Ses Talaioles
When time allows we love to explore the island and visit charming wineries that are off the beaten track. Ses Talaioles is one of those hidden gems that we found fascinating. Located on the outskirts of Porto Cristo, on elevated land, the vineyard boasts exceptional views from the top vineyard. But, what makes the estate truly remarkable is the remains of the prehistoric settlement of the Talayotes embedded in the grounds. In days gone by, these formidable Balearic warriors defended their settlements with slingshots (hence the image on the Talvin labels). Talayot is derived from the Catalan word talaia, meaning observation and watchtower.
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We first heard about Ses Talaioles when we owned our wine bar in Santa Catalina. Their red wine, Sestalino, was a popular choice among our clients. At the time, the winery was not particularly well-known or well promoted, but that is now changing. Towards the end of last year, we drove to Ses Talaioles to meet with Helen Purrucker, who is responsible for the sales and promotion of the winery.
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Upon entering the estate, a striking tower from the 15th C immediately caught our eye. After parking the car, we hopped on a quad buggy with Helen and she kindly showed us around the estate, which felt more like a farm than a winery. We went uphill through vineyards that were planted on a sea facing slope. And, from the top of the hill, we were able to take in the breathtaking view of the estate, the surrounding countryside, and the coastline of Porto Cristo in the distance.
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A little bit of history
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During our tour, Helen shared with us the fascinating story of the De Waal family, the German-Dutch owners who discovered this beautiful unspoiled land with its unique microclimate. In the year 2000, they took ownership of the estate with a vision to establish a sustainable legacy. Their approach involves climate-friendly practices, energy efficiency, manual labour, careful use of natural resources, respect for the land, and the promotion of social responsibility.
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The tour
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The quad buggy tour through the vineyards and the farm estate was a treat, and the views of the estate and surrounding countryside were stunning. Helen pointed out the Algarrobo and olive trees and emphasized the importance of maintaining a mixed farm estate at Ses Talaioles. Along the way, we stopped to greet some Mallorcan black pigs sleeping in their historic pig garden under old holm oaks.
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The tasting
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Since we first ordered wines from Ses Talaioles, they have expanded their range. Their new Talvin range includes a rosé wine, a white, and a red. At the Pollensa Wine Fair, we had the opportunity to taste the latest vintage of the Talvin rosé. This pale salmon-coloured wine is both elegant and refreshing, with added complexity. The Talvin red has minerality to it, with notes of plum and cocoa, and is perfect for everyday drinking. It can also be enjoyed slightly chilled.
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The terroir range of red wines is more suited to those who prefer a more powerful red wine. The Sestalino is the lightest; the Sestal shows complexity, and the Na Pujola impresses with its depth and intensity.
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Franz de Waal, the owner, states, "Wherever you enjoy our wines, you should experience what Ses Talaioles feels like." He is keen to ensure their wines reflect their place of origin and the atmosphere of Ses Talaioles. We couldn't agree more and now that we have appreciated the beauty of the estate with our own eyes, we can 'taste' it in their wines.
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Website: Ses Talaioles
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Article written by Lara Corfield & Ivan Gonzalez, The Wine Industry Mallorca
Photography © Ses Talaioles
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Other articles by Iván & Lara:
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