Rio Madre Rosé

D.O.Ca. Rioja

Bodegas y Viñedos Ilurce is located in Alfaro, the historical capital of southern Rioja

100% Garnacha

Ilurce owns 45 Ha. (110 acres) of estate grown vineyards planted in the foothills of the Sierra de Yerga.

1917-1997

Traditional dry farmed viticulture. All of Ilurce's vineyards are cared for without the use of chemically synthesized fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, or elemental fertilizers. All of the oldest vineyards are dry farmed.

Alluvial, rocky soils deposited by the Ebro River and reinforced by runoff from the Sierra de Yerga. The soils are sandy or clayey in texture and have a high proportion of iron. Unlike northwestern Rioja, the soils have low levels of calcium.

Mediterranean

Hand-harvested bunches are rigorously sorted at the winery before being destemmed but not crushed. A 12-hour cold maceration takes place in stainless steel tanks before the must is pressed off in a pneumatic press. The must undergoes a 24 hour settling and is inoculated with neutral yeast. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures.

Aged sur lie for two months in tank.

The Escudero famiily of Alfaro have been growing grapes and producing wine in the foothills of the Sierra de Yerga since the early 20th century. Today, they own 45 Ha. of estate vineyards, which, until 2010, were completely used for the production and sale of bulk wine. In 2010, they began bottling and selling estate produced wines. While they were pioneers and are well known for their monovarietal Graciano's, they are also famous for producing an extremely high quality traditionally styled dark Rioja Rosado.