September is traditionally when winemakers celebrate the fruits of their labours once the grapes have all been harvested. In Binissalem, almost three weeks of this month are dedicated to a varied programme of events for the Festa des Vermar – also known as the Binissalem Wine Fair. I’ll write more about that in my next post.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s imagined spending time in a Mediterranean vineyard with other people, harvesting optimum-ripeness grapes. In my little fantasy, a morning of clipping and collecting fat bunches of grapes would be followed by a simple but idyllic, communal, al fresco lunch at a long, shaded table, served with a little wine to help diminish the pain of aching muscles. Ah, we can dream …

La Vendimia at Finca Serena

My dream almost came true on Monday, but without the aching muscles. I spent a wonderful evening at the rural hotel, Finca Serena, set in the tranquil countryside not far from the town of Montuiri. And it did involve liberating one bunch of grapes from the vine. I even donned a provided straw hat and glove and wielded some secateurs, as though I were born to the task.

We were a small group of media people invited to celebrate la vendimia or grape harvest (which actually took place last Friday under the direction of the oenologist Tomeu Llabrés). We began the evening in the peaceful vineyards, where the hotel’s Kiara told us about the varieties grown.

Finca Serena is an estate of more than 40 hectares, including ten hectares of vineyards producing the organic, native Mallorcan grape varieties of Premsal Blanc, Callet, and Giró Ros.

We were invited to have a go at harvesting, cutting a bunch or two of grapes before having a wine-tasting surrounded by vines as the sun slowly slipped down towards the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

From there we climbed the path up to Las Palmeras terrace of the 5-star hotel’s Jacaranda restaurant – an impossibly romantic setting for dinner.

Jacaranda Restaurant

Chef Jordi Rigo had designed a special vendimia tasting menu which was available to hotel guests and diners from outside the hotel on Friday and last evening to our group. It was an idyllic taste-of-Mallorca dinner and, yes, we sat at a long table together and enjoyed convivial conversation and some of Finca Serena’s wines. All without having had to work hard for it. Thank you, Finca Serena and Único Hotels.

Jan Edwards ©2026