Borja Pérez | Tenerife

Borja Pérez is a rising star of the Canary Island wine scene. A former racing car mechanic, Borja inherited the family business in 2011 and decided to bottle his own wine rather than sell off the fruit. He set about refocusing on local varieties like Listan Blanco, Listan Negro, Marmajuelo, Vijariego Negro and Baboso Negro by restoring old ungrafted vineyards back to full health and establishing new sites – work he is still engaged in today. In that pursuit, Borja has developed a reputation as one of the best viticulturists in the Canaries.

Situated in the richly biodiverse DO appellation Ycoden-Daute-Isora in Tenerife’s north west, the volcanic, maritime vineyards here range from low coastal elevations to around 800m on average, with the most extreme sites climbing as high as 1,400m. Proximity to the Atlantic and its constant cooling winds and natural humidity conspire to produce a very exciting, yet challenging, climate for wine production.

The whites are savoury, mineral driven, and a hint of that struck match aroma one can enjoy in top Burgundy. The reds, wild thyme, meaty. The volcanic energy is at the heart of these incredible range of wines. Borja's winemaking philosophy is to bottle wines that transport the drinker to Tenerife, to its volcanic soils and native grape varieties, without chemical additives or corrections. He uses only a small amount of sulphur at bottling and avoids industrial yeasts, enzymes, and other additives. He works with high-quality, used barrels in large formats to ensure the oak never overpowers the wine. The winemaking process is generally very similar across the board with the focus is on good-quality grapes and delicate work in the winery, using used French oak barrels and large volumes.

For spicy, energetic wines with a deep sense of minerality and authenticity, the Borja Perez wines are just the ticket.