Love at first sip, sight unseen, turned into head over heels infatuation upon landing onto this tiny little volcano, the highest of all peaks in Spain, a floating island paradise off the west coast of Africa: DOP Tacaronte-Acentejo, Tenerife.

Nature is the most inspired of artists, and this Canary Island is an unbelievable work of Spanish splendor! The largest of the seven Canary Islands, the entire coastline of Tenerife can be driven in 4 hours - hours in which you can travel through brooding clouds into brilliant sunshine in mere minutes, and often. A place where the viticulture wrestles with potatoes for thirsty waterfront real estate, and resilient indigenous vines braid down poor red-colored soils rich in organic minerals cover the ancient volcanic soils beneath them. Founder of Presa ‘Ocampo’s López Díaz was born here into a viticulturist’s family and and over the past 40 years he has been carefully cultivating 12 ha of oceanfront, organically farmed indigenous varieties. He is locally lauded as a pioneer in leading the charge at the Consejo Regulador which catapulted the region of Tacoronte-Acentejo to become the first designated wine region in the Canaries to be granted DOP status in 1992.

Fast forward to hoy en día when the humble Presa Ocampo sets their winery sights on the international stage by inviting their family friend, a local famed enólogo from neighboring DO Orotava, to assist in raising their grapes to new heights of winemaking. Introducing Señor Jonatan Garcia to the ‘Ocampo’ dance floor.

A dedicated student of the world’s wines, Jonatan utilizes his keen knowledge of Tenrife’s curious volcanic soils, and incorporates exciting vessels made of cement, Austrian Stockinger and foudre into his little fancy nook within the existing winery. It is there, with the support of Ocampo’s resident winemaker Francisco Álvarez, where they are coaxing serious nerve, tension and impressive quality from these unique varieties: Listán Blanco, Albillo Crillolo, Malvasia Vocánica, Marmajuelo, Listán Negro, and Vijariego. The first vintage of ‘Ocampo’ was released in 2022, and the 2023s are even more impressive.

You will not find any notes of reduction in these wines - and we just love that.