Castilla y León in Spain is renowned for its centuries-old wineries and diverse terroirs, including sub- regions of Ribera del Duero and Rueda. We’re going to showcase 2 of the region’s top producers who have quite different variations of the star grape of the region: Tempranillo.
Goyo Garcia Viadero and Alfredo Maestro are two winemakers who have taken unconventional paths in Ribera del Duero, each with their own unique approach to winemaking. Goyo Garcia's roots in the area run deep, with his family involved in viticulture for centuries. He began working in the region before the establishment of the Ribera del Duero D.O. in 1982 and started his own project in 2003 with three parcels of old vines. Goyo's winemaking philosophy rejects the region's typical use of additives, new oak, and intense extraction, instead embracing traditional methods and organic farming.
In contrast, Alfredo Maestro, whose family moved to Peñafiel from the Basque Country, began making wine in 1998. Initially, Alfredo followed conventional winemaking techniques, using various additives to create a "correct" Ribera del Duero wine. However, in the early 2000s, he had a revelation and shifted towards natural winemaking, eliminating exogenous products and working without additives, including sulfur in most cases2. Both winemakers now focus on old vineyards and indigenous varieties, with Goyo emphasizing high-altitude parcels and Alfredo seeking out neglected vineyards. Their wines stand out as unique expressions of terroir in a region known for its more commercial and extracted styles.
We will also be pouring some serious Garnacha, a pet nat from Maestro and a Verdejo from Cantalapiedra that is akin to Sancerre on steroids! Come by on Thursday and taste through 5 unique wines from this iconic Spanish region.
