A reduced production but with great possibilities

Three basic factors explain the development and productivity of vines every year. Temperatures and rainfall throughout the year have a significant influence, and also pests and diseases which, depending on the former two factors, can also have an impact on vines and the quality of wines. 

The rainfall in 2019 was distributed fairly evenly throughout the growth cycle and the total amount of 462.4 litres/m² was a little lower than an average year (510 litres/m²). 

A hail storm on 25 August had serious effects on vineyards located to the south of Laguardia and Elvillar. The San Ginés, Valmayor, Cuerdamayor, La Ceposilla, Parredonda, and Las Ventas plots, among others, were the most damaged.  

Regarding temperatures, the winter was not an excessively cold one except for a few days at the end of December and the start of January when the thermometer dropped to – 4.8ºC. February was a relatively warm month, with temperatures climbing as high as 22 ºC on some days. 

Springtime temperatures were quite average but a little higher than usual around the spring equinox when they reached 21 ºC. They then continued to rise until the end of May which was warmer than usual, at 29.1ºC. Although the first fortnight of June was cool, the rest of the summer maintained typical summer temperatures with maximum figures over 36 ºC in late July. High temperatures continued into August before starting to fall in the third week until harvest time. The harvest began on 20 September with white grapes and finished on 10 October with the Tempranillo variety.  

It was a year with no noteworthy effects on the plants from diseases. The lower rainfall and relatively high summer temperatures helped the vines to stay healthy throughout their growth cycle.  

As a consequence of the year's climate, 2019 saw a reduction of 35% in production compared to 2018. This is down to, on the one hand, problems with the budding of the plants leading to fewer flowers on each vine and, also, the low rainfall and fluctuations in temperatures which led to a reduction in pollination too, meaning fewer grapes per bunch. Taken together with the effects of the hail storm experienced in several vineyards, it means that this year’s production is considerably lower than that of the previous year. 

To sum up, a short harvest with an average production of 3,200 kg per hectare of high quality grapes. 

This is definitely a vintage with great potential regarding the quality of wines. In general, we will enjoy wines rich in mature and fresh fruit, with great depth, a dense mouth, and well-combined tannins generating a solid structure in perfect balance with the wines' silky caressing sensations.