Today, you will visit the wine country and head to the northern coast after a rustic lamb restaurant in the mountains that TV celebrity chef Rick Stein said was “the best lamb he’d ever tasted.” After that, your adventure begins near Inca, Mallorca’s shoe and leather capital, with over 100 shoe showrooms and luxury leather outlets (if you want to allocate time for shopping, let us know).
The first winery of the day is Finca Son Bordils, which makes some of our favorite Mallorcan wines. Vineyards have been cultivated on this property for wine production since the 1400s. Still, it was not until the late 1990s that the owners (Pedro and Ramón Coll) rejuvenated the estate, planted native and international varietals on their 34 hectares, and made significant investments that helped catapult their wines onto the international stage. They make a range of mono-varietal wines and blends under the “Vi de la Terra Mallorca” appellation, using Muscat, Chardonnay, Merlot, Manto Negro, Callet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. You’ll enjoy a private tour and extensive tasting, and if you’re lucky, owner Rámon might be on-site for a chat. He is a history buff and a great character.
After your late wine “breakfast,” the pouring will continue next at the boutique, family-run Son Prim wine estate. The Son Prim winery was founded in the early ’90s by one of Mallorca’s wine visionaries, Jaime Llabrés. He began with a tiny plot where he tested the terroir conditions with native grape varietals like Prensal and international grapes like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Later, they incorporated Tempranillo, Northern Spain’s noble red grape, into their successful red blend “Cup.” Finally, in the early 2000s, they decided to go for a high-level/low-yield winemaking approach, and today, they are considered one of the best wineries on the island. On their inviting terrace overlooking the vines, you will enjoy a private tour of the stylish winery and a tasting of their entire range, accompanied by Mallorcan canapés. Then it’s time for a special lunch!
Today’s lunch is rustic, no-frills, authentic in a kitsch 1970s tacky kind of way (think paper napkins and farm utensils decorating the walls), and yet it is “a must” while in Mallorca- slow-cooked lamb shoulder roasted on a wood fire, at Es Verger. Your chauffeur will smoothly navigate you toward the picturesque hills, going up towards the Castell Alaró, taking in jaw-dropping views of the mountains as you wind your way up the curvy, James Bond-esque road.
You will be pleased to have a private, experienced chauffeur so you can sit back and relax. On arrival, apart from “those views!” you’ll be hit by the aromas from the “horno de leña” (wood-burning oven). You will swiftly sit down on the terrace with spectacular mountain views to a satisfying lunch of ‘Paletilla de Cordero’ (the famous lamb shoulder), roast potatoes, garlicky aioli, and salad, with homemade almond tart to finish. Simple pleasures. This is the good life!
The quaint town of Pollença is your last stop today, very close to your luxury rural hotel retreat, and you’ll have free time to enjoy a digestive stroll, glass of wine, shopping, and photo ops. This enchanting small town dates back to Ancient Roman times and is a delight to visit with its narrow cobblestoned streets, sculptures, gardens, villas, medieval towers, Templar churches, and 15th-century sanctuary. If you want to rev up your appetite for dinner, you can climb the flight of 365 cypress-lined stone steps (one for each day of the year) up to the chapel, where you will be rewarded with an outstanding panoramic view over the sea. When you are ready to head to your hotel, your chauffeur will take you on the short drive there and get you settled in.
You will feel so pampered at this exquisite Son Brull Relais & Chateaux Hotel and Spa in a former monastery and now one of Mallorca’s best countryside luxury hotels. You can enjoy a spa treatment or massage, walk through the gardens, drink by the pool at sunset, and dine in their superb restaurant.