Local producer VINS GALMÉS I RIBOT

The Ribot Galmés family’s passion for growing table grapes spans three generations, but the vine-growing traditions of Santa Margalida, where the winery is located, date back much further. The land on which their vines now grow, known as Rotes dels Cavallers, was once owned by the legendary Comte Mal, who in the 17th century leased the land to plant vines and make wine.

In 1997, the Ribot Galmés family decided to start making high-quality white and red wines, setting up Vins Galmés i Ribot, a family winery that today produces organic wines and which is committed to recovering indigenous grape varieties such as Escursat, which they used to produce their first wine, Som Pubil. For Catalina Ribot i Galmés, head of wine production, working with local grape varieties is precisely what gives her a sense of purpose in her role.

Using organic farming techniques and methods established by the Balearic Regulatory Council on Organic Farming (CBPAE), they do not use any kind of pesticide or synthetic fertiliser, relying only on the organic fertiliser provided by the sheep who graze on their land, as well as incorporating biodynamic farming methods. They value quality over quantity, including the use of traditional grape varieties, which are more resistant to disease.

The production process involved in making their wine is a demanding one. The vines are cared for month by month until ready them to be harvested. At Galmés i Ribot, this is done by hand, using crates and with great care.

The estate has 14 hectares of vines, where particular grape varieties are grown to prepare the coupage blends. Most of these include at least one indigenous variety, such as the Margalida Blanco, with Prensal Blanc and Malvasía grapes; the Margalida Rosat, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Gorgollassa varieties; and the Som Blanc, made entirely from Giró Ros grapes.

All the wines fall under the Protected Geographical Indication of Vi de la Terra de Mallorca.

The people at Galmés i Ribot are passionate about wine, which is clear in the fact that they continue to experiment, trying out grape varieties that predominated on the island before the phylloxera plague that laid waste to the vines in the late 19th century. Their Petjades wine is a good example.

Fancy taking a look around their vineyards, seeing the bodega and trying their wines? All you have to do is book an appointment.