In the north, flanked by an impressive rocky barrier overlooking the ocean, one finds green and fertile landscapes, cultivated lands and on the higher grounds, a forest of wild laurels like in the Jurassic era.
In the south, on the opposite, one finds a desert - lava plains, scattered with some pine trees, descending to the Ocean.
In 2000 the whole island was classified by Unesco "Biosphere Reserve".
Until 1884, the Zero Meridian was running along the island, for before America was discovered, it was the westernmost point of the known world.
Wine has been made on El Hierro since 1526;bBut until recently, it was mainly transformed into alcohol to quench the thirst of Spanish colonies.
The total area under vines today is only 500 hectares.One finds thelm in the norther part as well as in the south, mainly on hills or terraces, between 200 and 700m above sea-level.
The whole island is of volcanic origin - El Hierro is the youngest of the Canary Islands, and traces of volcanic activity are still to be found, especially in the south.
The name of the island derives from the colour of the dark red volcanic soils, visible in many spots.
The DO El Hierro was founded in 1995 and today there are 6 estates on the island. The arrival of Viñatigo, from Tenerife, who founded the Tanajara bodega, in 2003, gave a great impulse to the local viticulture.