Wine in Tenerife is a natural phenomenon in which Bodega Tabares4 from La Matanza plays a key role in contributing to it. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of La Matanza de Acentejo on Tenerife’s northern coast, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the imposing Teide, lies a unique piece of Belgian pride.
Bodega Tabares4 is a vineyard founded by the passionate winegrower Anton Ector from Rummen, Belgian Limburg. He is a testament to how passion, craftsmanship, and the rich volcanic soil blend into an unparalleled story of winemaking.
Anton Ector purchased a modest 1.5-hectare vineyard on the natural plateau of Los Nateros in 2019. In 2020, he produced his first wine, La Vica. Four years later, his estate has expanded to an impressive 4.5 hectares. This growth not only brings more quantity but, more importantly, also quality, with an expansion and diversification of crops.
Rich Soil
The original vineyard of 1.25 hectares was established in 2004, at an altitude of 700 meters, on the west side of the Reventon barranco, the natural barrier between the more humid and misty El Sauzal area and the humid Victoria-Santa Ursula valley. The soil is exceptionally rich, as indicated by the copper-red lava color on the surface, with volcanic, sandy clay deep underground that naturally buffers rainwater. Tabares4 was born in 2020 with the production of its first wine.
Wildfires
The plot is located just 100 meters below the area where chestnut trees grow, as well as the famous Papas Negras (used for papas arrugadas). The underground is crisscrossed with lava tunnels, creating natural water caves. The largest wildfire that ravaged Tenerife from August 15 to 25, 2023, destroying 15,000 hectares of natural land in eleven municipalities, reached just a few hundred meters from Anton Ector’s vineyard and his wife Karina Birkenstock.
Mastery
The Listan Negro, the flagship wine of Bodega Tabares4, perfectly represents Tenerife’s unique terroir. This native grape variety, known for its deep color and complex flavor profile, thrives in the volcanic soil and favorable climate of the island. Ector’s mastery and innovative approach to winemaking are reflected in his Listan Negro, which captures the essence of Tenerife in every bottle.
Vision
But Ector doesn’t stop at traditional methods. Alongside traditional grape cultivation, he has broadened his agricultural horizon by growing avocados, oranges, limes, lemons, and even coffee trees. This rich variety of crops is not just a sign of agricultural diversity but an integral part of Ector’s vision to produce unique wines infused with the aromas of self-grown fruit.
Harmonious Blend
The expansion and diversification of Ector’s estate reflect not only his personal growth as a winemaker but also Tenerife’s potential as a dynamic and versatile wine region. The integration of different crops into the winemaking process is a testament to Ector’s respect for Tenerife’s natural resources. This harmonious blend of man and nature is central to the philosophy of Bodega Tabares4, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. Moreover, Anton and Karina can count on the collaboration of renowned oenologists and winemakers Richard Gutierez de Salamanca-Perez and José Augusto Cabrera-Galva.
Innovating
Bodega Tabares4 is more than a winery. It is a place where tradition and modernity meet, where Tenerife’s rich volcanic soil is transformed into liquid art. Anton Ector, with his Limburg roots deeply planted in Tenerife’s fertile soil, continues to surprise the world with his creative approach to winemaking. His wines are not only a pleasure for the senses but also a tribute to the island. His unique terroir and boundless possibilities are the ingredients that inspire every winemaker to dream of innovation. Wine in Tenerife aims to contribute to this.
Belgian Passion, Dutch Support
Among oenologists, there is often talk of the “soul” of the wine. This elusive essence distinguishes a good wine from a great one. At Bodega Tabares4, that soul is found not only in the soil or the grapes but also in the passion and hard work of Anton Ector and his team. Their dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability makes every bottle of Tabares4 a unique work of art. The deeply rooted tradition of winemaking gets a flavor-enriching update in La Matanza, with a touch of Belgian passion.
Anton and Karina are assisted in their business by Dutchwoman Laura Di Sipio. At 28 years old, hailing from Zeeland, she handles all commercial tasks related to external services, organization, events, tastings, and the Bed & Breakfast activities.
Original Name
The article Wine in Tenerife came about after a meeting with Anton Ector at an exhibition in Santa Cruz, which was also attended by the Consul for the Canary Islands and the Belgian Ambassador to Spain (Madrid). The name of the winery, Tabares4, is the address where grapes become the nectar of the gods. Well-chosen and highly original, it ensures you won’t forget where Anton and Karina’s vineyard is located.
Those who want to know more can enrich themselves HERE.
Read more about ‘Food’ [HERE].
Guy Devos © Photography
Wine in Tenerife ©
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