De Padre > Rioja

Bodegas San Prudecio is located in the village of Moreda de Álava, a privileged location in Rioja Alavesa. The Sáenz Brothers purchased the bodega in 2005, four yours after producing their first wine, Cueto, at Bodega Monte Laturce. Having their own winery gave them the opportunity to work more functionally and take care of the fruit they grow in their vineyards. They currently have 30 hectares of vineyards - 20 of them in the mountains, which will soon increase to 50 hectares as they are in the process of planting new vineyards.

Winemaker Rubén Sáenz comes from a family with a long winemaking tradition. He successfully combines that experience with innovation and modern technologies. He cultivates his vines in high altitude regions where no one has planted vines before. Each parcel is treated individually, according to its own characteristics: exposition, altitude, soil. Ruben’s brother Marcos is in charge of the administration of the domaine.

Farming/winemaking practices: the vineyards are in the process of being certified organic. The first certified vintage will be 2018. The wines are vegan, no animal derivatives are ever used.

De Padre Website

Rioja

50% Tempranillo, 50% Grenache.
Grenache vineyards: planted at a density of 2m x 2m. Calcareous soil with pebbles at the surface. The vineyards are around 2140 feet high. This is a dry and infertile area, so the yields are tiny (around 22 ha/hectare), but of exceptional quality.
Tempranillo vineyards: 2450 to 2600 feet high, on the slopes of Monte Laturce, a symbol of Rioja, North- South exposure. They are protected from the south winds. The plots are surrounded by the forrest, which brings freshness during the hottest days of the summer. High diurnal temperature variation, which allows tannins and anthocyanins to develop.
The grapes are hand harvested. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with indigenous yeasts, at controlled temperatures, with a long maceration time. Malolactic fermentation in 225 litre oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 second year, 1/3 third year), then 24 months of aging in barrels. 13.5% alcohol. 1500 cases produced.

Rioja

Only done in the best vintages, this cuvée is from 100% Garnacha. The 70 year old vines are planted at a density of 2m x 2m, on calcareous soil with pebbles at the surface. Situated at 2140 feet high, the vineyards are in a dry and infertile area. The yields are tiny (around 22 ha/hectare), but of exceptional quality.
The grapes are hand harvested. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, with indigenous yeasts, at controlled temperatures, with a long maceration time. Malolactic fermentation in 225 litre oak barrels (1/3 new, 1/3 second year, 1/3 third year), then 18 months of aging in barrels. 14.5% alcohol. 250 cases produced.