DO Jerez
, Spain
Winery Overview
Bodegas Emilio Hidalgo was founded in 1874 and has developed an international reputation for producing elegant,
refined Sherries. Located in the historical heart of Jerez de la Frontera, the winery is housed in a late 19th century
building of classic construction — thick walls, large windows, high ceilings and tiled roof — ideal for the fermentation
and aging of Sherry. By the beginning of the 20th century, the winery was well established with a devoted following
in Spain and the U.K. By the 1970s, the winery had expanded exportation across mainland Europe, the United
States and Japan. Today, the fifth generation of Hidalgos runs the winery, carrying on the family’s rich Sherry
making heritage.
Location of Vineyard
Emilio Hidalgo is located in the heart of Jerez de la Frontera in DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. Palomino, Moscatel and Pedro
Ximenez grapes are grown in three types of soil: limestone rich albariza, clay dominant barros and sandy arenas. This
varied yield of grapes gives Hidalgo’s skilled cellar master a wide range of options in the crafting of their Sherry.
Winemaking Philosophy
For the past five decades, Hidalgo has had the same cellar master (or capataz), Manuel Nieves. An expert at
managing the house’s various soleras, he employs a system of fractional blending using smell and taste to develop
Hidalgo’s famously complex Sherries.
DO La Mancha
, Spain
Winery Overview
Finca Antigua was established in 2003 by brother and sister team Carlos and Pilar Martínez-Bujanda Irribarria,
whose family has been making wine since 1889. The vision of Finca Antigua is to create a facility that balances
wine styles with the latest technologies, while always respecting the family’s enduring, time honored winemaking
traditions. At sharp contrast with the fresh, bucolic landscape, stands a structure of steel, stone and cement housing
the equipment used to transform Finca Antigua harvests into spectacular wines.
Location of Vineyard
The estate is located on a prime parcel of land between the provinces of Cuenca and Toledo in DO La Mancha. The
high altitude, loam and limestone soil and climate fluctuations from hot days to cool nights endow the vineyard with
optimal growing conditions. A number of indigenous and international varieties thrive in the soil, the majority being
Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo; however, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Graciano, Viura, Gewurztraminer
and Moscatel are also grown. The vineyards are marked by a multitude of old vines for which the property is named.
All Finca Antigua wines are estate grown and bottled.
Winemaking Philosophy
Although the 21st century has brought modernization and automation to the winemaking philosophy, the mission of
the Familia Martínez-Bujanda has always remained true to the original intent of Joaquín Martínez-Bujanda from over
a century ago: Control of the vineyards is essential to making complex wines. Each generation has sought to best
utilize each location, taking into account the altitude, microclimate, soil and characteristics unique to each
terroir
to create wines that capture its essence. They continue to nourish the vineyards with organic matter and employ
modern and traditional winemaking techniques to produce the best quality wine possible from each parcel.
