Vino de Montana, Sierra de Gata

A juicy and fresh red wine with vibrant red fruit aromas over a subtle spicy note of white pepper. Smooth and very drinkable.

Producer Note

Vinos de Montaña is a range of mountain wines from high-altitude vineyards in Sierra de Gredos and Sierra de Gata in the Sistema Central, the mountain chain that divides the Iberian Peninsula into its northern and southern halves. This project aims to reinvigorate old vineyards and sustain the communities that farm them. The wines are based mostly on very old Garnacha vines which are grown in granite soils, resulting in a perfumed, delicate and fresh expression of Garnacha, displaying the character of the vineyard parcels and villages in which they were grown.

Vintage

The 2018 vintage was characterised by a late harvest. Heavy rainfall during spring replenished the soil water reserves to nourish the vines during the summer. A mild summer followed creating a long, slow maturation period.

Vineyard

The grapes are grown in the Sierra de Gata in the northwest in the province of Cáceres. The vineyards are located in high altitude sites of between 700 to 1,100 metres above sea level, where the vines grow typically in small terraced parcels surrounded by pine woods. The diurnal temperature fluctuations at this elevation encourage a long, gradual ripening season for the fruit, producing concentrated flavours from the warm, sunny days coupled with fresh, balancing acidity from the cool nights. The very old bush vines are up to 90 years old and produce low yields of concentrated juice. Planted in decomposed granite soils, these vines produce fine, elegant wines. The vineyards are planted with a number of unusual varieties, most of which are not planted anywhere else in Spain. The vines are hand-harvested as a field blend. Ruefete is an indigenous Spanish early-ripening variety which produces light-bodied wines, while Piñuela is a local synonym for Alvarelhão, producing light, perfumed and delicate wines.

Winemaking

The grapes were de-stemmed and fermented in concrete vats at controlled temperatures with selected natural yeasts for maximum site expression. The wine was aged in concrete and steel tanks for five months, to allow the purity of fruit and nuances of the vineyard site shine through.

Tasting Note

An elegant field blend showing vibrant aromas of red fruit over a subtle spicy note of white pepper. Light and delicate with wonderful purity of fruit, underpinned by refreshing acidity and soft, lingering tannins. This is a food friendly wine from high altitude vineyards.

Grape

Garnacha 70%, Piñuela 15%, Ruefete 15%