The winery is located near the municipality of Alaró on the Balearic island of Mallorca, high up in the Tramuntana mountains. The name is derived from the owner's first name (Spanish spelling for "Michael"). It is owned by the German family-owned company Bionorica (the world's leading manufacturer of herbal medicines) in Neumarkt, Upper Palatinate. Today, the company is run by Prof. Dr. Michael A. Popp, the third generation of the family. He explains the objective of the new wine business: "Our goal is to produce wine that is an international leader in both its sensual and health-promoting dimensions." The purchase in 1998 of the "Es Castellet" estate, which was in danger of falling into disrepair, laid the foundation for high-quality wines. Major investments were made in vineyards, vines, modern technology and production/bottling facilities. Núria Tuduri is the oenologist in charge.
The vineyards, which are spread over several areas, cover a total of 38 hectares. The centrepiece is a 3.8-hectare steep slope where the vines grow on an ancient stone staircase that has been painstakingly restored. The wines grown here are appropriately named "Stairway to Heaven". The varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc are cultivated. The vineyards are cultivated according to the rules of organic viticulture. This includes the promotion of beneficial insects as well as a minimal use of chemical agents.
Under the brand name "Castell Miquel", mainly red wines are pressed, but also white wines. The red wines are fermented in ultra-modern macerators with oak sheathing. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are aged for 12 months in Hungarian and French barrique barrels. The wines are marketed in the IGP (Landwein) Serra de Tramuntana-Costa Nord quality category (from the island of Mallorca). Since 2007, a cava(sparkling wine) has also been produced from Syrah. There are another 18 hectares of vines in Porreres, from where an IGP Illes Baleares wine is produced. And in the DO area of Binissalem, 15.5 hectares are cultivated. The bottles are filled with the Vinolok glass stopper. As with a medicine, the ingredients that are beneficial to health are scientifically analysed and (à la the package insert) indicated on the back label. Around 180,000 bottles of wine are produced annually.
