"Positioning the Vino de la Tierra Mallorca quality brand as a benchmark for the wine sector in the Balearic Islands has been the goal of recent years, and we must continue working towards this." The president of the Vino de la Tierra Mallorca Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Mateu Morro, conveyed this message to attendees at the General Assembly held this Friday in Son Mesquida to mark Winegrower's Day. The assembly was attended by around one hundred representatives from the sector. He also mentioned the need to "win the battle for local consumption. In Mallorca, only 3 out of every 10 wines consumed are produced on the island. Therefore, we must work on direct promotion to expand this consumption, gain recognition for our grape varieties, and help increase the number of winegrowers and wineries." Sources from the Vino de la Tierra Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) explain that this is why the sector welcomes the latest authorized local grape varieties, which can now be marketed in 2026: Víbora, Girón Negro, and Acicate de Gallo. With these additions, Vino de la Tierra Mallorca now protects eight local grape varieties and continues working to incorporate more. On a technical level, 2026 will be marked by the need to address challenges such as water scarcity in Mallorca and how to combat pests and diseases that severely affect the vineyards. Work will also continue on differentiating Mallorcan wines for consumers by creating smaller geographical units—different zones within the PGI itself—that highlight the richness and diversity of our winemaking region. Winegrower's Day

All of this took place within the framework of Winegrower's Day, organized by Vino de la Tierra Mallorca, now in its fourth edition. More than 120 winegrowers gathered at the Son Mesquidassa estate in Felanitx to take stock, outline new lines of work, and recognize the work carried out over many years by prominent members of the sector. In addition to the president, Vice President Bartomeu Cifre and Manager Marina Vera attended, representing the new management team of the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). During the Annual General Meeting, Mateu Morro reviewed the past year and highlighted the consolidation of events such as the Palma Grape Wine Fest, which last November brought together up to 30,000 people in Parc de la Mar, as well as initiatives like the young, family-friendly, and local "Game of the Sticks" (Juego de las Vares), a fun activity for young people. Currently, the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) comprises 84 wineries and 325 winegrowers, representing 65% of the Balearic Islands' wine sector, both in production and marketing. This latest harvest yielded 5,312,060 kilos of grapes, 6% more than the previous year. Ramon Alabern, winner of the 2026 Vinyòvol Award

Following the Assembly, it was time for the awards ceremony, now attended by the institutional representatives present, including the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, and the Directors General, Joan Llabrés and Fernando Fernández. The Vinyòvol 2026 award, created this year by the artist Maria Carbonero, was presented to Ramon Alabern Montis, who attended the event accompanied by his daughter, Isabel Alabern, and the employees of his family's winery in Son Puig.

]]>

Vineyards and almond trees, two emblematic crops of the Balearic Islands, could see their future jeopardized in the medium term if temperatures continue to rise. This warning came yesterday from biologist and professor at the University of the Balearic Islands, Jaume Vadell, during his address to the Parliament's Commission on Climate Change in Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. According to Vadell, both species "suffer" from high temperatures and depend on a specific number of chill hours to complete their productive cycle. "The reduction of these hours is key for woody crops. Although heat may initially stimulate growth, yields decrease when a certain threshold is exceeded," he cautioned. For this reason, he proposed rethinking the agricultural zoning for these crops. The scientist also pointed out that other horticultural crops, such as tomatoes, melons, and watermelons, could be jeopardized if the current trend of rising temperatures persists. In contrast, crops like corn or alfalfa tolerate the heat better, although "above 36 or 37 degrees Celsius, growth is also limited." Regarding olive groves and carob trees, Vadell emphasized that they are "more resilient" species with a superior capacity for adaptation.

]]>