STUDY PROGRAM
2022
Grandes Pagos of España is a highly selective association comprised of 35 member wineries committed to defending the single estate terroirs of Spain. To qualify for membership, wineries must demonstrate a profound commitment to preserving terroir identity and to produce wines in harmony with the soils, nature and climate of each estate. The members of Grandes Pagos engage in continuous viticultural exchange and training to share best terroir and sustainability practices.
Pago
Denominación De Origen Calificada
Denominación De Origen
Vino De Calidad Con Indicaciones Geográficas
Vino De La Tierra
Vino De Mesa 4
Membership in Grandes Pagos de España requires the most rigorous standards for single estate winemaking and terroir specificity: -Singular wine, representative of its terroir -Quality vineyard and exclusive sourcing of grapes from owned vineyards -An established philosophy of respect for the typicity and origin of the estate -Presence in the market for a minimum of 5 years -A track record of national and international recognition and merit -Approval by the Admission Technical Committee -100% unanimous agreement by all existing members
HISTORY:
2000 Grandes Pagos de Castilla is founded by 5 estates
2003
2021
Cooperation in the definition of the Vineyard and Wine Law 24/2003 and the concept of Single Estate Wines
Grandes Pagos has grown to 35 wineries
2004 Grandes Pagos de España expands beyond Castilla with 12 member estates
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 8
46 Grape Varieties
Growing Areas throughout Spain
17 Certified Organic
6 23 RED
23 WHITE
Certified Biodynamic
6,457 Acres
6 < 3,500 cases (9-Liter)
18 < 16,000 cases
4,000,000+ Bottles
11 > 16,500 cases
100% SINGLE ESTATE
MESETA NORTE REGION
MESETA NORTE
Meseta Norte or the great northern plateau of Spain comprises all nine provinces of Castilla y León. The wine heart of the region is the Duero River basin and the city of Valladolid in DO Ribera del Duero, with a network of roads leading to Burgos, León, Salamanca, Segovia and Soria. Besides Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León includes DO Cigales, Bierzo, Rueda, and Toro. The gateway to Madrid extends through the Sierra mountain range of Guadarrama to the south, part of Spain's larger Sistema Central mountain chain which divides the Iberian Peninsula. The region offers a wealth of monuments such as the Roman aqueduct of Segovia; churches and monasteries that planted vines throughout the north, hosting pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago since the Middle Ages; and the castles which unified Spain in 1492 under the royal houses of Isabella I, Queen of Castille, and Ferdinand II of Aragón.
MESETA NORTE REGION
Landscape and Elevation
The landscape of the Meseta Norte consists principally of plateaux and low-lying hills. The Cantabrian Mountains cut the region off from the cooler, wet maritime climate to the north. The highest elevations are in DO Ribera del Duero where the vines are planted up to 2,600 feet on a 70-mile stretch along the Duero River. The Duero River flows westward through the Meseta Norte to the Atlantic
Climate
The climate is extreme, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Little rain falls in the summer, requiring growers to adapt their viticulture to overcome drought. Drip irrigation allows for close monitoring and control. Frost can occur towards the end of harvest and late spring, requiring constant monitoring to protect yields.
Soils
Vineyards found at higher elevation have looser, easily worked soil, while vineyards closer to the river have higher clay content. Limestone and iron content are relatively high in Ribera del Duero. Rueda vineyards are planted on flat plateaux and low-lying hills with more sandy and chalk soils, and gravel. A similar mix is common to Toro, with more gravel to the west and fine sand and clay to the east.
FRANCE
PORTUGA
L
er Duero Riv
Madrid
MESETA NORTE REGION FACTS
REDS: Tempranillo (Tinto Fino), XXX Whites: Verdejo, XXX
Viticulture
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SOILS:
GRANDES PAGOS: 9
CLIMATE: Extreme ELEVATION: from low elevation and hills up to 2,600 feet
Test your knowledge!
ABOUT ABADIA RETUERTA An historic wine estate, Abadia Retuerta is located in Sardon del Duero on the site of the 12th Century Abbey of Santa María de Retuerta, fully restored and converted into an exclusive 5-star hotel and wellness retreat. The property comprises 1,577 acres, of which 477 are planted to vines on both sides of the Duero River. With 900 years of winemaking at this storied place, and the winery has earned worldwide recognition for terroir-driven winemaking.
One of the original estates in the Duero River basin with 54 unique terroir parcels, home to the 12th Century Abbey of Santa María de Retuerta, converted into a 5-star winery-hotel.
PAGO SINCE: 2000 CLASS: Vino de la Tierra VINEYARD: 474 acres, divided in 54 parcels KEY VARIETALS: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot…Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Godello
ABADIA RETUERTA
CLIMATE: Extreme winters, hot summers offset by higher elevation and temperature variation. Low rainfall. ELEVATION: 2,460 feet (750 meters) to 2,790 feet (850 meters) SOILS: sandy closer to to the Duero River, with white clay on the hillsides. Deep gravel and limestone in select parcels.
Winemaker Ángel Anocíba Consulting Winemaker Pascal Delbeck
ABADIA ABADIA RETUERTA RETUERTA
Terroir
The Duero River is a defining feature of the Abadia Retuerta terroir, with poor, sandy soils at lower elevations and white clay and limestone deposits on the hillsides. Extreme winters and summer temperatures with limited rainfall are offset by elevation and cooling influences from the meseta. Intensive studies have isolated 54 parcels based on unique soils, exposures, and suitability to different varieties. 4 parcels Pago Valdebelló (Cabernet Sauvignon), Pago Negralada (Tempranillo), Pago Garduña (Syrah) and PV (Petit Verdot) show particular affinity to distinct plantings.
Sustainability
The winery invests in sustainability to protect the natural environment. Initiatives include: replanting 65,000 pine trees as part of a comprehensive forestry management program; preservation of local vegetation and vineyard; organic management of pesticides; water recycling; commercialization of local honey and pine nuts; and Biodiversity management to maximize the diversity and number of natural pollinators.
QUIZLET EXAMPLE Test your knowledge!