Traditional wine making is very strong in Lanzarote and across the island you will soon be familiar with the sight of rows of small hollows in the ground with a low stone wall in front of them. These are gerias and are to protect the vines from the strong wind that sometimes blows across exposed areas.

La Geria is the stronghold of wine making and the new 18 million euro Stratus bodega has just opened, using modern methods to produce a fine old brew. Computerised controls make sure that temperature and humidity are spot on and monitored at all times, putting the bodega at the forefront of european wine making.

The new bodega was opened at the start of May in a blaze of celebration with music, clowns and acrobats at the opening night. Princess Alexia of Greece was the guest of honour and she was given a full tour of the wine making process and the conference and exhibition areas. I’m sure we will all raise a glass of finest Lanzarote wine to their future success.