This old winemaking area has recently found a second lease of life, evolving rapidly since winning DO status in 1980. The terroir, which lies on the high northern meseta, spreads out spaciously on gently rolling land between towns that played an important part in Spain's medieval history.
Extensive replanting of the area's native grapes, in particular Verdejo, has led to a new generation of fresh, young, very fruity wines that are now beginning to be aged.
Today nearly all bodegas are fitted with stainless-steel winemaking equipment, and, to prevent oxidisation, they use mechanical harvesting at night and inert gas-blanketing of the grapes from vineyard to press. At the same time winemakers here continue to make the most traditional Spanish Sherry-style wines - such as oxidised rancios and generosos, which are aged under a layer of natural yeast (flor) - from Palomino grapes planted after phylloxera destroyed the vines.
In autumn 2001 the DO decided to make provision for red-wine making in its regulations.
Bodegas Felix Sanz
