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Showing 1 to 8 of 8 (1 Pages)

Buy Wine from Bodegas y Viñedos Bernabeleva

The Bernabeleva winery is located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Madrid, at the foot of the Cerro de Guisando, next to the Arroyo del Tórtolas. Despite being only 60 minutes from Madrid, the region feels like a journey back in time, with mountainous terrain and signs of an earlier era.

History

The history of this winery dates back to 1923 when a renowned physician from Madrid, Dr. Vincente Alvarez-Villamil, purchased land in the area. The site, which at the time required a full day's journey from Madrid, was home to vestiges of its Celtic past, with ancient bears carved into rocks marking forests dedicated to the goddess of the hunt. However, the estate, which Vincente named Bernabeleva, meaning "forest of the bear", held more than just ancient history. Vincente believed that it was a special place to plant Garnacha, a noble grape, and that the wines produced here could show a deep character. Unfortunately, the Civil War that broke out in 1936 in Spain put an end to this dream, at least temporarily.
The dream was revived in 2006 by two of Vincente's great-grandchildren, Juan Diez Bulnes and Santiago Matallana Bulnes. They decided to fulfil their ancestor's dream. The estate vineyards were already 80 years old and there were also Garnacha vineyards available for purchase on neighbouring properties. Juan, with his growing enthusiasm, hired consultant Raul Perez, a master of winemaking in cold climates. Raul, recognising Bernabeleva's potential, recommended the talented young Catalan, Marc Isart Pinos, as winemaker. Marc, with his dedication to organic viticulture and non-interventionist winemaking, came to understand the character of each of the estate's vineyard parcels.

Vineyards

Bernabeleva has 35 hectares of old vines. The predominant grape variety is Garnacha, followed by Albillo, Moscatel de Grano Menudo and Tinta Morenillo. The soils of these vineyards are brown earth on weathered granite, with few nutrients and an acid PH. The annual rainfall in the region is 628 mm. The vineyards are located on hillsides, foothills and alluvial slopes, with different soil depths and more sand at the bottom of the slopes. The altitudes of the vineyards range from 600 to 830 metres.

Philosophy

Bernabeleva focuses on working the vineyards with respect and in balance with nature, without adhering to specific labels. The wines, made from indigenous varieties, reflect the differences in orientation, vegetation, altitude and soil of each site. In the winery, they strive to maintain the virtues of the raw material provided by the vines. The viticulture is respectful with the environment, as they understand that there is no other way to work. In terms of winemaking, they maintain the soil by tilling the vines with manure produced by their own cows. If necessary, they treat the vines with sulphur and copper powder. They follow the lunar cycles for pruning and other work, especially in the vineyards destined for plot wines. Harvesting is carried out by hand by parcel in 12 kg boxes, and the grapes are cooled in refrigerated lorries to encourage pre-fermentation maceration. Each plot is vinified separately in wooden vats, with maceration for more than 30 days for all the reds, before the wines are transferred to French oak barrels.

Showing 1 to 8 of 8 (1 Pages)

Buy Wine from Bodegas y Viñedos Bernabeleva

The Bernabeleva winery is located in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Madrid, at the foot of the Cerro de Guisando, next to the Arroyo del Tórtolas. Despite being only 60 minutes from Madrid, the region feels like a journey back in time, with mountainous terrain and signs of an earlier era.

History

The history of this winery dates back to 1923 when a renowned physician from Madrid, Dr. Vincente Alvarez-Villamil, purchased land in the area. The site, which at the time required a full day's journey from Madrid, was home to vestiges of its Celtic past, with ancient bears carved into rocks marking forests dedicated to the goddess of the hunt. However, the estate, which Vincente named Bernabeleva, meaning "forest of the bear", held more than just ancient history. Vincente believed that it was a special place to plant Garnacha, a noble grape, and that the wines produced here could show a deep character. Unfortunately, the Civil War that broke out in 1936 in Spain put an end to this dream, at least temporarily.
The dream was revived in 2006 by two of Vincente's great-grandchildren, Juan Diez Bulnes and Santiago Matallana Bulnes. They decided to fulfil their ancestor's dream. The estate vineyards were already 80 years old and there were also Garnacha vineyards available for purchase on neighbouring properties. Juan, with his growing enthusiasm, hired consultant Raul Perez, a master of winemaking in cold climates. Raul, recognising Bernabeleva's potential, recommended the talented young Catalan, Marc Isart Pinos, as winemaker. Marc, with his dedication to organic viticulture and non-interventionist winemaking, came to understand the character of each of the estate's vineyard parcels.

Vineyards

Bernabeleva has 35 hectares of old vines. The predominant grape variety is Garnacha, followed by Albillo, Moscatel de Grano Menudo and Tinta Morenillo. The soils of these vineyards are brown earth on weathered granite, with few nutrients and an acid PH. The annual rainfall in the region is 628 mm. The vineyards are located on hillsides, foothills and alluvial slopes, with different soil depths and more sand at the bottom of the slopes. The altitudes of the vineyards range from 600 to 830 metres.

Philosophy

Bernabeleva focuses on working the vineyards with respect and in balance with nature, without adhering to specific labels. The wines, made from indigenous varieties, reflect the differences in orientation, vegetation, altitude and soil of each site. In the winery, they strive to maintain the virtues of the raw material provided by the vines. The viticulture is respectful with the environment, as they understand that there is no other way to work. In terms of winemaking, they maintain the soil by tilling the vines with manure produced by their own cows. If necessary, they treat the vines with sulphur and copper powder. They follow the lunar cycles for pruning and other work, especially in the vineyards destined for plot wines. Harvesting is carried out by hand by parcel in 12 kg boxes, and the grapes are cooled in refrigerated lorries to encourage pre-fermentation maceration. Each plot is vinified separately in wooden vats, with maceration for more than 30 days for all the reds, before the wines are transferred to French oak barrels.