We’ve known the passionate Porreres winemaker and all-round-good-egg, Bàrbara Mesquida, longer than we’ve known any other winemakers here in Mallorca. We first met when Bàrbara worked at Jaume Mesquida, the winery founded by her great-grandfather in 1945. I think it was in 2004 when we had friends staying from the UK that we first went to visit the winery. We hadn’t booked a tour, but Bàrbara – her baby daughter discreetly clamped to her breast – obligingly showed us around.

In 2012, Bàrbara left the family winery to set up her own, Mesquida Mora, also in Porreres. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the summer, you can go to her finca and enjoy what Bàrbara has named Es Cub, for a glass (or more) of wine and something to nibble prepared by the excellent Seal Private Dining.

The combination of excessive heat and the death of my dad this summer reduced our socialising, but we were determined not to miss Mesquida Mora’s End of Harvest Party last Saturday. No secateurs or gloves were required!
I bought our tickets as soon as I saw the event mentioned on their Instagram page (give it a follow for details of their jazz nights and Thursday night dinners at the mill). It was good that I did as tickets were sold out within 24 hours.

We had a great time and sat to eat with two fun British women who live in Porreres.

Festa des Vermar – Binissalem Wine Festival

The big event of September is the celebration of the grape harvest in Binissalem, at the heart of the DO Binissalem. The programme of events for this year’s event – the 60th edition – began on September 4th and continues until Sunday, 27th.

Popular activities during the Festa des Vermar include the grape-throwing battle in Binissalem at midday on Saturday, 19th. If you’re going to spectate at this event, wear old clothes in case the grapes come your way. The following day is the grape-treading competition.

The weekend of 26th and 27th offers a wine-themed parade, tastings at the Wine Fair, and the slightly (well, very) scary fire run with dimonis (devils), known as a correfoc – an almost obligatory end to any fiestas in Mallorca.

The full programme for the Festa des Vermar can be found here.

Jan Edwards ©2026