The Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Farm formerly belonged to the Toloño sanctuary. It currently covers 154 hectares, 105 of which make up the vineyard.
THE VINEYARD
The Sierra de Toloño mountains are in the most northerly part of the Rioja Alavesa area, with its transitional climate between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. At the foot of the mountains lie the valleys of Valderemelluri, La Granja and Villaescusa. They feature staggered terraces which descend towards the River Ebro.
This area, well protected from prevailing winds and frost, is where the lands of the Nuestra Señora de Remelluri estate are located. There are 154 hectares of chalky clay soil, 105 of which make up the vineyard, with an exceptional microclimate and ideal south-facing slopes.
This unusual land is what gives its wine personality. It is stony ground with layers of clay, which retain freshness and moisture. All of this allows the fruit to ripen with subtlety and balance. The Atlantic-influenced climate provides abundant rainfall and lower average temperatures than in the rest of the region. The alternation of cool nights and hot days offers ideal conditions for good phenolic ripening of the Tempranillo grape.
THE GRAPE VARIETIES
The dominant vine is the Tempranillo, a high quality indigenous plant. It produces well-balanced wines with the correct acidity, making them very suitable for ageing. The Graciano has also been recovered, a vine mentioned in the "Víalar", as it is considered typical of the slopes of the Toloño mountains, its best habitat.
The plantation has an average age of 30 years, although there are terraces with pre-phylloxera vines; the oldest recorded by the Regulatory Board dates from 1876.
In the highest part of the estate, at an altitude of 700 metres, a plantation of white vines has been developed, with foreign varieties such as Rousanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Sauvignon or Chardonnay, which along with the indigenous Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel and Malvasía, produce an extraordinary white wine which has reached the highest scores from critics at national and international level.
ENVIRONNEMENT
Long before ecological farming came into fashion, the Farm dramatically reduced its use of herbicides, mineral fertilizers, synthetic products, etc.
It uses an integrated system of agriculture with great respect for the environment; hedges and plantations are maintained and nurtured, trees are planted to complement the vineyard, such as almond, peach, fig and above all olive trees, which also facilitate pollination, as the flowers attract bees.
BLENDING OR COUPAGE
In the month of January, once the malolactic fermentation process has been completed (breaking down malic acid into lactic acid), the vats are selected. A tasting committee determines the characteristics of the wines, separating the wines which have come from young vines destined for sale in bulk.
Remelluri wines are made with the best grapes from the estate: fruity wines with a distinctive personality, complex and intense aromas, and a hint of minerals and other aromas which produce a soothing effect. With elegant blended tannins, enveloped in a pleasant sensation of freshness, they are powerful and persistent wines which demonstrate outstanding balance and a sense of fullness in mouth.