1931: Majorcan wine and vines are in decline despite the phylloxera years having passed. Only the romantic vision of a young adventurer such as José Luís Ferrer can explain the impulse to start up a new Majorcan bodega.
The war and post civil war only worsen matters but José Luís Ferrer´s refusal to give in remains strong. The following years are not a good moment for the slowly but continually declining wine industry with a subsistence economy based on basic livestock and farming products.
The tourist boom in the 60s does little to benefit country wine since the mass tourism industry clearly prefers mainland wines. Even so, José L. Ferrer Bodegas continue on in what could be classed as a desert crossing since only a few Majorcan producers continued to produce or opted to become distributors.
The 80s and 90s are battle years for bodegas culminating in the long-cherished denomination of origin dream for the county of Binissalem.
For many Majorcans and outsiders, José L. Ferrer Bodegas and Franja Roja, its emblematic brand, are synonymous with prestige and quality. The present recognition of these leading bodegas is not the fruit of coincidence but rather a firm bid for quality and innovation without ever forgetting roots and tradition.
The three generations of the wine-making Ferrer stock have never conformed to what history and inherited experience have provided; it is for this reason that they have always been on the look out to enrich the received legacy. In this way, from the grandfather José Luís Ferrer Ramonell to the grandchildren Sebastián and José Luís Roses, all have travelled abroad to discover and, where applicable, apply new wine ideas and techniques from around the world.
The bodega has not lost any of its planned typicality or authenticity from the time of its founder until the present day; nonetheless, the end result has been greatly improved. Advanced facilities combining the best modern and traditional techniques and, especially, truly living the passion of wine passed down in the blood throughout the generations have seen local and overseas markets recognising our quality.
Centuries of tradition from an entire land and passion alongside the family´s effort lie behind the name of José L. Ferrer. Light and magic, countryside and country folk, culture and ingenuity, soul and earth, vines and audacity made into wine is essentially what is uncorked with each bottle from our cellar.