DO de Pago Dominio deValdepusa
, Spain
Winery Overview
Marqués de Griñón wines are sourced from the prized Dominio de Valdepusa vineyard in Castilla-La Mancha.
The vineyard is one of Spain’s highest at 1,068 feet above sea level, with a top layer of soil similar to Burgundy’s -
almost pure limestone. Dominio de Valdepusa has been in the noble family of Carlos Falcó Fernandez de Córdova,
the Marquis of Griñón, since 1292. In 1964, Falcó graduated from the University of California Davis with a degree
in viticulture and oenology and returned home to make wine, all the while pushing the boundaries of winemaking
as set by Francoist Spain. Dominio de Valdepusa’s New World techniques were a perfect match for winemaker, Julio
Mourelle, who joined the estate in 1995 and has helped establish Marqués de Griñón as a leader in Spanish winemaking.
Location of Vineyard
Dominio de Valdepusa is located in Castilla-La Mancha, some 31 miles from Toledo, near the Pusa River. It covers
123.6 acres, 49 of which are planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The balance is pristine
land populated by local varieties of oak, wild olive trees, brush, thyme and rosemary, which contribute to the overall
complexity and personality of the single estate. The family believes in the importance of the
terroir
and does its utmost
to transmit the land’s characteristics to their grapes, including the soil’s physical, mineral and biological characteristics.
Winemaking Philosophy
A reputable winemaker in his own right, Falcó has invited top experts from around the world to help continually
improve Marqués de Griñón’s processes and implement technologies and methods that make the winery one of
the most advanced in the world. These include a partial root drying system, sub-surface drip irrigation, high canopy
trellising, gravity fed tanks, hand de-stemming and an abandonment of fining and filtration, all of which give the
wines their famously powerful and concentrated style.
DO Empordà
, Spain
Winery Overview
In 1991, brothers Xavier and Jordi Oliver Conti, decided to act on their dream of becoming winemakers. Jordi
enrolled at Incavi in Vilafranca del Penedès and eventually obtained his Masters in Oenology and Viticulture from
the Université du Vin in Souze la Rousse. The brother’s mentor, Dr. Crespy, professor of agronomical engineering
at the University of Montpellier, helped inestimably through their early harvests. Aided by one of Spain’s foremost
oenologists, Ana Martín, Conti’s innovative wines are consistently balanced, enjoyable and a true expression of
terroir
.
Location of Vineyard
By 1993, the brothers had acquired 37 acres of granitic soil in the relatively obscure upper Empordà, where the soil
type and the protection afforded by the Alberes Mountains provided ideal conditions for creating high quality wines.
Winemaking Philosophy
The brothers planted 27 acres with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and 10 acres with
Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. They trellised the vines at a height of 1.8 meters (just under six feet) to gain
maximum leaf exposure to the sun. They also decided to employ a labor intensive pruning system called the short
stemmed double Guyot, which limits vine productivity and helps ensure concentrated fruit. In blends, varieties are
vinified and oak aged separately, to optimally control the wine’s development.
