If you are vacationing in Mallorca and want to go beyond its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters to explore the more authentic and rural side of the island, a visit to the charming village of Binissalem is a must. This historic heart of Mallorcan winemaking is a hidden gem worth discovering.
As you drive along the highway from Palma toward Alcudia, you will be struck by the sight of a giant bottle-shaped statue standing in the middle of a vineyard on your left—this is where we’re headed! In total contrast to the fast-paced traffic nearby, you will find José Luis Ferrer winery, a place that combines the spirit of ancient rural Mallorca with the technological advancements needed to produce high-quality and modern wines.
| José Luis Ferrer | |
|---|---|
| Location | Binissalem |
| Designation | D.O. Binissalem & Vi de la Terra de Mallorca |
| Year Founded | 1931 |
| Best Wines | José Luis Ferrer Reserva, Veritas Brut Nature, & Ferreret Giró Ros |
| Events | Winery Tours and Tastings, Gastronomic Experiences, Vineyard Train Tour, Aromas Workshop, & Weddings and Private Events |
| Website | www.vinosferrer.com/es/bodegas-jose-l-ferrer |
| Phone Number | +34 971 100 100 |
| Social |
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Contents
The Story of José Luis Ferrer
José Luis Ferrer Ramonell founded the winery in 1931 at the young age of 28, displaying the ambition and clarity of purpose typical of a determined visionary. His mission was clear: to transform Mallorcan grapes into high-quality wines capable of competing internationally.
A pioneer of Mallorcan viticulture, he entered a world where agriculture was not yet technologically advanced, and wine played a very different social and nutritional role. It was mainly sold in bulk or in demijohns for everyday consumption and was predominantly red, as white grape varieties were not widely cultivated. José predicted the great potential of the native grape varieties and built his winery on a foundation of quality-driven innovation, revolutionizing the sector by:
- Introducing new vine cultivation techniques
- Producing the first white wines on the island from native grape varieties
- Experimenting with oak barrel aging to bring out the best in the wines
- Becoming the first on the island to bottle wines for commercial sale
The winery experienced steady growth over the years, even managing to survive the difficult times of World War II when many Mallorcan wineries had to cease production. The path charted by José, along with his production philosophy and expertise, continues to be passed down from father to son. The winery has now reached its fifth generation, ensuring a bright future for this Mallorcan icon.
Visiting the Winery
Visiting the winery is a true journey through time. The underground cellars, built in 1931, still contain the original concrete fermentation tanks. Upstairs, a museum has been set up where you can admire a massive vertical wooden press from the past, the first bottles produced, vintage newspaper articles, and photographs of celebrities such as Grace Kelly.
The winery was expanded in 1960 with the addition of new tanks and, in 1995, the construction of two large barrel rooms that house up to 2,000 oak barrels—a true temple of aging, where wine rests to achieve its finest expression.
The most recent addition came in 2016 with the construction of the Veritas winery, dedicated exclusively to the vinification of the homonym wines, considered the crown jewel of the production, featuring cutting-edge technology.
A Leader in Mallorcan Wine
The winery owns 140 hectares of vineyards and it produces an average of 700,000 bottles annually, making José Luis Ferrer one of the leading players in Mallorcan winemaking. A significant portion of the vineyards is managed under organic farming principles, leveraging precision viticulture technologies that provide detailed data for specific needs on each vine.
The estate cultivates 15 grape varieties, including 8 reds: the native Mantonegro, Callet and Gorgollasa, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot and Monastrell. For white wines, there are 7 varieties: the native Moll (also called Prensal blanc) and Giró Ros, as well as Chardonnay, Parellada, Macabeo, Moscatel and Muscat of Alexandria.
Digging into the soil to feel the soul of these wines, you will find brownish-red limestone soil rich in iron combined with white gravel, providing an excellent substrate for vine growth. The vast array of vineyards, spread across 20 different fincas mainly within the D.O. Binissalem area, translates into a wide selection of wines for the public. With numerous product lines catering to all tastes and budgets, José Luis Ferrer maintains a consistently high standard of quality.
José Luis Ferrer’s Best Wines
José Luis Ferrer Reserva
Part of the classic José Luis Ferrer line, these wines represent the most iconic labels of the winery and can be found in many restaurants due to their excellent quality-to-price ratio. Try the red “Reserva” to savor an emblematic wine crafted from Mantonegro, Callet and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This structured red wine with aromas of ripe cherry and hints of tobacco reaches perfect balance after 21 months of barrel aging.
Veritas Brut Nature
The Veritas line is a step toward the climax of quality, offering whites, reds and rosés of great character and finesse. Among its highlights is a rarely seen expression of native Mallorcan grape varieties: the champenoise method. One of the few sparkling wines produced on the island, it is available as a blanc de blancs made from Moll (Prensal Blanc), a rosé crafted with Mantonegro, and as Brut Nature in both its standard and Reserva versions.
This sparkling wine, tagged as “Mallorcan Champagne”, goes to an extended aging on the lees, giving a creamy texture, delicate bread crust aromas and a persistent but gentle effervescence. The fruit notes of lemon zest, white peach and Mediterranean herbs add depth. Perfect for aperitifs, it also pairs with seafood-based dishes or more elaborate preparations.
Ferreret Giró Ros
The Ferreret line pays tribute to a recently discovered species of small frog found only in the caves of the Serra de Tramuntana. Known for its unique call as the sound of iron striking an anvil, this frog is called ferreret, which means “little blacksmith” in Mallorcan.
The Ferrer family honors it by naming their most Mallorcan-focused line after it. These monovarietal wines with native grapes reflect the terroir of the island, with the pure expressions of Mantonegro, Callet, Gorgollasa and Giró Ros. The last one is a refined white wine with a straw-yellow hue and greenish highlights. It boasts aromas of white fruit, floral notes, and Mediterranean herbs. Medium-bodied, it pairs perfectly with paellas, fish or white meat dishes, and light Mediterranean cuisine.
The Pedra de Binissalem line is another point of pride, as it represents the first certified organic wines, available in white, red, and rosé versions.
Finally, the Dues line blends native Mallorcan varieties with international ones, creating unique duets that result from years of experimentation and tasting.
Events, Tasting, and Tours
The hospitality is a standout feature offering the most comprehensive wine tourism experiences on the island.
Winery Tours and Tastings
Available in three options:
- Mantonegro Tour: Taste 4 premium wines paired with local tapas and cheeses – €26 per person.
- Moll Tour: Enjoy 3 selected wines with tapas and cheeses – €19.50 per person.
- Wine & Chocolate: Experience 4 Veritas premium wines paired with fine chocolates infused with Mallorcan oranges, almonds and salts – €27 per person (minimum group of 6).
The tour availability is from Monday to Saturday at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm, and Sundays at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. To book, call +34 971 100 100 or email visitas@vinosferrer.com.
Gastronomic Experiences
- Moscatel Experience: 4 wines paired with pa amb oli, tapas, cheeses, and local products – €32 per person (minimum group of 12).
- Giró Ros Experience: 4 premium wines paired with Mallorcan-style tapas – €53 per person (minimum group of 20).
- Gorgollassa Experience: 5 wines paired with Mallorcan-inspired finger foods – €52 per person (minimum group of 20).
- Es Cos Vell Menu: Traditional Mallorcan dishes, including appetizers, main courses, dessert, coffee, and local liquors – €73 per person (minimum group of 12).
- Es Pinaret Menu: Wood-fired specialties with similar offerings as Es Cos Vell – €79 per person (minimum group of 12).
- Arrozame Menu: Paella by master Kike Marti, wine included – €67 per person (minimum group of 20).
- Arrozame Premium: Two paellas with additional courses and wines – €75 per person (minimum group of 20).
Visit https://www.vinosferrer.com/en/wine-tourism/enogastronomic-eperiences/ for more details.
Unique Experiences
- Vineyard Train Tour: A 40-minute mini-train excursion through the vineyards.
- Aroma Workshop: A playful way to explore wine aromas like a sommelier.
- Personalize Your Bottle: Add custom labels to your favorite bottles—perfect for gifts.
Weddings and Private Events
The estate is also equipped for large-scale events such as weddings, offering a picturesque and memorable venue for special occasions.
Wine Shop
If you cannot stay for a tasting, the shop is open seven days a week:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
- Thursday and Friday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
How to Get to José Luis Ferrer Winery
To reach the winery from Palma by car, take the Ma-13 highway and exit at junction 17 to enter Binissalem. Free parking is available for visitors. You can also take the train from Palma’s main station (Estación Intermodal) to the Binissalem station and walk about 1 km to the winery.
Raise a glass to Mallorcan wine history, salut!