The Labour councillor in the Tenerife Island Council, Javier Parrilla, has urged the island Corporation’s president, Rosa Dávila, to find a permanent solution for the small family wineries of Bodegas Insulares, which currently consist of around 300 producers.
On December 29, the Governing Council decided to terminate the concession that Bodegas Insulares de Tenerife – jointly owned by the Cabildo and these small winegrowers – holds over the Bodega Insular de Tenerife, leaving them unable to continue their operations.
As a result, Rosa Dávila’s administration chose not to extend the management contract without consulting the Wine Roundtable, hindering the production of top national and international brands, according to the PSOE.
“The new lease agreement for Bodegas Insulares’ facilities, expected to be approved by the Governing Council this week, does not solve the issue faced by the entity Bodegas Insulares de Tenerife (BITSA), but merely delays it,” explained Javier Parrilla, who had previously raised concerns on behalf of the small winegrowers. He stressed that these growers contribute significantly to the production of wine in the DOP Tacoronte Acentejo and Icoden Daute Ysora.
“The new lease terms will impose a significant financial burden and potential losses on the winegrowers in these regions,” warned the councillor. He highlighted that the previous administration, led by Pedro Martín, had proposed a solution involving property exchanges between the participating entity and the council. This would allow the council to retain ownership of the wineries in Guía de Isora and Icod for forest fire prevention and road maintenance facilities, while the entity would retain the Tacoronte facilities.
“We urge the Council to act swiftly on this matter. Rather than prioritising the new contract over its extension, a definitive solution should have been sought. The focus should be on resolving the issue rather than deferring it,” he added.
“Dávila has once again created a problem instead of offering solutions, leading to an urgent call for a new public tender for the lease. It is imperative to work towards the permanent solution planned by Pedro Martín’s administration,” Javier Parrilla emphasised.
However, Javier Parrilla remains optimistic, stating that “the PSOE of Tenerife is confident that a simple and prompt solution is possible” and that “we have assurances that Bodegas Insulares will pay a fair price for the grapes harvested this year.” Bodegas Insulares has committed to collecting grapes from Tacoronte-Acentejo, Isora, and Icod.
If the Cabildo decides not to extend the concession in December 2023, arguing that the economic activity is no longer justified despite other activities like casinos and electric car charging points, there will be a 9-month eviction period.
“In response to this, the PSOE of Tenerife, advocating for small winegrowers, demands a definitive solution akin to our proposal during the Pedro Martín administration,” stressed Javier Parrilla.
