“Funnels” in the vineyards of La Geria (Lanzarote, Canary Islands)

Confronted with adverse climatic conditions and sterile soils on the surface, the inhabitants of the volcanic island of Lanzarote have developed an ingenious vine growing system that made it possible to overcome the lack of rainfall nearly 300 years ago.

Confronted with adverse climatic conditions and sterile soils on the surface, the inhabitants of the volcanic island of Lanzarote have developed an ingenious vine growing system that made it possible to overcome the lack of rainfall nearly 300 years ago.

In fact, part of the Lanzarote vineyards is grown in funnels of clinker each surrounded by a little wall to protect vines from burning winds from the Sahara. Funnels also overnight condensation down to the vine at their center.

This cultivation method has created extraordinary landscapes in a lunar decor where vines are the only splaches of colour. Lanzarote inhabitants unintentionally create, at a landscape scale, a real work of art that has given inspiration to many artists including César Manrique, champion of Land art and native of Lanzarote.

For more information :

https://www.persee.fr/doc/rgpso_1276-4930_2002_num_14_1_2803

http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/ed-06-08/010044526.pdf

Picture : George Steinmetz