Tomeu Llabrés is a “viticultor en miniatura”. His family grew grapes on the island for at least six generations. He learned about the local varieties from his parents and grandparents who still grew them on their traditional polycultural farms. After studies on the mainland and work with another visionary winemaker in Alvaro Palacios in Priorat, Tomeu returned to the island with an eye on starting his own cellar with the express goal of preserving the traditional grapes and traditions of the island. With the support of the percolating food scene, Mallorcan chefs and other farmers looking for ways to preserve the local character and ingredients of the island, he began with Mantonegro grapes from his grandfather’s vineyard and produced just 700 bottles of wine in a low-input, old-fashioned way. The result was promising enough that in 2012, he was able to start Ca’n Verdura in an old auto garage in Binissalem, a village once considered the heart of Mallorcan wine country. He works with only native varieties like Callet, Moll, and in particular Mantonegro. He makes no additions, subtractions, or corrections to the wines and encourages biodiversity in the vineyards, with the aim of producing a purely local style of wine, with no easy reference point to any international examples.

The Wine
Blackberry tar, pie cherries, orange zest. Palate is full bodied, rhone like, black cherries and oranges. Less soil than expected. Full body, finishes with fruit and zest. Full bodied overall. juicy.