Máquina y Tabla

Toro, Sierra de Gredos, and Bierzo

Máquina y Tabla is the brainchild of a dynamic duo – partners Oriol Illa, the winemaker, and Susana Pastor, the creative genius behind the wines' presentation. They are a tiny family business that began in 2012 in Castilla y León when they started scouring Toro, Sierra de Gredos, and Bierzo for the oldest and most peculiar high altitude vineyards of traditional Spanish bush vines. Having rented these parcels from their owners (and converted them to biodynamics) they've undertaken the heroic winemaking we hold so dear at Vino al Vino. If you want to know more about the characteristics of this area you can take a look at www.vinerra.com   

Their reputation has rapidly grown since their first vintage in 2013. With a deep love of the land and nature, they’ve created a label on the nurture of these old vines from their former owners either retired or no longer able to accomplish the laborious farming in such inaccessible and high elevation plots. 

Oriol the winemaker describes himself as having been an “oenopath” who, slowly but surely, became more and more interested in winemaking, a passion that turned into a profession during the 2000 harvest in Clos Mogador. These last 20 odd years, Oriol has lead or taken part in several projects including Vinya l’Hereu, Heretat Montrubí, Els Jelipins, and Prieto Pariente. Susana hails from the world of Arts & Entertainment, having been a creative editor in publishing, audio visual, and new media, conceptualizing new ideas in art and music. It is with great joy that we discovered this ambitious bodega Oriol and Susana have brought to life themselves as their very own.

Now she’s bringing all of her experience and energy to this fledgeling Bodega that has taken old-vine Grenache, Tempranillo, and Verdejo geeks by storm, earning the praise of natural wine die hards and revered gatekeepers alike (various of their cuvées have earned 95’s from Decanter, 94’s from Parker, and 17’s from Jancis Robinson).

The high elevation old vines of Northeast Spain seem to be in the wine news every other day, and with good cause. These are wines of such remarkable complexity that do not eschew their rustic nature but show their true colors without apology, shocking wine lovers with entirely new experiences. It’s an immense privilege to bring these singular wines to Western Canada. 

*The striking label designs are by Joan Josep Bertran, inspired by Goya.

• JancisRobinson.com Wine of the Week: Máquina y Tabla — Jancis Robinson MW • Sep 22, 2017

"For a tired old lag like me, it’s quite rare for me to get really excited by a new discovery at a tasting, but this wine, tasted at last week’s showcase of wines by London retailer Lea & Sandeman, was truly exceptional. Fellow wine writers and I were positively burbling with enthusiasm over it."