Borja Perez Viticultor, Artifice Tinto 2020

Situated in the richly biodiverse DO appellation Ycoden-Daute-Isora in Tenerife’s northwest, the volcanic, maritime vineyards here range from low coastal elevations to around 800m on average, with the most extreme sites climbing as high as 1,400m. Proximity to the Atlantic and its constant cooling winds and natural humidity conspire to produce a very exciting, yet challenging, climate for wine production. In the cellar, Borja takes a minimal intervention approach with no additions at all other than a touch of sulphur at bottling. Tending to favour a little skin contact in the whites to naturally balance the wines’ intense saline acidities with a bit more texture. New oak is avoided in favour of concrete, 500L used French oak and 2,500L foudres.

Borja Perez is a rising star of the Canary Island wine scene. Following a career as a racing car mechanic, Borja inherited the family business in 2011 and decided to bottle his own wine rather than sell off the fruit. He set about refocusing on local varieties like Listan Blanco, Listan Negro, Marmajuelo, Vijariego Negro and Baboso Negro by restoring old ungrafted vineyards back to full health and establishing new sites – work he is still engaged in today. In that pursuit, Borja has developed a reputation as one of the best viticulturists in the Canaries.