El Hierro is the westernmost and southernmost island of the Canary Islands (Las Canarias) of Spain. It is also the archipelago's smallest wine region, and achieved its DO status in 1994 when only two bodegas (wineries) were in operation. This number has steadily increased and El Hierro is now producing some pleasant wines of varying styles, mostly sold in local taverns. The DO covers the entire island.
El Hierro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, its diverse landscapes framed by the imposing mountains that run nearly the width of the island. Razor-sharp cliffs and mountains abound, as do rocky coastlines and terraces carved into the slopes. Gnarled sabina (juniper) trees that have bowed to strong winds over the years have become a symbol of El Hierro. Pines and prickly-pear trees can also be found in various parts, along with mossy laurel trees.
Vineyards are thought to have been planted in the 17th Century by English settlers or merchants. The wines produced were distilled into spirits and exported to Latin America, or made into sweet wines. The demand for these spirits has steadily declined and El Hierro's wines are no longer used for this, instead being made into fresh, light styles, consumed mostly locally.
The island's extinct volcanoes define the vineyards' locations. Most vines are planted on steep terraces and slopes where the soil is poor, albeit with good water retention. The vineyards lie at altitudes of 410ft to 2300ft (125m–700m) and are spread across three sub-regions: Valle del Golfo, Echedo and El Pinar.
El Hierro has a mild climate with long sunshine hours (an average of 3000 a year). This, along with the winds blowing off the Atlantic Ocean, defines its grape-growing conditions. The Alisios, a summer trade wind that blows across the northwest of the island, is responsible for bringing in high amounts of humidity. As a result, summer temperatures rarely exceed 82F (28C). This combination of conditions means that El Hierro is principally a white-wine-producing area, with indigenous grape varieties taking the lead. Because phylloxera never reached the Canary Islands, some vines are hundreds of years old, adding to the richness and complexity of the wines.
El Hierro's styles range from light, dry and fresh white wines, often enjoyed young, to traditional sweet and fortified wines, made here for several centuries, although drier wines certainly outweigh sweeter examples. The vineyards are dominated by the rather neutral native Vijariego Blanco and Listan Blanco (Palomino), but other natives such as Bremajuelo, Gual (Bual), Listan Negro, Tinta Negra Mole and Vijariego Negro can also be found.
