Go Artesano

In Menorca, an arader was an artisan who specialised in making wooden, agricultural tools and equipment. The word comes from arada (plough), originally referring to someone who made or repaired ploughs. The task of the arader has been key to Menorcan society since the time of the Romans, who colonised the island in 123 BC and were responsible for the introduction of the plow, used to till the brutally rocky Menorcan land. Over time, the arader craft extended beyond the creation of the wooden plow, to other essential farm items: carts, handles, yokes, and especially the sturdy wooden gates that sit elegantly between the island’s iconic dry stone walls.

To be an arader was once a widespread trade in Menorca’s rural society, but today only a handful of artisans keep it alive, focusing mostly on the creation of Menorca's distinctive gates, found throughout the countryside on the island and now gaining popularity among tourists due to their beautiful aesthetic and durability.

Finding and harvesting the ullastre (wild olive wood, native to Menorca), used to make these spectacular gates, is an art in-and-of-itself and totally sustainable. The trees are cut after the full moon in January and again in August, because this is when the tree produces the best wood. But when you cut down a wild olive, you don’t kill it, it sprouts again within months, and in 10 to 15 years it can be cut again. By using this durable, hard wood, these beautiful, functional gates will last between 20 and 30 years, sometimes longer.

For information on how to order a Menorcan gate or find a local artisan who makes them, contact Go Menorca. 

Artesanal Gin 

No name is more synonymous with Menorcan gin than Xoriguer (pronounced shore-ee-gay), founded in Mahón in the 18th century and still proudly operating today, using the original recipe and one of Europe’s oldest gin distilleries still in operation. Inside the distillery, located in the Port of Mahón, the traditional copper stills bubble quietly, a wood furnace burns and multi-generational methods are still in use. A visit to Xoriguer distillery in Mahón is an immersion into history and aroma, with tastings that guide you through the layers of this unique flavour - a recommended experience. 

 

Above: the antique but still-in-use copper stills at Gin Xoriguer in the Port of Mahón

Pons Quintana

Founded in 1953 in Alaior, in the heart of Menorca, Pons Quintana began as a family workshop making slippers and children’s shoes, later expanding into high-end women’s footwear. Still family owned and operated, the brand is especially known for its hand-braided leather sandals, boots, and handbags, crafted with meticulous detail and blending tradition with contemporary design. Strips of leather are hand-braided in intricate patterns, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The braiding is not only decorative but also part of the product's construction. Because of the hand work, every piece is somewhat unique and always beautiful. Today, Pons Quintana is one of Menorca’s most prestigious fashion exports, sold in boutiques around the world but still rooted in island craftsmanship.

Las Avarcas

In Menorca, the iconic avarca sandal stands as a testament to the island's rich history and enduring commitment to craftsmanship. Originally designed to be adaptable to the Menorcan climate and terrain, and worn by farmers, shepherds and field workers, avarcas have evolved into a symbol of the island's heritage, embraced by locals and visitors alike. 

The avarca's roots can be traced back to Menorca's agrarian communities, where the need for durable and comfortable footwear in hot weather was paramount. Early avarcas featured leather uppers and soles, providing the necessary sturdiness for daily tasks. Over time, with the advent of industrial materials, recycled rubber from car tires was incorporated into the soles, enhancing durability and comfort. Now, recycled marine plastic is being utilised to make Castell's Ocean line of avarcas.

Avarcas are meticulously handcrafted by local artisans to this day, preserving traditional methods, while adapting to contemporary tastes. Family-owned brands such as Castell Menorca, Ria Menorca, and Avarcas Pons are renowned for their dedication to quality and authenticity. These manufacturers source leather locally and employ skilled artisans, ensuring that each pair reflects the island's heritage. The "Avarca de Menorca" label guarantees that the sandals are genuinely made on the island, adhering to established quality standards.

Olive Oil

Artisanal, small batch olive oil is widely produced in Menorca and is notably delicious. The island's climatic conditions are optimal for olive growing: long hours of sunshine, orchards located on plains close to sea level and exposed to the north wind, and the predominantly calcareous soils, enriched with minerals provided by sea salt, which promote the richness of the oil's aromatic components.

The predominant olive varieties grown on the island are Arbequina, Picual, Koroneiki and Empeltre, among others. The oils from Menorca are characterized by being of excellent quality, with fruity and almond aromas, and intense bitter and spicy touches. 

Llucasaldent
Llucasaldent is not only a luxury adults-only agroturismo and home to one of the island's best restaurants, but it also produces some of the best olive oil on the island. A rigorous selection of olives from the estate are harvested and cold-extracted on the same day from one of the finca's approximately 800 olive trees. Cold-pressed using mechanical methods to ensure maximum quality and preservation of its properties, this olive oil not only has a delicious flavour and excellent balance, but also has many nutrients. The Llucasaldent oil is characterised by a green-yellow hue and intense fresh fruity aromas, reflecting the excellent health of the olives and precise timing of harvest.

Morvedra
From the Morvedra Vell Estate, you can gaze across rolling groves of wild olive trees that stretch all the way to the island’s untouched beaches of Cala Turqueta and Cala Macarella. The island’s famous tramontana wind sweeps down from the north, carrying salty sea air that infuses the olives with a distinctive, natural aroma. At Morvedra Vell, the olive trees are nurtured using ecological farming methods, honoring the rich Menorcan soil. In partnership with the NGO Grup Balear d’Ornitologia, the estate follows sustainable practices that protect biodiversity and champion regenerative agriculture, ensuring this corner of Menorca remains as pristine and vibrant as ever.

Ses Talaies
Ses Talaies' Arbequina variety oil is distinguished by its smoothness, fruity notes and subtle bitter and spicy nuances. Its intense golden colour and fluid texture evoke the freshness of olives. Low in oleic acid and high in linoleic acid, it is a very healthy extra virgin olive oil that is a real nutritional treasure. Ideal for accompanying fish, salads, vegetables, pasta and rice dishes, it is also exquisite in its natural state, enhancing the flavour of a good slice of freshly baked bread. 

Above: Llucasaldent's olive orchard

Cheese

No write-up on the artisan trades of Menorca would be complete without mentioning the island's award winning, world-renowned artisanal cheese, Queso Mahón-Menorca. This special cheese carries the salty sea breeze and the richness of the island’s pastures in every bite. Crafted by hand using age-old methods, its flavour ranges from buttery and mild in its younger form to complex, sharp, and nutty as it matures. With its distinctive orange rind, brushed with olive oil and paprika, this cheese is not just food—it’s a taste of Menorca’s heritage.

Artesania de Menorca