We
grow only grapes ideally suited to our property. Our main production
is of Monastrell grapes, but we also grow smaller quantities of
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Our area is ideal
for the production of long cycle grapes, because the maturation
of these varieties takes place between September and October,
when the temperature shifts between day and night are most dramatic.
We harvest our grapes earlier than most other growers in Jumilla,
in order to maintain their fruitiness, freshness and acidity.
Harvesting takes place early in the morning or in the evenings,
to protect the grapes from oxidation.
The property’s 118 planted acres, many ungrafted, are divided
into 7 distinct plots, which are individually monitored and processed,
from cultivation to final blending, in order to optimize the quality
of the final product. Our vineyard’s privileged location,
at an average altitude of 1,800 feet above sea level, allows for
the slow maturation of grapes, essential in producing wines that
are high in tannins, aromatic, well-structured and apt for barrel
aging.
Our soils are gravelly, sandy, and poor in organic matter. An
underlying base of limestone and clay retains what little rainfall
we receive. These conditions force grape vines to dig deep in
search of moisture and helps to maintain a low yield of highly
concentrated fruit. The structure of our soil, dryness of the
region, extreme heat and high PH of our terrain constitute an
inhospitable environment for Phylloxera and other plagues, which
allows us to avoid the use of pesticides in our vineyards. We
don’t use any herbicide and apply only organic fertilizer,
which makes for a natural production cycle that is virtually chemical
free.
Characteristics
Soils:
Gravelly and sandy clay loam rich in limestone. Good moisture
retention which allows the vineyards to subsist under lengthy
drought conditions. Poor in organic matter, with a high pH and
low salinity, they provide good aeration and are inhospitable
to phylloxera.
Climate:
Sunny and dry with approximately 3,000 hours of sun a year and
scant and irregular rains, around 300 mm per year (10 inches a
year). The average annual temperature is 16° C (61° F),
with cold winter temperatures reaching below 0° C (32°
F) and hot summer temperatures exceeding 40° C (104° F).
The frost period usually takes place between November and March.
Planted surface area:
48 hectares / 118 acres
Density of plantation:
1,600 to 3,000 vines per hectare (3,900 to 7400 vines per acre)
Pruning:
Goblet and bilateral cordon.
Planted varieties:
Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot
