LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
APPELATIONS
Mallorca, also known as Majorca in English, isn’t just a playground for German tourists and cycling enthusiasts; it is a serious viticultural asset that has spent the last two decades quietly shedding its bulk-wine past for a premium future.
While the Binissalem DO often hogs the limelight like a loud startup CEO, the Pla i Llevant DO is the technical co-founder doing the heavy lifting in the background.
Covering the fertile “plain and east coast” of the island—a name that reflects its Catalan roots—this region is where the algebra of Mediterranean sun, ancient soil, and sea breeze equals wines of startling complexity, making Majorca a notable wine-producing destination.
This isn’t just a wine region; it’s a masterclass in adaptation. The origin of viticulture here dates back to Roman times, when the Romans introduced grape growing and winemaking to the island, laying the foundation for the region’s longstanding wine tradition. From these Roman roots to a phylloxera apocalypse and a modern renaissance, Pla i Llevant is writing a playbook on how to pivot from quantity to quality.
Throughout this guide, we'll explore Pla i Llevant's terroir, native grape varieties, historic wineries and sustainability practices, providing a blueprint for Mediterranean wine excellence today.
Pla i Llevant translates to “plain and east coast,” a name that perfectly captures the region’s geography. The area is characterized by broad plains, offering a flat and fertile landscape ideal for viticulture. Spanning the southeastern half of Mallorca, it encompasses key municipalities including Manacor, Felanitx, Llucmajor, and Santanyí—towns that have traded almond groves for vines over the past two decades.
The region sits at a crucial crossroads: low enough to catch the moderating Embat wind from the Mediterranean, with many vineyards located at or near sea level, benefiting from maritime conditions and coastal breezes, yet elevated enough to avoid frost pockets. What makes Pla i Llevant distinctive is its positioning as Mallorca’s second DO, deliberately carved out to distinguish itself from the older, more conservative Binissalem.
It’s a region that embraced modernization without abandoning its roots, attracting younger winemakers and investors who saw opportunity where older generations saw only agricultural commodity production. Today, it represents the future of Balearic viticulture.
The numbers don't lie. Pla i Llevant produces around 220,000 bottles of wine annually, across 13 wineries, from a low-altitude plateau where temperatures soar.
Rainfall barely breaks 450 mm per year, driving concentration in the berries. This is a region engineered for intensity.
Key Metrics – Pla i Llevant DO
The history of Pla i Llevant reads like a business case study in resilience.
Sustainability in Pla i Llevant isn't a marketing buzzword; it's a survival strategy.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Pla i Llevant DO occupies Mallorca's central-eastern plain and coastal strip, spanning towns like Manacor and Felanitx, and is characterized by low hills, fertile limestone soils, and the moderating influence of the Mediterranean Sea. Vines are planted across these plains and coastal areas, often using trellises or low bush (en vaso) training systems to suit the local climate and optimize grape quality.
This is the region's natural air conditioning. The Embat is a daily thermal breeze that blows from the sea onto the land. In an area where summer temperatures hit 37°C (99°F), this wind is the difference between fresh, complex grapes and cooked fruit jam. It lowers vine temperature, retains acidity, and imparts a distinct saline character on the skins. The average annual rainfall in Pla i Llevant is barely 425 mm, mostly falling during autumn as intense, short-lived storms.
The region is underlain by a mix of calcareous rock and clay. The star is the Call Vermell, a distinct reddish, iron-rich clay soil. It's nutrient-poor (which is suitable for wine) and retains water like a camel, essential for surviving the dry Mallorcan summers without irrigation.
Pla i Llevant doesn't put all its eggs in one basket.
It balances a portfolio of high-risk, high-reward native grapes with stable, blue-chip international varieties, blending traditional indigenous varieties with international ones to create high-quality wines. Among the most common international grapes, the most planted are Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Moscatel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Monastrell, and Tempranillo.
An aspect to keep in mind: Fogoneu was the most produced variety in the last quarter of the 19th century in Pla i Llevant, but now Callet is the most representative native grape variety in Pla i Llevant due to its wide extent of cultivation in the region.
White Varieties
Red Varieties
The region also produces traditional method sparkling wines made from both native and international grapes, adding to the diversity of styles available.
The region produces a wide range of wines, including red, white, rosé, sparkling, fortified, and semi-sparkling, with a clear trend toward “Mediterranean freshness.”
Wine Styles & Profiles
A significant portion of Pla i Llevant wine is consumed locally on Mallorca, rarely reaching the Spanish mainland or international markets, yet it is available in the island's best shops, bars, and restaurants.
Forget generic “tapas.”
The wines of Pla i Llevant are crafted to cut through the fat and spice of island cuisine.
Pla i Llevant has recognized wine as a content asset. Tourism here isn't just a cellar tour; it's lifestyle marketing. The region capitalizes on its proximity to the coast, offering experiences that blend beach culture with viticulture. It is less crowded than Binissalem, offering a more intimate, “insider” vibe. You aren't just buying a bottle; you are buying the story of the Embat wind and the iron-red dust on your shoes.
If you're planning a trip to the Pla i Llevant wine subregion, be sure to include a winery visit and tasting in your itinerary for an immersive experience of local winemaking.
If you're planning a wine-fuelled escape to Mallorca, the Pla i Llevant region—aptly named for its “plain and east coast” setting—should be at the top of your itinerary.
This corner of the Balearic Islands is where ancient history, fertile soils, and a new wave of winemaking energy collide, offering a travel experience as rich and layered as the wines themselves.
Five standout producers define Pla i Llevant's modern era, each representing a distinct philosophy: scale, heritage, experimentation, purity, and history.
Together, they showcase the region's diversity and ambition.
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