Macià Batle cleans up at CIVAS — two 'Gran Oro' awards and praise for Mallorca

Macià Batle cleans up at CIVAS — two 'Gran Oro' awards and praise for Mallorca

As the sun on Friday afternoon still warmed the plum trees behind the bodega and the Tramuntana sent only a cautious breeze, the news arrived at the vinothek in Carrer Major: Macià Batle had done very well at CIVAS. Anyone strolling through Santa Maria now hears no loud honking, but the soft clinking of glasses — and occasionally a triumphant laugh from the bottling hall.

The awarded wines — what happens in the glass

The jury awarded two wines the highest category Gran Oro: the Col·lecció Privada 2020 and the Gran Selecció Chardonnay-Premsal Blanc. In addition, several gold medals went to bottlings such as the Gran Selecció Premsal and the Margalida Llompart Blanc, as well as some other vintages that now shine with small gold stickers.

For those who like to taste: the Col·lecció Privada 2020 shows notes of ripe peaches, a touch of roasted vanilla and a compact but elegant tannin structure — a wine that wants to linger longer at the table. The Chardonnay-Premsal dazzles with citrus, white flowers and a surprising roundness on the palate that immediately makes you reach for another bottle.

Why CIVAS matters for an island winery

CIVAS is not a local club: only nominated bodegas may compete, and the selection is strict. An award here is therefore more than a pretty label — it signals to the outside world that Mallorcan wine can hold its own on a national level. In the vinothek I heard winemakers and staff swinging between dry humour and honest pride. One employee laughed: “A prize doesn't replace a cleaner, but it brings visitors.”

This has tangible consequences: visitors who previously chose beach and sangria now more often head for the island's interior, stay for cellar tours, buy bottles directly from the estate and ask about vintages. Such sales are not only about prestige — they fill the tills, secure jobs and set regional supply chains in motion.

What this means for Mallorca

Macià Batle's victories are one piece in a larger puzzle. The more island wines are recognized at competitions, the greater the interest in Mallorcan origin, terroir and grape varieties like Premsal or Callet. This changes the tours: on rainy mornings, I have observed buses suddenly in the vineyards instead of along the coast. A small part of the island's economy benefits directly from this — and it's felt not only by the winemakers but also by restaurants and rural businesses.

Of course it's still handiwork: in the bottling hall they will continue to taste, discard and refine. Awards are a catalyst, not an endpoint. And while the bottles with gold stickers shine on the shelves, work in the cellar goes on — sometimes under the typical smell of must, wood and a touch of optimism.

Looking ahead — and a tip for visitors

Macià Batle will surely communicate the successes — on the website, on shelves and during tours. For wine lovers the best remains: you can drop by, taste and see how wine is made on the island. The staff explain the varieties calmly, sometimes with a wink, and often with a small anecdote from everyday life at the bodega.

Those who want to taste the awarded wines should reserve shortly in advance — otherwise you might end up standing with a glass in your hand and a smile ruffled by the Tramuntana wind.