Former Manchester City football sensation, David Silva, who recently bid adieu to the world of professional football due to a knee injury, has now set his sights on achieving success in the world of winemaking on his home island of Gran Canaria.
Silva, a beloved figure at both Manchester City and Real Sociedad, has devoted his energy to nurturing Bodegas Tamerán, a winery and a sprawling six-hectare vineyard he acquired four years ago on the picturesque Gran Canaria island.
Perched at elevations of 600-700 meters above sea level, Silva’s vineyard boasts south-facing slopes enriched with sandy volcanic soils, making it an ideal terroir for cultivating a diverse range of local grape varieties. Among the grapes grown are Verdello, Marmajuelo, Baboso Blanco, Vijariego Blanco, Malvasía Aromática, Malvasía Volcánica, and Vijariego Negro.
At Bodegas Tamerán, the winemaking process is meticulously executed in accordance with organic farming practices, with guidance from experienced winemaker Jonatan Garcia, who also owns the renowned Suertes del Marques winery in Tenerife.
Reflecting on the unlikely genesis of their collaboration, Winemaker Garcia recounted how Silva initially reached out to him on Twitter with a proposition about venturing into the wine business. “He sent me a message in 2019 when he was playing for City,” Garcia shared with The Mirror. “He congratulated me on one of my wines he was enjoying. I was so taken aback; I thought it might be a fake account. However, we struck up a conversation, and that’s when our friendship blossomed, leading to our partnership.”
Silva himself traced his introduction to the world of wine to his former teammate and close friend, Sisi, during his time at Valencia. “I began purchasing wines from Madrid and having them shipped over to Manchester,” he recalled. “Then I met Jonatan, and from that moment, it was a revelation. My mind was opened to this incredible world of wine. I acquired the vineyard four years ago, initially comprising only the vines, with the cellar coming later.”
In a testament to his hands-on approach, Silva actively participated in this year’s harvest, contributing to the grape-picking efforts in the vineyard located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, in the southeast of Gran Canaria.
Tamerán’s fine wines are exclusively imported by Indigo Wine in London, an enterprise that underscores the winery’s mission to craft “refreshing, mineral wines which resonate with the island’s unique microclimate, volcanic soils, and indigenous grape varieties.”
David Silva’s journey from the football pitch to the vineyard is poised to be one filled with dedication, passion, and the pursuit of excellence, continuing to captivate the hearts and palates of fans and wine enthusiasts alike.
