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It's after twelve at night, at that time there are no people on the streets but there is an incessant transfer of trucks. They come from vineyards loaded with grapes and go to the cellars to download. It is a time of harvest in this plateau, of soft reliefs, formed by the depression of the Duero River. An extensive area (more than 18,000 hectares) geographically delimited by municipalities in three provinces: Valladolid, Segovia and Ávila that share the Rueda Designation of Origin.
Alchemy of the 21st Century
Unlike other territories here, the harvest is done mechanically and nocturnally. A very common method of collection among the winemakers of this DO It allows them to harvest more quickly, ensure the optimum ripening time, prevents oxidation in the musts and the grapes reach the cellar at low temperature, ideal to begin the production of these Popular wines in huge stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature, explains Santiago Mora Poveda, general director of the DO Rueda.
Thus, after sunset and when the mercury has fallen several degrees, the huge harvesting machines , like transformers of huge jaws, move along the green rows engulfing clusters. Sci-fi scenes in the middle of a sea of grapes.
Verdejo is the native white grape and the star of the area. But there is life beyond. Rueda breastfeeds and boasts variety and quality. With viura, sauvignon blanc, and fine palomino, all of them white; and merlot, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo and garnacha, the inks, the other wheels are made.
FROM THE VINEYARD TO THE WINERY
Bodegas Yllera is a classic in the area. In front Marcos and Carlos Yllera, passionate about the family legacy, claim the quality-price tandem of their wines. Wine tourism is a fundamental part of the project. His Ariadne's Thread pays homage to the mythological origin of this drink in a maze among ancient underground cellars: Wines, maidens, heroes and gods share myths and legends.
This mythological universe shares space with the cuisine of the region. Four large rooms where you can enjoy delicious dishes paired with the classic white, young reds, the aging or the jewel of the house, the Yllera Dominus, a red wine with 28 months in French oak barrels.
Ramón Bilbao is a benchmark in Rioja, but faithful to his adventurous soul he has been betting on these lands since 2016. Sara Bañuelos, technical director of the winery, is responsible for her wines. A sauvignon blanc and two verdejos, one of them a limited edition, elaborated on its own lees, are for the moment the result of this young project. Guided tours of the facilities, special pairings , courses with tasting or commented tastings are some of the activities they offer.
In Santiuste de San Juan Bautista, a small town in Segovia, you will find the modern facilities of Avelino Vegas , winemakers since 1950. They vinify with quality the more than 400 hectares of vineyards, some of them almost centenarians. A company deeply rooted in the territory and its people. Receiving the visitor, a variety garden, an organic garden that nourishes the restaurant and a sculpture, by Cristóbal Gabarrón, Corazón en boca , a tribute to the founder.
SMALL FOOTS STRONG
Big wineries live with big dreams, like that of the brothers Alicia and Vidal who picked up the witness of the family business in La Seca. In the vineyards the Vidal Soblechero preserve the traditional methods intact: Roman plow, fig trees as vintage indicators and hawks flying over the vines to scare away intrusive birds that damage the strains. A whole show.
The Sanz brothers, Alejandra, Marco and Richard are the sixth generation of a long wine tradition. An adventure that started in 1820 and that in 2005 was transformed into Menade Wineries. "They return to the past to create their future," says Iván Acebes, his winemaker. A whole declaration of intent for this project.
An eco-logical winery, based on tradition and scrupulous respect for the environment. As an example, an " insect hotel " for the treatment of vineyards and a small farm where donkeys, geese, peacocks and a nice chicken live together. A magnet for the little ones while the elders taste the wines.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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