Wine Tasting at Bodegas Bordoy in Llucmajor

Founded in 2000, the Bodega sold its first wine in 2004. The owners are Mallorcan and the winery is part of a large corporation which produces milk, water and cheese and owns 2 hotels on the island.

The vineyards cover about 19 hectares and produce approximately 100,000 bottles per annum. Varietals range from indigenous grapes, notably Callet, Premsal Blanc and Giró Ros, to more traditional ones including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for their largest area under vine. The Bodega exports 15% of its total production to Germany and other EU countries, the majority being consumed locally.

The soil in the vineyard is deep red and calcareous with about half a metre of topsoil and stones below providing excellent drainage. The vines are low yielding and produce high quality wines with high alcohol and low acidity. The Pla I Llevant region, where Bordoy is located, is the smallest producer of wine per hectare in Mallorca.

Harvest runs from mid-August through to October. Grapes are picked, placed into small boxes, sorted and destemmed. They are then gently pressed using pneumatic presses. After fermentation, the majority of their wines are aged in French or American oak barrels costing between EUR600 - 800 each.

This year, the vines have received plenty of sun, most notably in June and July when temperatures exceeded 40C on same days. Rainfall however has been low and as a consequence, yields will be down meaning that the winemaker will need to select carefully.

Sandra Adrian is the convivial host at Bodegas Bordoy and has worked there for 6 years. This multi-talented lady conducts tours, hosts tastings at hotels and abroad and even works in the vineyard.

The Bodega produces 10 different wines, the majority of which are named “Sa Rota” from the word for the small stone houses on the island “Sa Roteta”. “Terra de Marès” is their top wine from hand-selected grapes which undergo their second fermentation in French oak. It is only made in exceptional years and produced in very limited quantities.

At the time of my visit, the following wines were available for tasting.  

Sa Rota Blanc 2014
70% Chardonnay, 25% Premsal Blanc, 5% Giró Ros
Pale straw, floral, hints of jasmine, pear and white peach.

Sa Rota Barrica 2014
80% Chardonnay and 20% Giró Ros
Aged in oak for 6 months
Full bodied, rich ripe tropical, stone and citrus fruits, including pineapple, peach, mango, guava and white flowers.

Sa Rota Añada 2014
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fruity young red, deep purple rim, ripe blackcurrants, green peppers and soft tannins.

Sa Rota Crianza 2011
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Callet, 10% Syrah and 5% Merlot
Aged in oak for 1 year
Herbal nose, ripe red and black fruits, hints of rosemary and very soft tannins.

Sa Rota Reserva 2011
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Callet, 10% Syrah and 5% Merlot
Aged in oak for 2 years
Starting to turn brown; more rounded, balanced and complex than the Crianza.  Still fruity, but additionally displaying elements of smoke and leather.  

Sa Rota Syrah 2007
100% Syrah
Aged in oak for 1 year
Black pepper nose, but in all other respects, a very light, atypical Syrah.  

Sa Rota Merlot 2009
100% Merlot
Aged in oak for 1 year
Ripe red cherries, strawberries, sweet tannins, toasted oak and a long finish.

Terra de Marès 2012
50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah
Aged 10 months in oak
Pronounced aromas and flavours of ripe red and black fruits, with hints of balsamic.  Very complex, with soft ripe fine-grained tannins and a long finish.

Sa Rota Dulce 2014
100% Merlot
Ripe red cherries, redcurrants, raspberries and blueberries, with high levels of acidity which keep it light and fresh.

How much does it cost?
There was no charge for our visit.

Opening Hours
08.00 – 17.00 from Monday to Friday, however, I would recommend you phone ahead to make an appointment.

Additional Information:
You can buy wines direct from the Bodega and you can also taste their cheeses onsite.

For further information, please contact Bodegas Bordoy direct.