Vagüera Blanco

Álvar de Dios

In 2009 Alvar purchased Vagüera, a tiny half-hectare plot of abandoned vines at an elevation of 950m (!!!) near the village of El Maderal, , again just south of the Toro appellation border. Untended since 2006, this site is a bewildering co-planted field blend of white varieties. Alvar so far has identified Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, and Malvasia. There are at least another five varieties that Alvar is yet to identify. Records indicate that this vineyard was planted in 1921. This is a fascinating terroir in its own rite—a shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock, mercifully north-facing, and sheltered by a forest of cork oak, giving a micro-climate cooled by aspect, elevation, and surroundings that result in a truly exceptional and unique and antique Spanish white, aromatic and complex.

2020 vintage: "The austere single-vineyard white 2020 Vagëra comes from a north-facing plot in El Maderal planted with Doña Blanca in 1920 at 950m above sea level. The grape is austere, and that is reflected in the wine, which has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.21 and retained 5.7 grams of acidity. It fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts where it matured for 12 months and then rested in stainless steel until bottling in June 2022. It has some spiciness and a very tasty palate with balane, freshness, and pungent flavors. It's a fresh and balanced year. 2,100 bottles produced." 93 points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Country:  Spain

Region:  El Maderal, Zamora

Appellation:  Vino de Pueblo, Castilla y León

Climate:  Warm Mediterranean Continental

Altitude:  950m

Soils:  Shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock

Varietal/Blend:  Field blend of Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, Malvasia, and five other varieties yet to be identified.

Fermentation:  Direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in oak.

Ageing:  Aged on the lees at least 12 months aging in old oak barrels 300L-500L in size. Unfined. Unfiltered.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand-farmed. A classic field-blended vineyard located in El Maderal at 950m above sea level surrounded by a forest of cork oak that protects it from the sun. North facing. Planted in 1921.

ABV:  13.0%

Produced Cases:  125

CSPC:  888562

About the Producer

Álvar de Dios Hernández


El Pego, Toro, Spain

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Vagüera Blanco
Álvar de Dios
In 2009 Alvar purchased Vagüera, a tiny half-hectare plot of abandoned vines at an elevation of 950m (!!!) near the village of El Maderal, , again just south of the Toro appellation border. Untended since 2006, this site is a bewildering co-planted field blend of white varieties. Alvar so far has identified Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, and Malvasia. There are at least another five varieties that Alvar is yet to identify. Records indicate that this vineyard was planted in 1921. This is a fascinating terroir in its own rite—a shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock, mercifully north-facing, and sheltered by a forest of cork oak, giving a micro-climate cooled by aspect, elevation, and surroundings that result in a truly exceptional and unique and antique Spanish white, aromatic and complex.

2020 vintage: "The austere single-vineyard white 2020 Vagëra comes from a north-facing plot in El Maderal planted with Doña Blanca in 1920 at 950m above sea level. The grape is austere, and that is reflected in the wine, which has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.21 and retained 5.7 grams of acidity. It fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts where it matured for 12 months and then rested in stainless steel until bottling in June 2022. It has some spiciness and a very tasty palate with balane, freshness, and pungent flavors. It's a fresh and balanced year. 2,100 bottles produced." 93 points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

TECHNICAL INFO

Country:  Spain

Region:  El Maderal, Zamora

Appellation:  Vino de Pueblo, Castilla y León

Climate:  Warm Mediterranean Continental

Altitude:  950m

Soils:  Shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock

Varietal/Blend:  Field blend of Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, Malvasia, and five other varieties yet to be identified.

Fermentation:  Direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in oak.

Ageing:  Aged on the lees at least 12 months aging in old oak barrels 300L-500L in size. Unfined. Unfiltered.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand-farmed. A classic field-blended vineyard located in El Maderal at 950m above sea level surrounded by a forest of cork oak that protects it from the sun. North facing. Planted in 1921.

ABV:  13.0%

Produced Cases:  125

CSPC:  888562

Andrew Stewart | Calgary + Alberta South

T: 403-604-0408 | E: andrew@vinoalvino.ca

Joe Gurba | Edmonton + Alberta North

 T: 780-203-5284 | E: joe@vinoalvino.ca

Vagüera Blanco
Álvar de Dios
In 2009 Alvar purchased Vagüera, a tiny half-hectare plot of abandoned vines at an elevation of 950m (!!!) near the village of El Maderal, , again just south of the Toro appellation border. Untended since 2006, this site is a bewildering co-planted field blend of white varieties. Alvar so far has identified Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, and Malvasia. There are at least another five varieties that Alvar is yet to identify. Records indicate that this vineyard was planted in 1921. This is a fascinating terroir in its own rite—a shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock, mercifully north-facing, and sheltered by a forest of cork oak, giving a micro-climate cooled by aspect, elevation, and surroundings that result in a truly exceptional and unique and antique Spanish white, aromatic and complex.

2020 vintage: "The austere single-vineyard white 2020 Vagëra comes from a north-facing plot in El Maderal planted with Doña Blanca in 1920 at 950m above sea level. The grape is austere, and that is reflected in the wine, which has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.21 and retained 5.7 grams of acidity. It fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts where it matured for 12 months and then rested in stainless steel until bottling in June 2022. It has some spiciness and a very tasty palate with balane, freshness, and pungent flavors. It's a fresh and balanced year. 2,100 bottles produced." 93 points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate

TECHNICAL INFO

Country:  Spain

Region:  El Maderal, Zamora

Appellation:  Vino de Pueblo, Castilla y León

Climate:  Warm Mediterranean Continental

Altitude:  950m

Soils:  Shallow, rocky, red clay soil over a limestone bedrock

Varietal/Blend:  Field blend of Doña Blanca, Albillo Rojo, Albillo Real, Albillo Negro, Albillo Castellano, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Muscat de Alexandria, Moscatel Rojo, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino Fino, Malvasia, and five other varieties yet to be identified.

Fermentation:  Direct pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in oak.

Ageing:  Aged on the lees at least 12 months aging in old oak barrels 300L-500L in size. Unfined. Unfiltered.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand-farmed. A classic field-blended vineyard located in El Maderal at 950m above sea level surrounded by a forest of cork oak that protects it from the sun. North facing. Planted in 1921.

ABV:  13.0%

Produced Cases:  125

CSPC:  888562

Calgary + Alberta South

Andrew Stewart

403-604-0408

andrew@vinoalvino.ca

Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman in the vineyard

Introducing Sandhi Wines to Alberta

By Joe Gurba • 07 Jan, 2024
Discover Sandhi Wines, a testament to Californian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir's hidden elegance, founded in 2010 by Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman. Embracing Santa Rita Hills' unique terroir, Sandhi's wines have garnered international acclaim for their beauty and distinctiveness. These highly coveted wines, including Central Coast Chardonnay and Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, showcase meticulous vineyard collaboration and a commitment to showcasing terroir. Sandhi represents a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation in Californian winemaking.
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Edmonton + Alberta North

Joe Gurba

780-203-5284

joe@vinoalvino.ca

Saskatoon + Saskatchewan South

Kerrie Gavin

306-290-0277

kerrie@vinoalvino.ca

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