Lanzarote, the Canaries' most easterly island, boasts some of Spain's most distinctive and spectacular landscape. Over the centre of the island spreads a vast expanse of black solidified lava. No weeds or vegetation can grow there, but the outer edges of the lava field provide a unique vineyard terroir rich in volcanic ash called lapilli where vines are planted in hollows (hoyos) or trenches (zanjas ).

Their roots reach underneath the ash to the soil below. Each hollow is surrounded by a cairn (abrigo) to protect it from the prevailing Saharan winds. Malvasía is planted in more than three-quarters of the vineyards. Modern winemaking techniques will help the DO's winemakers achieve new quality levels in coming years.