Sierra Cantabria Organza

D.O.Ca. Rioja

San Vicente de la Sonsierra

45% Viura, 30% Garnacha Blanca, 25% Malvasía

Estate owned vineyards surrounding the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, sandwiched between the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range and the Ebro River.

1950-1975

Practicing organic dry farmed viticulture with certain selective biodynamic practices. Vineyards trained as spur-pruned goblet vines as well as high density trellises. Manual work and harvest, with no mechanization whatsoever.

Calcareous clay soils that are typical to the Sonsierra Riojana. Limestone rich clay soils that are sandwiched between large slabs of lime-sandstone mother rock.

Continental with heavy Atlantic influences that are moderated by the Sierra Cantabria.

The grapes undergo rigorous double-manual sorting, both before and after destemming. All three varieties cold soak for 12 hours before a gentle pneumatic press. The must ferments in new medium plus toast French oak barrique (Vosgues) with indigenous yeast selected and isolated from the Eguren family's vineyards. Malolactic fermentation is blocked.

Eleven months sur lie, with battonage twice per week during the first six months.

Sierra Cantabria Organza is the result of the Eguren family's goal of producing a great, long-lived white wine from the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. The blend of the varietals is to produce as complete a wine as possible. Viura is used to impart body, Malvasía to impart acidity, and Garnacha Blanca for aromatics. A wine that is very enjoyable when young, but shows its true greatness after six to ten years.