The name Ribera del Duero, literally means banks on the river Duero. Ribera del Duero is a Spanish Denominaciõn de Origen (DO or appellation) on the northern plains within the autonomous community of Castile y Leõn. Roughly 90 minutes drive north of Madrid, the region stretches over 149km, east to west, across the provinces of Soria, Burgos, Segovia & Valladolid.

At more than 800m above sea level it’s among the highest wine producing areas in Europe. Steeped in history and romance, the Ribera del Duero landscape can often appear rugged and stark, yet it’s home to some of the most acclaimed wines in the world. The climate can be harsh at times with temperature fluctuations of more than 20 degrees in a 24 hour period. We also have relatively low rainfall and high sun exposure which puts the vines under considerable stress, making them work harder for every drop of moisture leading to better quality grapes and high quality wines.

Ribera del Duero loves the Tempranillo variety of grape!

Tempranillo, or tinto fino as it’s known locally, is the predominant grape variety in the Ribera del Duero and ever since the region gained recognition in the 1980s it has produced some of Spains most complex, deeply coloured and fruity wines. Highly tannic, alcohol rich and full bodied red wines are the hallmark of the Ribera del Duero region.

The Ribera del Duero Denominaciõn de Origen (DO or appellation) has four official classifications of wine. Most wineries, including Bodega Garzal, use these classifications as standard. These are:

• Joven: A term applied to a young wine; typically these wines see little or no time in oak & is released as a fresh & fruity wine.
• Crianza: A wine labeled ‘crianza’ has spent at least one year in an oak cask and sold immediately.
• Reserva: A ‘reserva’ wine has been aged for a minimum of 2 years; one of which in an oak barrel before being available to the public.
• Gran Reserva: These wines are aged for 2 years in an oak cask and a further three years in the bottle.

Recently a fifth classification has crept into our every day awareness called Barrica or Roble. The Barrica / Roble wine has been aged for a minimum of 4 months in oak barrels giving sweeter tannins to young wine.

Ribera del Duero and vendimia

Around mid October the Ribera del Duero region goes to harvest (or Vendimia as it’s known here). The Denominaciõn de Origen test and analyse throughout the early part of October and sometimes even late September to determine the exact moment when the harvest can begin. While the region is quietly working hard behind the scenes for the rest of the year the harvest season can be frenetic as there is a very short window to harvest the grapes before the regional heavy frosts begin again.

At the heart of the Ribera del Duero region is Aranda de Duero, home to just over 32,000 people. Aranda de Duero is where you’ll find the Garzal winery. We’re a small, family run bodega producing classic and innovative wines right on the banks of the Duero. Isn’t it time you took a look at the Duero wine we produce and see for yourself how compelling and complete our wines are?