The interpretation of grape harvesting with camels, reminiscent of older generations of farmers when the technological transformation of the wine sector in Lanzarote was nowhere in sight, always attracts hundreds of visitors to the unique landscape of La Geria. However, this year, the constant flow of locals and tourists visiting Bodega La Geria and the surrounding estates to closely observe and participate in the traditional grape harvest on 15th August, a day marked by the celebration of Our Lady of Charity in La Geria and the Catholic commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin, was especially visible and notable.
After ten in the morning, local farmers, alongside the camels Blanca and María, descended to an estate adjacent to Bodega La Geria to cut grapes and place them in harvest boxes amidst the anticipation of the public, who were eager to take photos and videos, enthralled by the sight of a unique landscape full of holes surrounded by stone walls protecting the vineyards.
This routine was repeated three times, and the weighing of the harvest was carried out on the old counterweight scale maintained by the winery, with both young and old helping to stomp the grapes. For Óscar Noda, the mayor of Yaiza, “maintaining the tradition means reminding the younger generation of the hardship involved in reconstructing the landscape of La Geria by women and men with the help of camels after the volcanic eruptions, and the eternal fertility of an area that amazes the world.”
Daniel Medina, councillor for Festivities in Yaiza, highlights “the participation of the public and the interest of the youth in learning about the evolution of the wine sector in Lanzarote, which has notable figures such as Don Germán López Figueras, the promoter of the modern era of Bodegas Rubicón since 1979. The Yaiza Town Council joins the tribute from the Regulatory Council of Wines of Lanzarote and praises the tireless work and vision of this veteran entrepreneur from La Geria.”
And yes, the work of the viticulturists is indeed hard, and almost unpredictable is the outcome of the grape harvest in Lanzarote. This year, the grape production is clearly low: “we have a short harvest due to the water stress that the plants have been suffering for some years. The water arrived a bit late, almost in spring, and combined with a rather cold spring, the plants did not sprout well, there was little flowering, and there is little grape this 2025,” explains Ramón Melián, director of Bodega La Geria.
Such is the harvest in Lanzarote, occurring in cycles, reminding us of productions nearly 4 million kilos and other paltry ones of 600 or 700 thousand kilos. Forecasts indicate that a kilo of grapes will be sold for more than 4 euros, “prices never seen in Lanzarote.”
The festivities in La Geria began on Thursday with a gathering at Bodegas Rubicón, animated by the southern music groups Sondemar and Janubio. The main day, Friday 15th August, continued with a mass at the historic chapel and traditional grape harvest, where music was not lacking, this time from the group Pal’ Porrón. In the afternoon, there was also a mass and offering featuring the music and dance from the Rubicón Folklore Group of Yaiza.
