Pla i Llevant: Mallorca's Emerging Wine Region in the East

If Binissalem is the historical wine heart of Mallorca, then Pla i Llevant is its boisterous, experimental soul. The island's second official wine region stretches across the central plain and eastern Mallorca – a vast, sun-drenched land where the Mediterranean wind sweeps through the rows of vines and winemakers craft wines of an originality long thought impossible on the island.

While Binissalem focuses on tradition and its regulations center on the indigenous Manto Negro grape, Pla i Llevant offers more freedom – and that's precisely what makes the region so exciting. This is where pioneers, career changers, and visionaries work. This is where wines are created that redefine Mallorca.

The Region: Between Plain and East Wind

The name reveals what characterizes the region: "Pla" means plain – the wide, flat center of the island – and "Llevant" is the name of the easterly wind that blows from the Mediterranean. Both elements fundamentally shape the wines.

The D.O. Pla i Llevant was founded in 1999 – nine years after Binissalem – and today comprises 18 municipalities with a total of about 450 hectares of vineyards. The most important towns are Felanitx, Manacor, Porreres, Petra, Algaida, and Sineu – all villages with a winemaking tradition that in some cases dates back to Roman times.

The vineyards are predominantly located below 100 meters above sea level. The climate is typically Mediterranean: hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 35 °C, mild winters without frost risk and – this is the crucial factor – a gusty, onshore wind from the Mediterranean that cools the vineyards daily during the hot summer months. This Llevant wind protects the grapes from heat stress, preserves fruit aromas, and at the same time keeps fungal diseases at bay.

The soils consist of calcareous rock with good permeability – ideal for vine roots that penetrate deep into the subsoil. In combination with the proximity to the sea, this creates a terroir that gives the wines a distinctive mineral note.

What Distinguishes Pla i Llevant from Binissalem

The most important difference lies in freedom. In D.O. Binissalem, red wines must contain at least 50% Manto Negro, white wines at least 50% Prensal Blanc. In Pla i Llevant, these minimum proportions do not exist. Winemakers can freely decide which of the 19 permitted grape varieties they use and in what proportion – or whether they work with single varietals.

The result is astonishing diversity. While Binissalem offers a relatively uniform wine style – elegant, Manto Negro-influenced, mineral – the wines from Pla i Llevant are highly diverse. Robust Callet cuvées stand alongside delicate natural wines, internationally inspired Merlot-Cabernet blends alongside single-varietal Fogoneu, barrel-aged Chardonnay alongside fresh Giró Ros. This stylistic breadth makes Pla i Llevant the more exciting of the two D.O. regions for many connoisseurs.

Added to this is the spirit of experimentation. While Binissalem draws its strength from tradition, Pla i Llevant shows a striking openness to new things: biodynamic viticulture, aging in clay amphorae, revival of forgotten grape varieties, natural wine production – innovations in the Mallorcan wine world disproportionately often happen in Pla i Llevant.

The Grape Varieties: Callet, Fogoneu, and More Freedom

The range of grape varieties in Pla i Llevant is wider than in any other wine region on the island:

Callet is the queen of the region and the grape variety that has made Pla i Llevant internationally known. It produces deep-colored, aromatically complex red wines – with notes of dark berries, black pepper, and Mediterranean herbs. Unlike Manto Negro, Callet has more body, more tannin, and more aging potential. The best Callet wines from the region are among the most exciting red wines produced in Spain today.

Fogoneu is officially the most cultivated red variety in the D.O. and one of Mallorca's oldest grapes. It yields light, fruit-driven wines with a pale color and low tannin – ideal for dry rosés and light summer wines. In blends, Fogoneu brings freshness and drinkability.

Manto Negro is also grown in Pla i Llevant, but does not play as dominant a role as in Binissalem. Here, it primarily serves as a blending partner, contributing elegance and softness.

Prensal Blanc is the most important white variety – fresh, aromatic, with citrus notes and green apple. In Pla i Llevant, it is often somewhat more robust and full-bodied than in Binissalem, favored by the warmer temperatures.

Giró Ros is gaining increasing importance in the region. This rare white variety produces floral, aromatically deep white wines and is a sign of the trend to revive indigenous rarities.

In addition, international varieties play an important role: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay, and even Viognier are permitted in the D.O. and are used by many winemakers – as single-varietal bottlings or as blending partners for the native grapes.

The Wineries: Our Discoveries in Pla i Llevant

Mesquida Mora – The Biodynamic Pioneer

In Porreres, on the southern edge of the D.O., lies one of the most significant wineries, not only in the region but in all of Mallorca. Barbara Mesquida Mora has made a name for herself with her biodynamic approach, which extends far beyond the island.

What makes Mesquida Mora special is its radical consistency: biodynamic cultivation according to Demeter guidelines, spontaneous fermentation with natural yeasts, minimal intervention in the cellar. The wines are natural, clear, and possess a purity rarely found. Her Callet-based "Sotil" is considered one of Spain's best natural wines – lean, silky, and with a freshness that shows how elegant Callet can be when the grape is left undisturbed.

In the charming winery's vinoteca, one can taste the wines directly, accompanied by tapas made from local products. A visit to Mesquida Mora is more than a wine tasting – it's a philosophy lesson.

Miquel Gelabert – The Veteran from Manacor

To understand the history of modern Mallorcan viticulture, one must visit Miquel Gelabert. Since 1985 – when there were only seven bodegas on the entire island – the former restaurant chef has been producing wines of remarkable depth and diversity on an inconspicuous side street in Manacor.

On 11 hectares of vineyards, he cultivates about 30 different grape varieties – an experimental spirit that is unparalleled. He produces 24 different wines, all with their own character. His Chardonnays and sparkling wines are among the best on the island, his Sa Caules and the Syrah Torrent Negre are classics. Miquel is a man of opinion, experience, and a curiosity that has not waned even after 40 years.

Ses Talaioles – Where Ancient History Meets Modern Cellar Technology

Halfway between Manacor and Porto Cristo lies one of Mallorca's most fascinating fincas. The approximately 100-hectare estate of the German-Dutch de Waal family houses prehistoric settlement remains of the Talayotic culture, a mighty watchtower from the 15th century – and a state-of-the-art winery with stainless steel tanks, oak barrels, and clay amphorae.

On 12 hectares of vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Syrah, Callet, Mantonegro, and recently Giró Ros are grown. Argentine winemaker Federico Zaina extracts fruit-driven, pure wines from the grapes – from the approachable "Talvín" to the powerful "Na Pujola." The daily Mediterranean wind that sweeps over the finca is their natural ally.

The Wine Route: Exploring Pla i Llevant

Unlike in Binissalem, where the wineries are close together, the bodegas of Pla i Llevant are spread over a wide area. This makes a wine tour here more of a day trip than an afternoon stroll – but an especially varied one.

A beautiful route leads from Porreres (Mesquida Mora) via Felanitx to Manacor (Miquel Gelabert) and further towards Porto Cristo (Ses Talaioles). Along the way, you pass through a landscape of vineyards, almond trees, carob trees, and small villages where time moves slower than on the coast.

In Manacor, a detour to the old town is worthwhile – the town is not only home to Miquel Gelabert but also known for its pearl factories and its lively Monday market, one of the largest on the island.

Felanitx, the unofficial wine capital of the region, has an impressive bar scene where local wines are served. And for those who need a cool-down after wine tasting, the beaches of the east coast are never far.

Pla i Llevant vs. Binissalem: Which Region Suits You?

Both regions have their charm – and the choice depends on your taste:

Do you like elegant, traditional red wines with silky tannins and delicate fruit? Then choose a Manto Negro blend from Binissalem.

Are you looking for powerful, complex red wines with dark fruit and spice notes? Then try a Callet from Pla i Llevant.

Do you love natural wine and biodynamic philosophy? Pla i Llevant is your region – Mesquida Mora is the place to go.

Do you want to experiment and discover new things? The diversity in Pla i Llevant – 30 grape varieties at a single winemaker – is unbeatable.

Do you want the most authentic Mallorca taste? Then try both. The secret of modern Mallorcan wine lies in the blend of Binissalem tradition and Pla i Llevant innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions about D.O. Pla i Llevant

What does D.O. Pla i Llevant mean? D.O. stands for Denominación de Origen – a protected designation of origin. Pla i Llevant has been Mallorca's second D.O. since 1999 and comprises 18 municipalities in the central plain and east of the island.

How many wineries belong to D.O. Pla i Llevant? Currently, 13 bodegas and around 70 winegrowers are registered in the D.O. The vineyard area is about 450 hectares.

Which grape varieties dominate in Pla i Llevant? Fogoneu is the most cultivated red variety, but Callet receives the most attention. Among the whites, Prensal Blanc dominates, increasingly supplemented by Giró Ros. A total of 19 grape varieties are permitted – significantly more than in Binissalem.

What distinguishes Pla i Llevant from Binissalem? More freedom in grape varieties (no minimum proportions), more stylistic diversity, more experimental spirit. The wines tend to be more powerful and varied than the elegant, Manto Negro-dominated wines from Binissalem.

Can you buy Pla i Llevant wines online? Yes, through specialized online shops. From July 2026, you will also find wines from hand-picked wineries from the D.O. Pla i Llevant at Gourmet Mallorca.

This article is part of our Mallorca wine guide. Also read our articles about Binissalem, the Mallorca Wine Guide, and our portraits of the indigenous grape varieties.

Would you like to try wines from Pla i Llevant? From July 2026, you will find wines from Mesquida Mora, Miquel Gelabert, Ses Talaioles, and other bodegas in our online shop. Sign up for the newsletter and be the first to know when it launches.