The Vineyards
The Vineyards
at Finca Can Axartell
and Finca Boscana
When Finca Can Axartell was first acquired back in the 1990s, not a single grapevine was present on the 200 hectares of land. It was instead home to a herd of sheep that grazed amidst 40 hectares of olive trees that remain, even today, Can Axartell's largest product by surface area. The exact age of those olive trees is unknown, but experts have estimated some of them as being between 500 and 1,000 years old. That Can Axartell had actually produced wine centuries earlier — highly prized at the local level, no less — only became apparent over time. What was clear, however was that vineyards had once existed in the eastern part of Mallorca, as they had almost everywhere on the island. In fact, during the 19th century there were almost 30,000 hectares under vine, almost 10x as many as today.
The outstanding suitability of the finca's terrain for winegrowing was studied and confirmed by a phalanx of viticultural experts. It quickly became clear that the limestone soil boasted a high share of calcium. The finca's land is embedded in a valley on the southern edge of the Tramuntana mountain range. Each evening, the local mountain, known as the Penya Mascorda, casts long shadows over the landscape. The valley is open in two directions, catching cooling breezes from Pollença Bay, which lies just seven kilometers away.
The land, however, was not immediately hospitable for the planting of the initial 2.4 hectares of vineyards. It first had to be plowed deeply and the larger stones removed, followed by a two-year course of treatment with herbs such as alfalfa and marigold to improve the structure of the soil and reduce the population of roundworms. By the third year the soil was ready to accept the first vines, which from the start were cultivated based on organic principles. This procedure was followed for all subsequent vineyards as well.
When Finca Can Axartell was first acquired back in the 1990s, not a single grapevine was present on the 200 hectares of land. It was instead home to a herd of sheep that grazed amidst 40 hectares of olive trees that remain, even today, Can Axartell's largest product by surface area. The exact age of those olive trees is unknown, but experts have estimated some of them as being between 500 and 1,000 years old. That Can Axartell had actually produced wine centuries earlier — highly prized at the local level, no less — only became apparent over time. What was clear, however was that vineyards had once existed in the eastern part of Mallorca, as they had almost everywhere on the island. In fact, during the 19th century there were almost 30,000 hectares under vine, almost 10x as many as today.
The outstanding suitability of the finca's terrain for winegrowing was studied and confirmed by a phalanx of viticultural experts. It quickly became clear that the limestone soil boasted a high share of calcium. The finca's land is embedded in a valley on the southern edge of the Tramuntana mountain range. Each evening, the local mountain, known as the Penya Mascorda, casts long shadows over the landscape. The valley is open in two directions, catching cooling breezes from Pollença Bay, which lies just seven kilometers away.
The land, however, was not immediately hospitable for the planting of the initial 2.4 hectares of vineyards. It first had to be plowed deeply and the larger stones removed, followed by a two-year course of treatment with herbs such as alfalfa and marigold to improve the structure of the soil and reduce the population of roundworms. By the third year the soil was ready to accept the first vines, which from the start were cultivated based on organic principles. This procedure was followed for all subsequent vineyards as well.
The Vineyards at Finca Can Axartell
The first variety planted on the estate was Callet. It is the most famous, and finest, variety on the island, and is regarded as a native son, having mutated from other varieties over the centuries. Callet is perfectly adapted for the specific climate of the island. 2005 to 2018 saw the planting of 15 additional parcels, each covering between 1.3 and 5.5 hectares. The limestone soils contain a roughly 20% share of calcium, making them especially well suited for the cultivation of red varieties. Rows of Callet grace the vineyards alongside indigenous varieties such as Manto Negro and the Mediterranean variety of Syrah as well as specialties such as Petit Verdot, Merlot and various members of the Pinot family. White varieties are also included in several of the vineyards, with rows of Prensal, Moscatel (Muscat) and Malvasia de Banyalbufar. There is also an experimental vineyard covering 1.7 hectares featuring highly rare varieties that in some cases are almost extinct elsewhere on the island. Research is underway on the prospects for these grapes under modern conditions, all part of an effort to preserve and revitalize the island's varietal diversity.
The Vineyards at Finca Can Axartell
The first variety planted on the estate was Callet. It is the most famous, and finest, variety on the island, and is regarded as a native son, having mutated from other varieties over the centuries. Callet is perfectly adapted for the specific climate of the island. 2005 to 2018 saw the planting of 15 additional parcels, each covering between 1.3 and 5.5 hectares. The limestone soils contain a roughly 20% share of calcium, making them especially well suited for the cultivation of red varieties. Rows of Callet grace the vineyards alongside indigenous varieties such as Manto Negro and the Mediterranean variety of Syrah as well as specialties such as Petit Verdot, Merlot and various members of the Pinot family. White varieties are also included in several of the vineyards, with rows of Prensal, Moscatel (Muscat) and Malvasia de Banyalbufar. There is also an experimental vineyard covering 1.7 hectares featuring highly rare varieties that in some cases are almost extinct elsewhere on the island. Research is underway on the prospects for these grapes under modern conditions, all part of an effort to preserve and revitalize the island's varietal diversity.
The Vineyards of Finca Boscana
Finca Boscana is located roughly 45 kilometers to the southeast of Can Axartell. Its grounds are close to Manacor and Felanitx. The vineyards of Finca Boscana serve as a fine supplement to those at Can Axartell. They present a notably different climate and soil. Boscana is cooler, windier and more exposed. The soils run deeper, with a higher proportion of clay. Taken together, they represent an excellent foundation for white varieties. Malvasia de Banyalbufar and Prensal are planted here, as are Viognier, Garnacha Blanca and Giró Ros. There are also vineyards with Merlot, Giró Negre and especially Monastrell, often known by its French name Mourvèdre. Boscana also contains experimental vineyards for the island's rare white and red varieties, allowing the oenologists to track how they develop in this special climate.
The Vineyards of Finca Boscana
Finca Boscana is located roughly 45 kilometers to the southeast of Can Axartell. Its grounds are close to Manacor and Felanitx. The vineyards of Finca Boscana serve as a fine supplement to those at Can Axartell. They present a notably different climate and soil. Boscana is cooler, windier and more exposed. The soils run deeper, with a higher proportion of clay. Taken together, they represent an excellent foundation for white varieties. Malvasia de Banyalbufar and Prensal are planted here, as are Viognier, Garnacha Blanca and Giró Ros. There are also vineyards with Merlot, Giró Negre and especially Monastrell, often known by its French name Mourvèdre. Boscana also contains experimental vineyards for the island's rare white and red varieties, allowing the oenologists to track how they develop in this special climate.