Vineyards Selection of old, low-production vineyards located on poor soils on the terraces of the Ebro River in the area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra (La Rioja Alta).
The region of the Rioja Sonsierra is in the heart of the area covered by the DOCa Rioja, inside the Rioja Alta. As its name suggests, “Sonsierra” is at the foot of a mountain range on the south side of the Toloño Mountains, which is part of a larger mountain range called Sierra de Cantabria. The mountains on the north and the River Ebro on the south make it one of the most favourable areas to make wine.
The microclimate, together with its special geographical features, makes it a perfect place for vineyards. On the one hand, the level of humidity is adequate with more rainfall in winter than any other season of the year, which is perfect for vines. Mostly moderate and some strong winds flow along the River Ebro from the southeast (solano in Spanish) or the northeast (cierzo) as well as fresh air come down the Toloño mountain range. These wind flows are key for maintaining a health vine.
The area’s orography is very uneven with a series of valleys that drop from the mountain range to the river, providing the land with many slopes and terraces of limestone-clay soils that have good drainage and therefore yielding the best Tempranillo grapes.
These exceptional conditions for growing vines have generated a wine-producing tradition that is still alive in the entire area and has combined perfectly with the modern times.
When arriving at San Vicente de la Sonsierra from the neighbouring village of Briones, the River Ebro acts as a gateway to an area that has been considered for decades as the heart of the Rioja Designation of Origin: the Sonsierra. Upon crossing the River, San Vicente offers the site of a rich historical-artistic heritage, and at its left, on a hill, we can see the elegant building of Bodega Classica in perfect harmony with the village’s profile.
Bodega Classica has been designed and built strategically on top of a hill so it can benefit from a natural climate control, as it is mostly built underground, and even the vats have been chosen with different sizes to make wine from different plots of land and with large mouths to imitate the traditional winemaking method of “lagos abiertos”, where whole grapes are deposited in open vats and carbonic maceration takes place. The bodega has around 5,000 barrels in stock, mainly in French oak.
Hacienda López de Haro
Vineyards Old Vineyards selected from different areas in San Vicente de la Sonsierra (La Rioja Alta).
Harvesting The harvest occurs during October.
Winemaking Fermentation occurs at a temperature of 28ºC in 30,000 kg vats, and maceration is extended for 2 weeks. Aged in French and American oak barrels during 18 months.
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