Spain - Castile and Leon

Castilla y León: A Wine Region of History and Renewal
The Historic Cradle of Spanish Viticulture

Viticulture in Castilla y León dates back to Roman times, more than 2,000 years ago, when the Romans introduced vine cultivation to the region. This tradition took root over the centuries, surviving periods of turmoil thanks to the central role of Christian monasteries in the Middle Ages. These monasteries, located notably along the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, were bastions of viticultural preservation and innovation, producing wine for both religious and commercial uses.


In the 16th century, viticulture reached its peak, fueled by the needs of the Spanish royal court and the new American colonies. However, it was not until the 20th century that the region gained modern recognition for its wines, with the emergence of iconic estates and an improvement in the quality of the region's wines. Today, Castilla y León is a benchmark thanks to emblematic wines that blend tradition and innovation.


A Rich and Diverse Terroir

The landscape of Castilla y León is characterized by the high plateau of the Duero basin, traversed by its eponymous river and its many tributaries. This varied geography divides the region into two main areas: the river basin and the surrounding mountains. The soils vary depending on the area, ranging from iron-rich gravels to low-fertility clay soils, as well as calcareous and nutrient-poor lands.


The territory's continental climate, with its hot, dry summers and cold winters, is tempered by Atlantic influences in some areas, where rainfall is more abundant. This unique combination of soils and climate allows for the production of expressive and varied wines, adapted to each microclimate.


Challenges and Future Prospects

Like elsewhere, Castilla y León faces the challenges of climate change, which is altering rainfall patterns and accelerating grape ripening. Winemakers and vineyard managers are responding by adopting innovative practices, such as organic farming, biodynamics, and exploring vineyards located at higher altitudes. These efforts, combined with a respect for traditions, allow the region's vineyards to maintain their position as a flagship of Spanish viticulture.


With a rich history, unique lands, and characterful wines, Castilla y León embodies the perfect alliance between heritage and modernity in the Spanish wine landscape.






Our Winemakers of Castilla y León: Guardians of Traditions and Artisans of the Terroir
Bodegas Coruña del Conde: Tradition and Passion at the Heart of Castilla y León

Founded in 1990 by Alberto López Calvo, Bodegas Coruña del Conde is a family project rooted in a love for the land and wine. Located at an altitude of 1,000 meters in the village of Coruña del Conde, this 8-hectare estate, spread over 29 parcels, cultivates various grapes such as Tempranillo, Albillo Mayor, Grenache, and Chardonnay. With centenary vines and sustainable agriculture free of herbicides and chemicals, the vineyard preserves the biodiversity of its environment, rich in flora and fauna.


Under the direction of his grandson since 2013, the estate continues an artisanal and natural philosophy, producing approximately 25,000 bottles per year. The wines are vinified without additives in a variety of containers, ranging from terracotta jars to old oak and chestnut barrels. Manual harvesting and varied macerations allow for the full expression of the unique terroir, marked by its clay-limestone soils and a continental climate with significant temperature variations.


Each bottle, crafted in historic underground cellars, embodies the authenticity and richness of this wine region, combining tradition, innovation, and respect for nature.


Bodega La Senda: Diego Losada, the Rebellion of Bierzo

Diego Losada, founder of Bodega La Senda in Ponferrada, stands out as an emblematic figure in Bierzo, Castilla y León. Working with old vines over 50 years old, spread across rich and varied soils mixing clay, quartz, and schist, he crafts wines that reflect the essence of each parcel and the deep identity of this region. This winery is based on a philosophy of minimal intervention: no sulfites, no filtration, or clarification. Diego favors gentle macerations and aging in concrete tanks or old barrels to preserve the purity, freshness, and vitality of his wines.


The unique climate of Bierzo, with its harsh winters, humid summers, and wide temperature swings, combined with the mineral diversity of its soils, imparts remarkable complexity and minerality to its wines. For Diego, wine is a living being that requires freedom, protection, and support. Each bottle thus becomes a faithful expression of its environment, a blend of craftsmanship and respect for nature.


By working with care and passion, Diego Losada reinterprets the tradition of Bierzo wine, while offering wines with raw authenticity and subtle elegance. His creations embody the soul of this exceptional region and appeal to lovers of vibrant and sincere wines, where every sip tells a story.





Castilla y León: Appellations and Flagship Wines
A Region with Varied Appellations

Castilla y León is one of Spain's most important wine-producing regions, bringing together several Denominaciones de Origen (DO) recognized for their quality. Among them, Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro, Bierzo, Cigales, and Tierra de León stand out for their unique wine styles.

Red Wines

Ribera del Duero is renowned in Spain for its powerful and balanced red wines, mainly made from the Tempranillo grape. These red wines, from the banks of the Duero, are characterized by complex aromas of black fruits, spices, and a great aging potential. Toro, also located in the Duero basin, produces more robust and intense reds, often from old vines. Bierzo, for its part, highlights the Mencía grape, which yields elegant and fresh red wines, with a characteristic mineral touch.


White Wines

Rueda is an essential reference in Spain for white wines, thanks to the Verdejo grape. These Rueda wines offer beautiful freshness, aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, and well-balanced acidity. Other appellations, such as Tierra de León, also produce interesting and quality white wines, often from local grapes like Albillo.


Rosé and Other Specialties

Cigales is known for its fruity and refreshing rosés, ideal for summer days, but also offers light and pleasant reds. In Tierra de León, the Prieto Picudo grape produces lively and aromatic rosés, appreciated for their freshness.


A Diversity to Discover

The appellations of Castilla y León offer a remarkable diversity of wines, ranging from deep reds to aromatic whites and light rosés. Each area highlights unique characteristics, making the region a must-visit for lovers of Castilian wines.





The Indigenous Grape Varieties of Castilla y León: Heirs of the Spanish Terroir
Mencía

Mencía, an emblematic red grape variety of northwestern Spain, likely originates from Salamanca. This grape, also cultivated in Galicia, Asturias, Castilla y León, and even Catalonia, is known for producing wines with rich and intense aromas. With dominant notes of raspberry and blackberry, it combines power and elegance. Towards the end of ripening, its sugar content increases rapidly, leading to a decrease in acidity and offering supple and round wines. Although it requires specific conditions to thrive, Mencía is particularly appreciated for its ability to express the diversity of the lands where it is cultivated. Its cuvées, often dense and generous, are perfect for those seeking a rich and authentic tasting experience.


Verdejo

A historic white grape from the Rueda territory, Verdejo is one of Castilla y León's emblematic treasures. Introduced before the year 1000 by the Mozarabs, it owes its name to the green color of its berries, symbolizing its freshness and unique character. Resilient and well-adapted to dry and low-fertility conditions, Verdejo thrives on the region's calcareous and sandy soils. This versatile grape produces wines offering a wide range of aromas: notes of laurel and bitter almond when young, evolving into complex nutty aromas with aging. Whether vinified in a fresh and crisp style or a rounder version with barrel aging, Verdejo remains a vibrant expression of Castilian heritage, ideal for those seeking a rich and authentic experience. This grape also stands out for its ability to balance freshness and structure, making it a must-have for white wine lovers with varied profiles.


Tempranillo
Tempranillo, a true icon of Spanish viticulture, especially in the regions of Ribera del Duero, Toro, and Cigales, also known as Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero, is a red grape deeply rooted in the wine culture and history of Castilla y León. Its name, derived from "temprano" (early), reflects its rapid ripening, which distinguishes it from other varieties. It is cultivated under different names across the country, such as Tinta del País in Ribera del Duero or Cencibel in La Mancha, testifying to its great adaptability. In Castilla y León, it thrives on rich and varied parcels, producing wines with intense color and complex aromatic profiles, with characteristic notes of leather, tobacco, spices, and ripe red fruits. The small, thick-skinned berries of Tempranillo yield fleshy and powerful wines, with well-defined tannins and controlled acidity. Used for both young, fruity wines and age-worthy cuvées, this grape embodies the soul of Iberian viticulture and the diversity of Spanish terroirs.


These three grape varieties—Mencía, Verdejo, and Tempranillo—attest to the extraordinary richness and diversity of the wines of Castilla y León. Each, with its own characteristics, contributes to the renown of this exceptional wine-producing region, offering wines that capture the authenticity and unique character of their terroir.