Albet I Noya

Posted by Adam Morganstern on Mar 18, 2008 in Penedes

Albet i Noya has been Spain’s leading organic wine producer since 1979. Situated in Penedes (Northeast of Spain) the estate enjoys a privileged micro-climate, with lower than average rainfall, and the cellar is constantly innovating to find the most appropriate techniques for the varieties cultivated.Whilst the origins of viticulture at Can Vendrell go back to the middle ages, it was not until 1903 that the Albet family established itself on the estate.In 1924, Joan Albet i Rion and Joan Albet i Carbó started a new phase in the estate’s history, modernising much of the work and the equipment, leading to a considerable improvement in the quality of their wines.The next generation, Josep Maria and Antoni (the current owners), introduced organic farming methods to the vineyards. Josep Maria took over the management of the estate after his father’s death in 1972 and at the end of the seventies started producing the first organic wines. With the success of that first wine, produced specifically for the Danish market, they gradually moved the entire estate over to organic farming. The consolidation of these years of dedication and experience came in 1986 when the current company was established. Albet i Noya S.A.T. was set up by Josep Maria and his brother Antoni Albet i Noya, and their mother, Núria Noya i Rafecas. The family also finally acquired the estate that they had been farming for three generations.They began a long process of continuous renovation of the cellar, as well as switching 100% of the estate over to organic farming methods. They currently control 46 hectares of vineyards as well as buying grapes from local farmers who have followed their lead and converted to organic viticulture. The estate’s vines cover the western slopes of the Ordal mountain range, planted in terraces & following the curves of the terrain, or on slopes exposed to the midday sun. As in all good vine-growing areas, the soil in Can Vendrell has low organic content, with a variable content of clay and sand, on a bed of calcareous stone, a permeable base with good moisture retention.Today, Albet I Noya is widely recognised as the leading estate in Spain for organic wines.

Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez

Posted by Adam Morganstern on Mar 18, 2008 in Rioja

Cía. de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez recuperates, since 1994, vineyards that have witnessed an age-old viticulture, vineyards that have survived being almost neglected thanks to their balance and age. They are carefully harvested and their grapes are treated with the principle of non-intervention ; neither yeasts nor bacteria are inoculated ; they are not treated with cold nor clarified or filtered.

Dominio de Pingus

Posted by Adam Morganstern on Mar 18, 2008 in Ribera del Duero

Dominio de Pingus was created in 1995. The Domain makes two wines: Pingus and Flor de Pingus.Pingus comes from 4 hectares of old vine “Tinto Fino” from the La Horra region of “Ribera del Duero”.Flor de Pingus comes from 15 hectares of young vines from the Pesquera-Valbuena region. Vinification is natural in the sense that no technology is used, no added yeast, no enzymes, no temperature control. Ageing is 18-23 months in new wood. No clarification or filtration.

Mas Estela

Posted by Adam Morganstern on Mar 18, 2008 in Catalonia

The property is situated in the far north-east of Spain, within the Cap Creus Nature park, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The adventure began in 1989, when Didier and Nuria and their sons restored a farm-house set in the middle of vines. They work hard to recover and plant the steep terraces. Now they have a living peaceful land with 15ha of black grenache, syrah, carignan and muscat d’Alexandrie. It’s a mountainous vineyard with slatey soil and low yields 30 hl/ha.They don’t use pesticides weedkillers or chemical fertiliser because the soil is considered as a living entity.The grapes come from organic viticulture. Hand-picking and careful wine-making bring to the wines a great typicity and strong personality of the terroir.