The award-winning Bodega Es Verger is a small, privately owned and run boutique winery. They have 7 hectares of vineyards on their magical mountain property, and all production is done on site. Originally planted in 1995, the first wines went to market in 2001. As of this writing, they produce approximately 15,000 bottles per year. Their wine is certified organic, and sold primarily to the international market and in fine local restaurants. They produce 3 reds, a rosé, and a very special sweet white.

After we left Celler Son Vives on the North Coast in Banyalbufar, we called Bodega Es Verger to see if they were open – since we had to drive through Esporles anyway to get out of the mountains. Friday night – 17:30 – what are the chances? A man answers the phone “Sure, come on over… I’m here.” And we are off to the next Winery!

Es Verger is situated way up in the Tramuntana hills above Esporles, accessed only by a small, beautiful, and winding road with hidden or invisible street signs. After a few more phone calls – in Spanish of course – we get directions by landmark: “In direction Palma, third right after the plaza, climb, wind, until the big tree in the middle of the road… then…” Unsure if we were on the right road the entire time… looking at the clock and thinking perhaps we don’t have time for this… and then, 4.5km winding through the mountain… there he is – the man on the other end of the phone – waving us down to stop at his gorgeous stone walled vineyard. It felt like we were in a summer dream…

Miguel, the owner and vintner, welcomed us onto his property through his stone pillared gate. Lean, tan, white haired and wearing shorts and a loose, pressed white cotton shirt, he walked us past his beautiful vine covered home amidst gentle sounds of young voices and tapping earthen kitchenware, and to the adjoining Bodega. Inside, the cool air greeted us, and the now familiar steel fermenting tanks lined one wall as we passed through to the tasting area. The first thing we noticed were all the awards and certificates that are proudly, yet discretely, framed on the wall. Yet for some strange reason, this did not mean anything particular to us, and we had no expectations before the tasting. Surrounded by maturing bottles, and speaking to us only in Spanish, Miguel brought out 5 bottles of wine, two glasses, and an elegant small bottle of light virgin olive oil.

Pouring the first taste, Miguel starts telling us about his wine and how he makes it. He started the vineyard out of passion and interest, and only wants to make good wine. Producing around 15,000 bottles per year, they are mostly exported, or sold in high-class restaurants on the island and to private clients. After the first taste we love it! It is clear that this is his passion and that he makes the wine that he wants to drink. While we tasted, his daughters appeared, earnest and beaming, bringing rock salt and sliced rustic bread to accompany the home pressed oil that the bodega also sells. The oil was lovely, light and delicate, a delicious addition to the tasting! We tried four of the five bottles of wine; the only one we didn’t try is the Pinot Noir, because of demand it has sold out.

Es Verger pays attention to detail. Miguel works with his son Jaume Fullana, they put quality before quantity, and have set the standards high by being an organic winery. They have very loyal clients internationally, and also from the island’s best restaurants. We learned all their red wines are aged in French oak. All processing is done on their property and in the tasting cellar we were in. It is a beautiful small scale family production with exquisite results.