Bodegas Virgen de la Sierra is a small winery in the town of Villarroya de la Sierra that has been making wines for over a century, boasting the oldest bodega in the region of Calatayud. Here's a story of a wine cooperative where everything is so right. In this small town of a few hundred people, the families have had their land passed down through the generations: a hectare or two of old bush vine Garnacha and Macabeo fruit, almond trees, apricot trees, and olive trees. Manuel Castro knows these families all so well, and spends time with them each spring and summer in the vineyards - never uses chemicals or pesticides, and lets their hot continental climate create incredibly beautiful grapes in the rolling hills of red clay. At harvest, these farmers bring gorgeous fruit to the town winery (Virgen de la Sierra) and are paid for the quality of their fruit, not the quantity! The focus and dedication to the vine is absolutely inspiring, and Manuel knows how to express their land's fruit perfectly, and does so for an incredible value. If all co-ops could have half the integrity that these people do for their wine, then a wine cooperative's general reputation would be much different... but since this is the only one we have found in Spain that we love and respect... the Lo Brujo wines are hands down the greatest value that we can offer.
lo brujo blanco
100% macabeo Lo Brujo Macabeo is a 100% Macabeo that is grown on 30 year old bush vines high in the mountains of Calatayud and is made in the typical Spanish style of white wines with no barrel aging. The juice sees skin contact for 10-12 hours before it begins its 25-30 day, low-temperature fermentation. After an extra month in tank, the wine is lightly filtered, fined with only bentonite, and then bottled for release in the spring. It is crisp and playful, with emerging flavors of tropical fruit and citrus making it fresh and well-balanced, refreshing and vivacious, and an unbelievable value that can be enjoyed on its own, or to paired with a wide range of cuisine. |
lo brujo rosado
100% garnacha Lo Brujo Rosado is an excellent example of the full flavors that come from Garnacha grown in this region. Fruit from 15-20 year old vineyards, this wine is fruity and fresh, with concentrated strawberry and raspberry flavors making it smooth and well-structured. A highly versatile wine that will pair well with almost any dish. Typically this wine sees a fairly traditional maceration period of just under 3 days, lending itself to the classic Spanish style rosdao, with a rich pink color, and structure that agrees. Low temperature fermentation followed by extended time in tank, this rosado showcases the beautiful vivacity that retains Lo Brujo’s consistent style. |
lo brujo garnacha
100% garnacha Lo Brujo Garnacha comes from old vine fruit in the rolling red hills of Calatayud. Sustainably farmed fruit comes into the cellar for a natural fermentation in stainless steel, naturally settles in the cod winter, and is aged for 9 months in the bottle before release. It has an expressive bouquet of brambly blackberry, black cherry, red currant, and a healthy dose of spice, in particular black pepper. In the mouth it is full of concentrated berry flavors, lovely spiciness, and a strong yet well-balanced underline of minerality. Made from Garnacha grapes selected from bush vines averaging 50 years in age, and an outstanding value. |
LAJAS
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lajas 'finca el peñiscal'
100% garnacha tinta Lajas Garnacha Tinta is a single varietal wine coming from a 3-hectare plot of very special Garnacha vines planted in 1947. The soil is called Lajas, and is remarkably special for the area, as it is the same black quartz and schist combination that is found in Priorat known as Llicorella. This oily stone-filled vineyard produces intense fruit with incredible balance destined for the final bottling. Once brought into the winery, the grapes go through a very gentle de-stemming before moved into large cement tanks for natural fermentation. Once malolactic has finished in cement, the wine is moved to neutral French barrels for 15 months to age. The final wine is complex and elegant, yet rustic and burly. Gripping tannins fronted by brambly and spicy fruit shine through first and foremost on the palate, but is followed by fresh earthy tones and slatey minerality. The wine finishes with a lingering balance that makes most high-caliber Priorats seem pedestrian. |