Bodegas Vega Sicilia in the Ribera del Duero region has written Spanish wine history, is considered the great pioneer in the region and has enjoyed cult status among discerning wine lovers around the globe for decades. It is only logical that the wines from this exceptional bodega are among the most sought-after in the world. Despite - or perhaps because of - a number of changes of ownership, the winery has been able to constantly improve its quality, delivering wines that are among the best in Spain and abroad, vintage after vintage, for decades. Vega Sicilia has belonged to the Alvarez family for a good 35 years, and they have not just left it at one winery in Ribera del Duero, but have also set clear accents elsewhere, for example in the Toro region in the west of Ribera del Duero, where the Alvarez family is once again one of the pioneers with its Bodega Pintia. There are 96 hectares cultivated here, planted with Tempranillo. The vines are between 40 and 60 years old. The quality philosophy, which has already made Vega Sicilia one of the most important wine producers of the present day, is also consistently implemented 1 to 1 here. This includes, for example, harvesting by hand in small 12 kilo crates so that the grapes reach the winery undamaged. The winery was newly built and is a state-of-the-art winery, and not just for the region. Making wine in Toro is a challenge comparable to that in Ribera del Duero. Although the terroir is different, with barren soils with large pebbles that evoke associations with the French region of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the summers here are also warm, some days are hot, but the nights are exceptionally cool, and the winters are long and cold. However, in addition to Vega Sicilia's winemaking skills, it is precisely this interplay of climate and soil that is the secret behind Pinita, the estate's only wine made from 100% Tempranillo. These wines are delicate, very silky, show enormous finesse and elegance and an extraordinary depth. All attributes that have also made Vega Sicilia great. The Alvarez family only bought the winery in 1997, and 2001 was the first vintage to be released on the market. And it caused a storm of enthusiasm, which, incidentally, has not changed to this day with regard to the subsequent vintages.
