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Blacknose
From the ashes, something new emerges. When the worst forest fire in Ibiza's history swept across the north of the island in 2011, it exposed centuries-old dry stone walls – and two Swiss brothers saw their opportunity. Blacknose is the name of the winery that Peter and Tino Lehner have been managing at 320 metres altitude ever since: Ibiza's highest vineyard. The name? A homage to the Valais Blacknose sheep from their homeland in the Lötschental. With Syrah, Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon, they produce organically certified red wines here that combine Mediterranean warmth with Alpine precision.
More about Blacknose
When Ash Becomes Wine
In May 2011, a careless beekeeper with his smoker caused what would go down in history as Ibiza's worst fire disaster. Over 1,500 hectares of pine forest burned in a single day and night, until the sea brought the flames to a halt. For Peter and Tino Lehner, who spend part of each year on the island, it could have been the beginning of the end. Instead, it became a new beginning: the flames exposed centuries-old dry stone walls, so-called "Muros Secos", which once supported terraces for agriculture. A professional soil analysis confirmed what the brothers hoped – the soils in the Morna Valley were ideal for viticulture. So they cleared away the charred scrub, restored the historic stone walls stone by stone, and planted their first vines.
Today the Lehners manage 2.5 hectares of vineyards at 320 metres altitude, plus 100 olive trees. It is Ibiza's highest producing vineyard, and the cool nights at this elevation preserve the wine's freshness – despite the Mediterranean sun.
Valais Roots in the Mediterranean
The Lehner brothers hail from the Lötschental in Valais, where their family runs the Hotel Alpenclub in Engelberg. Their hearts beat for the great red wines of the Rhône Valley – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Valais Syrah. They have brought this passion to Ibiza. Two-fifths of their vines are Syrah, two-fifths Monastrell, one-fifth Cabernet Sauvignon. A southern French cuvée under Spanish sun.
The name Blacknose? A nod to the Blacknose sheep, that semi-wild breed from the remote valleys above the Rhône. With their distinctive black faces and shaggy white fleece, they are a symbol of the rugged beauty of Valais – and of the Lehners' connection to their homeland, even as they make wine on a Mediterranean island.
Craftsmanship Without Compromise
Only a few thousand bottles leave the winery each year. The grapes are hand-picked and selected, fermented in stainless steel, then aged for 12 months in used French barriques – and a further 12 months in the bottle. At 15 per cent alcohol, the Blacknose Vino Tinto is a powerful wine that carries its warmth elegantly: ripe fruit, Mediterranean spices, supple tannins and – thanks to the altitude – a vibrant acidity that holds everything together.
Organic From the Start
The Lehners have worked organically from the first vine. Since 2021, they have additionally followed biodynamic principles. In addition to wine, they produce olive oil from their own trees and even honey. On the sister island of Mallorca, Mesquida Mora pursues a similarly uncompromising approach – the Balearic Islands are developing into a hotspot for ambitious, nature-based viticulture away from mass tourism.
When you open the Blacknose in the magnum bottle, you sense that this is not holiday romance at work, but genuine conviction. A wine that tells of a forest fire, of Swiss perseverance and the power of new beginnings.