magic. His Listán Blanco is a living relic, a grape brought by Andalusian settlers in the 1700s, now thriving in volcanic soil.

The vines grow on parrales, ancient trellises passed down from Portuguese settlers, twisting and climbing across the dramatic slopes. The wine crackles with energy. Salty, herbal. It smells like wild fennel tangled with sun-warmed fig leaves, a dusting of almond skin, and that unmistakable volcanic grip. 

Bright, razor sharp with acidity. This is the wine you want with charred octopus, wrinkled Canarian potatoes, and a reckless drizzle of mojo verde. Drink it with a body of water in view.