Cantalapiedra Majuelo La Otea

Grapes: Verdejo from 150-year-old ungrafted vines

Region: Villaneuva de Duero, Rueda, Spain

Vintage: 2018

Viticulture: Organic + Biodynamic

Soils: Sandy soils

Vinification: The whole grapes are pressed and put into French oak barrels, where they are fermented

Aging: 11 months in barrel + tank

Fining or Filtering: None

Sulfur: None added

Notes from the Importer: Being farmers first, they strive to go beyond organic, and incorporate many biodynamic practices into their viticulture. Their grapes are oftentimes harvested later than other producers in the region, with about 7 hectares of their fruit vinified by the Cantalapiedras, while the rest is sold to the old relationships of the family. In the cellar, Manuel utilizes wild yeasts for fermentation, minimal amounts of sulfur, and no other additions. They produce a wide range of wines, from their entry-level village wine called Cantayano, to the more soil-driven, single plot wine called Majuelo del Chivitero, to flor-aged wines (historically traditional for the region), as well as skin-contact and pét-nats with no added SO2. These are winegrowers who promise to be dynamic and forward thinking. Given the excellent quality of the wines right out of the gate, we are beyond excited to see what the future holds for Manuel Cantalapiedra.