Every September, the town of Binissalem in Mallorca transforms into a vibrant celebration of wine, culture, and community. The Mallorca Binissalem Wine Festival 2026, known locally as the Festa des Vermar, is a unique harvest celebration that immerses visitors in the island's rich winemaking traditions.
"If you have ever wanted to experience Mallorca beyond the beach, this is exactly the kind of deep, people-first island experience that stays with you long after the tan fades."
The Story of Festa des Vermar
A Celebration of Harvest and Heritage
The term "vermar" represents the grape harvest in the Mallorcan dialect, and the Festa des Vermar is a true harvest festival. This annual event marks the culmination of a year’s labor in the vineyards, celebrated with food, drink, dance, and the infamous grape battle.
Binissalem serves as the perfect backdrop, being at the heart of Mallorca's wine-growing region. The region's limestone plains and Mediterranean climate are ideal for producing some of Spain's most distinctive wines.
The Binissalem Denomination of Origin (DO Binissalem Mallorca) encompasses five municipalities: Binissalem, Consell, Santa Eugenia, Santa Maria del Camí, and Sencelles.
Despite a devastating phylloxera outbreak in the late 19th century, which reduced vineyard land from over 40,000 hectares to around 2,500 today, the wine culture remains robust and celebrated.
The Festival's History
From Private Gatherings to a Grand Celebration
The Binissalem grape harvest fiestas began in the mid-1960s as intimate gatherings for wine enthusiasts. Today, it spans nearly three weeks, featuring competitions, cultural performances, and the island's most famous food fight.
Winemaking in Mallorca predates the modern festival, with historical evidence showing that wine production continued even during Arab rule, underscoring its importance in the island's culture.
2026 Dates and Event Structure
Planning Your Visit to the Festival
The official programme for the 2026 Binissalem Wine Festival will be available in late summer at www.ajbinissalem.net. However, the traditional structure offers a reliable guide:
- Early to mid-September: Opening events, workshops, and cultural programming.
- Second weekend of September (approx. 13–14 September 2026): Proclamation ceremony and early events.
- Third weekend of September (approx. 19–20 September 2026): The Gran Batalla de Raïm (Grape Battle).
- Final weekend of September (approx. 26–27 September 2026): The Fira del Vi (Wine Fair), parade, and main wine-tasting event.
The festival spans approximately three weekends, with additional events confirmed from 11 September through the final weekend.
The Gran Batalla de Raïm
Mallorca's Wildest Wine Tradition
The Gran Batalla de Raïm is the festival's highlight. Each year, around 10,000 kilos of grapes are thrown in a joyful chaos that transforms the streets of Binissalem.
The event is expected on the third Saturday of September, around 19 September 2026. It begins formally but quickly becomes a lively spectacle.
- Wear clothes you do not mind destroying. Grape juice stains permanently.
- Bring goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot in the square.
- Join in enthusiastically. Participation is key to the experience.
The Fira del Vi
The Wine Fair at the Heart of the Harvest
The Fira del Vi, expected around 26–27 September 2026, marks the festival's culmination with:
- Tastings of Binissalem DO wines from local bodegas.
- The traditional grape-treading contest (trepitjar raïm).
- The grand parade with floats, dancers, and traditional costumes.
- A dance evening with live music at 22:00 in the village square.
The wine fair is held at Parc de Sa Rectoria and surrounding streets, starting Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday.
The Wines of Binissalem DO
Distinctive Flavors of the Balearic Islands
The festival celebrates wines from the Binissalem Denomination of Origin, known for unique grape varieties:
- Manto Negro, a flagship red grape with deep color and spice.
- Callet, producing aromatic red wines.
- Moll (Prensal Blanc), offering fresh, mineral whites.
- Giro Ros, used in both dry and sweet wines.
These wines are crafted by family-run bodegas across the DO municipalities, including Bodegas José Ferrer and Celler Sebastià Pastor.
What Else is Happening Around the Festival
A Month of Cultural Celebration
The Festa des Vermar is part of a broader cultural programme in Binissalem, featuring:
- Workshops and exhibitions in public spaces.
- Concerts and outdoor performances throughout the festival.
- Traditional Mallorcan folk dances (ball de bot).
- Parades and processions including the Queen of the Harvest ceremony.
- Religious ceremonies using grape must from the contest.
Binissalem itself offers attractions like an 18th-century parish church and charming wine cellars open year-round.
Travel Tips for Visiting Binissalem in September 2026
Making the Most of Your Festival Experience
Visiting the Mallorca Binissalem Wine Festival 2026 offers a unique island experience:
- Stay in Palma or Binissalem. Binissalem is about 30 minutes from Palma by car or train.
- Book accommodation early. September is high season, and festival weekends fill up quickly.
- Choose your weekend carefully. The Grape Battle is on the third weekend, while the wine fair is on the last weekend.
- Visit the DO wineries. Many offer tastings and tours during the festival and year-round.
- Check the official programme. The full schedule is published at www.ajbinissalem.net.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event Name: Mallorca Binissalem Wine Festival 2026 (Festa des Vermar).
- Category: Wine festival, grape harvest fiesta.
- Festival Season: Most of September 2026.
- Expected Key Dates: Opening events from 11 September 2026; Gran Batalla de Raïm on 19 September 2026; Fira del Vi on 26–27 September 2026.
- Venue: Binissalem town centre, Parc de Sa Rectoria.
- Wine Region: DO Binissalem Mallorca.
- Organizer: Ajuntament de Binissalem.
- Ticket/Entry Information: Most events are free; wine tasting may have a small fee.
- Official Programme: Available at www.ajbinissalem.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Things People Always Want to Know
When is the Binissalem Wine Festival 2026 in Mallorca?
The Binissalem Wine Festival 2026 (Festa des Vermar) runs across most of September 2026. The Grape Battle (Gran Batalla de Raïm) is expected around Saturday 19 September 2026, and the Fira del Vi wine fair is expected over the final weekend of September, around 26–27 September 2026.
Where does the Binissalem Wine Festival take place?
All main events are in Binissalem town centre, with the Grape Battle in Plaza de la Iglesia and the wine fair at Parc de Sa Rectoria, both in the heart of Binissalem, 07350 Mallorca, Balearic Islands.
What is the Gran Batalla de Raïm and how do I take part?
The Gran Batalla de Raïm is the festival's famous Grape Battle, where approximately 10,000 kilos of grapes are thrown between participants in the streets of Binissalem. It is fully open to visitors who want to join, and takes place on the third Saturday of September. Wearing expendable clothing and eye protection is strongly recommended.
How do I get to Binissalem from Palma, Mallorca?
Binissalem is around 30 minutes from Palma by car and is also accessible on Mallorca's train line from Palma toward Inca, making it easy to visit as a day trip from the capital or from resort areas on the south coast.
What wines can I taste at the Binissalem Wine Festival 2026?
The festival showcases wines produced under the DO Binissalem Mallorca designation, including reds made from native varieties Manto Negro and Callet, whites from Moll (Prensal Blanc), and sweet wines from Giro Ros, presented by local bodegas from the five municipalities of the designation.


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