Bimbache ‘John Stone’ Blanco 2022

El Hierro is one of the more obscure Canary Islands. While absolutely stunning, it is a lot more rustic than some of its neighbours. For that reason, it is one of the least visited Canary Islands. It also happens to be the furthest west and the smallest island with only 167 hectares of land under vine left (less than a fifth of the Mornington Peninsula). In spite of that meagre size, it has one of the most diverse array of native grape varieties. 

With this project, Rayco and his winemaker, Pablo Matallana started with a miniscule 5 hectares. Esaú Suarez and Silvia Viot look after viticulture. The goal has been to work with native varieties while trying to represent the three municipalities on the island: Valverde, Frontera and El Pinar.

While the wines are farmed with a “natural” approach, the team are very particular in using a rational approach towards it. “Rationalism over dogmatism.” It is something they believe should be logical when farming on a Geopark and Biosphere reserve.

John Stone is sourced from a single, 60 year old vineyard called ‘Piedra Juan’ (translates literally to John Stone) in the municipality of La Frontera. The blanco is a blend of Vijariego Blanco and Listán Blanco; and is aged in tank and neutral French oak for 10 months under flor.