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Featured Wineries
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 ValdueroBodegas Valduero, located in Gumiel de Mercado, was established in 1984 as the sixth registered bodega of the now 109 in Ribera del Duero DO. The Garcia family (who own and operate the winery) were among the first to recognize the incredible potential that the Ribera del Duero soils held and started acquiring vineyards and planting vines before the region became internationally recognized. 200 hectares of vineyards allows them to control the quality of the base material and ensure that superior fruit is used for their superior wines. Also, Valduero wines represent an extraordinary value because they own their vineyards and do not have to source their fruit on the ever-rising open market. Vineyards Valduero has a combination of young and old vineyards with over 25 hectares of "old vine" vineyards ranging from 30 to 50 years old (some even older). The vineyards are situated on limestone and clay soils and the vines are exposed to rigorous climatic conditions. In addition, the vineyards provide very low yields and high concentration because of the traditional low bush techniques (not trained on wires) and the vines are not irrigated. In some cases no more than 4,000 kilos per hectare are produced even though up to 7,000 kilos per hectare is allowed in the D.O. The low yields provide the base for wines of great extraction and deep color, with a superb balance between alcohol and acidity — the typical characteristics of the Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grape variety. Ageing Ageing is an important component of the Valduero wines adding additional layers of complexity and helping to round out and finish the wines. Wines are aged in the quiet of a cellar 40 meters underground, which can store up to 4,000 barrels at 14ºC and with a relative humidity of 75%. Summary The Garcia family has a close attachment to the land and has a deep respect for time, which is used generously in their wines in a world where it has become a scarce commodity — often cut, rushed, or wasted. The Valduero wines exhibit a "classic" Ribera de Duero profile showing firm fruit, spice and earth that is tempered and finished by barrel and cellar aging. |