The Tuscany Brut Nature cider, produced by Vicente Oliver Marrero Arencibia in Gran Canaria, has been named Best Cider of the Canary Islands 2026 at the Official Agrocanarias Competition, an event organised by the Canary Islands Institute for Agri-Food Quality (ICCA) in collaboration with Valleseco Town Council.
The Gran Canaria entry was one of the big winners at this third edition of the competition, having secured not only the competition’s top prize but also the special award for Best Image and Presentation 2026, as well as two Gold Medals – one in the natural ciders category and the other in the sparkling ciders category.
Eleven awards in recognition of the quality of Canarian ciders
The tasting panel awarded a total of eleven prizes at this year’s event, three more than last year. The medal tally comprised two Grand Gold Medals, three Gold Medals, three Silver Medals and three special awards.
Among the most notable accolades is also the award for Best Organic Cider in the Canary Islands 2026, presented to El Lagar de Valleseco Espumosa, produced by Ángel Tomás Domínguez Ponce in Gran Canaria.
Meanwhile, La Mirla Sidrera Gasificada, from the Castro & Magán winery on La Palma, won a Grand Gold Medal, as well as a Gold Medal in the sparkling cider category.
The Silver Medals in the natural cider category went to La Mirla Sidrera, by Castro & Magán (La Palma), Fierro, produced by Juan Déniz Reyes, and El Valle Secreto, by Sendero del Valle, both from Gran Canaria.
A growing and increasingly well-established sector
The jury’s decision was announced by Narvay Quintero, the Canary Islands Government’s Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty; Luis Arráez Guadalupe, Director of the ICCA; and José Luis Rodríguez Quintana, Mayor of Valleseco.
This year’s event featured 23 ciders from seven producers across the archipelago: 18 from Gran Canaria, four from La Palma and one from Tenerife. The entries were divided into three categories: natural ciders, carbonated ciders and sparkling ciders.
During the presentation of the results, Narvay Quintero highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Agrocanarias in raising the profile of the archipelago’s high-quality products and showcasing the work of a sector that has achieved significant recognition in national and international competitions.
The councillor pointed out that Canarian cider has evolved significantly in recent years, moving from being an emerging industry to establishing itself as an agri-food sector with its own distinct identity. Currently, the Canary Islands have around twenty cider mills spread across Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro.
Valleseco, a leading name in cider production in the Canary Islands
The mayor of Valleseco, José Luis Rodríguez Quintana, highlighted the commitment made fifteen years ago to apple cultivation and the development of cider production in the municipality – a strategy that is generating significant benefits both for the agri-food sector and for the economy of the rural inland areas of Gran Canaria.
He also highlighted the 4th Valleseco Cider Fair and the recent organisation of the 1st Canary Islands Cider Forum, initiatives which continue to strengthen the promotion and professionalisation of the sector.
For his part, the director of the ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, pointed out that this third edition of the competition helps to raise the profile of a sector closely linked to the use of local apples, the work of small-scale producers and the diversification of the Canary Islands’ agri-food sector.
Tuscany: a family story that has become a benchmark for quality
Founded in 2022, Sidras Tuscany grew out of a family tradition linked to apple growing in Valleseco. Since its inception, the company has been committed to the continuous improvement of its production processes, incorporating new production techniques and expanding its offering to include agritourism experiences that allow visitors to see the artisanal production process at first hand.
Its range includes natural, carbonated and sparkling ciders, all made from apples grown in the municipality of Gran Canaria.
Tuscany Brut Nature cider, recognised this year as the Best Cider in the Canary Islands, is produced using the traditional or ‘champenoise’ method, with a second fermentation in the bottle and no added sugar. The result is a dry, balanced and elegant cider, characterised by fine, persistent bubbles, great freshness and a remarkable aromatic complexity that reflects the character of the local apples and the meticulous production process.
The quality of this product had already been recognised at national and international competitions. Among other awards, it won a Silver Medal at the International Gala Cider Show (SISGA), held in Asturias, and a Bronze Medal at the Sagardo Forum 2025 international competition, held in the Basque Country.
With these new accolades won at Agrocanarias 2026, Tuscany has consolidated its position as one of the leading names in the Canary Islands’ cider sector and confirmed the excellent state of cider production on the islands.
