Gold and Silver for Macià Batle: Santa Maria Winery Shines at Baco Blind Tasting

Gold and Silver for Macià Batle: Santa Maria Winery Shines at Baco Blind Tasting

Young 2025 vintages bring recognition halfway between Palma and Inca

In the early afternoon, when the bells of Santa Maria still reverberate softly and the bakery on the village square lays fresh ensaimadas on the cloths, the courtyard of Bodega Macià Batle is often alive: visitors, a winemaker conversation, the sound of a guitar string. This mix of craftsmanship and everyday life now carries an official note: at the current Baco edition, the competition for young wines, three medals went to the cellar.

The highest distinction was awarded to the red young wine "Maceración Carbónica Tinto 2025" – the jury granted it the gold medal. The successes are complemented by two silver medals for the "Blanc de Blancs" and the "Rosado 2025." Notable: the red label of the Tinto is adorned with an illustration by the artist Jaume Vilardell, a little piece of art that immediately stands out on the shelf.

Behind the award is a nationally noticed panel: the "Spanish Association of Tasters" (UEC) organizes the Baco tasting in Madrid and operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Agriculture. Only young wines from the 2025 vintage are evaluated; the samples arrive at the jurors in opaque covers so that origin and producer remain concealed. Around 55 experts take part in the evaluation – sommeliers, oenologists and wine tasters – a procedure that relies on neutrality and comparability.

Of interest to local patriots: the transport of the submitted bottles to Madrid was coordinated by the competition organization. This meant Macià Batle was completely excluded from the logistics of sample delivery – a point often raised in discussions about competition fairness.

What does the result mean for Mallorca? In short: visibility. Wine here is more than a bottle; it belongs to the island's rhythm. Successes at national competitions sharpen producers' profiles and help make Mallorca's wine better known beyond the island's coast. For visitors who travel to Santa Maria in summer, it's another reason to visit the winery, join a tour, or order a bottle at the annual benefit summer concert under the moonlight.

The effect is felt in everyday island life: restaurateurs put the awarded vintages on their menus, small shops by the plaça sell the bottles, and at a café on Carrer Major you can hear discussions about which dish pairs best with the Tinto. Some pair it with grilled lamb, others with sobrasada and a robust cheese plate, similar to experiences described in Bodegas Sa Cabana: An Intense Wine Experience in Binissalem. That's typically Mallorcan: regional products meet a lived dining culture.

For winemakers on Mallorca the award is also a signal: young wines have a chance to be noticed, as reflected in Macià Batle cleans up at CIVAS — two 'Gran Oro' awards and praise for Mallorca. That can help with investments, exports or attracting guests who travel specifically for wine. At the same time, it is a reminder to keep quality consistent – from the vine to the bottling.

For those who want to visit: the bodega is practically halfway between Palma and Inca, easily reachable and often the setting for Winery Concerts at Macià Batle: Autumn Season Begins on September 28 and tastings. A visit on a mild evening, when cicadas hum and the streetlights come on, is a genuine island experience. Buy, taste, chat a little – that's how success brings visible joy to the neighborhood.

Conclusion: the medals are more than decoration on the shelf. They are a vote of confidence for Macià Batle and a small boost for Mallorca's wine industry. And for us residents, a welcome reason to raise our glasses – at home, on the terrace or during a walk through Santa Maria.