Bodegas Pintia

In 1995 and 1996 we started to think of a new winery and in the locations in Spain where it could be set up. Castilla y León has a large river, the Duero, which is where our two existing wineries, Vega Sicilia and Alion are located, and it flows into another great wine-producing region, Oporto. The region of Toro is not far from us 100 km away along the same river. It has been a famous wine-producing region for centuries and has enjoyed great prestige during important eras of its life.

We thought that it could be a challenge to undertake a project there since it was an area that was not very fashionable at that time but had great potential.

The project was initiated with dedication and thoroughness, as is the strict rule of the Álvarez family, with David Álvarez and his son Pablo leading the way. Since the date of purchase, until being called Bodegas Pintia, they decided to buy old vineyards and to replant from these parent vines. Important work was also carried out to adapt the new winery to the Pintia production process. This was a big investment in a region that was new to the family.

Near Toro, in the province of Zamora, is the municipality of San Román de Hornija in the province of Valladolid. The high plateau of this area is home to old freestanding Tinta de Toro vines bought by Vega Sicilia, in its role as pioneer, in this pebbly area through which the Duero once flowed.

A traditionally wine-producing region rescued by Vega Sicilia has today become a leading region on a worldwide level.

The soil on our Pintia land was formed on top of alluvial deposits forming part of the high terraces of the river Duero with sandy accumulations on the surface and clays with stones underneath.

After so many years of study and definition of the new project, we established a series of premises to be strictly adhered to when considering the pros and cons of the region. On the one hand, this area is warmer than Ribera del Duero and, on the other, the land is basically a carpet of stones deposited by the river in the past; in short, a region which is twice as warm with the subsequent risk of making heavy wines that are difficult to enjoy.

Moreover, and to make this ‘problem’ more acute, in Toro we need the ripening to be as complete as possible, even with the risk of high alcoholic proof, in order to obtain a minimum condensation of tannins.

“Vega Sicilia’s owners, the Álvarez family, bought Bodegas Pintia in 1996, attracted to the galetstrewn terroir in the north Spanish wine region of Toro, the rich clay subsoils and the familiar altitude.
Toro’s main point of difference to Ribera del Duero is the ambient temperature, which can blaze in the height of summer. The challenge here is to match concentration with elegance, a challenge met by Bodegas Pintia with no shortage of aplomb.”

After the first four grape harvests (1997-2000), we realised that we would have to preserve, extract and protect everything that would convert Pintia into an elegant wine within the austerity of the region, i.e. delicate tannins embraced by the aroma of fresh fruit whilst avoiding overripeness and liquorice aromas. This is Pintia’s defining philosophy.