Ranking just behind Italy and France in world wine production, Spain now celebrates its youth as a capitalist democracy by becoming a major player in wine exporting. Tradition spanning many centuries underlies the Spanish wine industry, which was centuries old when Spain sent explorers and missionaries to the New World, where vineyards and religion were simultaneously planted. Today, Spain has combined its vinous ancestry with the latest technology to take its wine abroad. Northern regions dominate vineyard plantings, which stretch across Rioja, Penedes, Ribera Del Duero, Rias Baixas, Priorato, Emporda and Jerez, birthplace of Sherry, in the far south.

No other nation can challenge Spanish sparkling wine production. Labeled as Cava (cellar), over 220 million bottles of Iberian bubbles are sold annually, at prices well below Champagne, though not lacking in quality and, as in France, fermented in the bottle. Mitchell Wines currently offers both sparkling and still wines.

CAMPO DE BORJA
Bodega Quo
Bodega Quo is located in Ainzon, in Northern Aragon. The vineyards extend onto the slopes of the nearby mountains, with vines planted between 1000 and 2000 feet with an average yield of only 4500 kg/Has. The vineyards have a continental climate influenced by the Atlantic ocean in winter and by the Mediterranean in summer. The soil is brown-calcareous, with medium amounts of stones and good drainage. In the vineyards closerto the Moncayo mountains, the soil is clay-ferrous and rocky. The temperature contrasts between day and night, and among the seasons, are extreme. Rainfall is rare, with yearly averages between 350 mm in the low areas and reaching to about 450 mm in higher areas.

The main grape variety used is Grenache. This grape, uniquely adapted to these extreme conditions, has low yields but produces wines with intense color and powerful aromas of red, mature fruits. Most of the grapes for marques de Reala are hand-picked. The fermentation process takes place in stainless steel at a temperature between 24 and 26 C, only native yeasts are used. Old subterranean deposits are used to store the wines at ideal temperatures and humidity.

Santo Cristo
Founded in 1956, Bodegas Santo Cristo is now a modern winery owning about 1200 hectares of vineyards of autochthonous Garnacha, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mazuelo and Macabeo. Prime vineyards cover terraces along the River Huecha and the Plasencia Plateau, in an area designated as the Somontano de Moncayo. Significant recent investment in vineyard management and new technology has provided Bodegas Santo Cristo with the necessary equipment and modern installations, with over 780 Bordeaux casks of American oak, to produce excellent quality, modern, stylish wines which are becoming highly regarded in international markets.

CASTILLO
Bodegas Tikalo
La Mancha is one of the few areas of Spain that benefits from one single climate instead of two or three such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero. This Continental climate favors the extremes, with very cold winters and very hot summers. In the summer, and because of the altitude (often over 700 meters), the nights are quite cool which is perfect for an grape maturation. Soils in the zone are usually clay and limestone, with small patches of granite and gypsum.

Winemaking at the estate focuses on preserving the purity of the raw material without trying to introduce additional complexity with heavy-handed usage of wood. Fermentation is always at low temperature to preserve natural aromas and the wines age in tank or in wood for only a short time. Maturity levels are higher than at most estates in the zone, and is demonstrated with unctuous flavors of black fruit and jam. Natural acidity levels are quite high as the altitude allows for very cool nights.

For a property with over 990 acres, one would not expect hand harvesting, but it is a principle by which Tikalo strictly abides. After hand-harvesting in small baskets, the grapes undergo a thorough table triage to select only the most ripe bunches before crush. While Tempranillo is widely planted, other varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah have performed quite well and have earned their place in the blends of the zone.

Finca Muñoz
As a string of medals show, the Muñoz family are masters of full-flavoured reds in the smooth, velvety style of old Spain. Their sumptuous Tempranillo - made from vines planted over a century ago - is a rare treat and one to be enjoyed.

Legado Muñoz
Legado Muñoz is single vineyard estate wine made by the Muñoz winery in Noblejas, close to Toledo, in the center of Spain. The Muñoz winery was founded in 1940. Bodegas Muñoz is family owned, and Bienvenido Muñoz, the third generation to work the vineyards, was named 2004’s Best Winemaker of the year in La Mancha. Careful selection of the vines, crop thinning and poor calcareous soils combine to produce exceptionally concentrated and structured wines. 100% Tempranillo from a single vineyard (Las Canteras).

JEREZ
Valdespino
Valdespino stakes a claim as the oldest Sherry bodega, and it is hard to argue with six centuries of Sherry production as evidence. The family have been involved in making Sherry for around 700 years; exactly when they started up is not clear, the information lost in the mists of time. But in the late 13th Century, a Spanish knight, Alonso Valdespino, was granted 30 ha of vineyards by his king. From this small beginning the family established a reputation as an excellent source of the wine. The business that operates today, however, was founded as recently as 1875.

MADRID
Jeromin
Vinos Jeromín is a 3rd Generation Bodega, that produces organic quality values in the three districts of the DO of Vinos de Madrid. Madrid is not only the capital of Spain but one of the most interesting wine growing regions of Spain. The outskirts of this great royal city are full of old Tempranillo and Garnacha vines. Madrid is the great unknown. Most Spaniards do not know that Madrid makes wine, thus the incredible values that Madrid showcases at the present
time.

Vinos Sin-Ley
The literal translation of Vinos Sin Ley is “Wines Without Law”, a project with the twofold objective of creating “new wines” that are focused on expressing their respective grapes and terroirs. Additionally these impressive cuvees offer great value. Vinos Sin-Ley is composed of a group of resourceful young winemakers from all across Spain.

These winemakers make their own small cuvees the way they like at their respective wineries, it’s the Vinos Sin-Ley way of doing things. It’s a win-win situation for both the winery and the winemaker, both parties profiting from learning new winemaking and viticultural techniques.

PENEDES
Bodegas Covides
Covides Vineyards and WIne Cellars offers a point of glamour with the range offered by Gran Castellflorit. Distinguished wines and cavas for distinguished palates, which turn to a wine or cava as the perfect complement for a perfect evening.

The Gran Gesta wines and cavas offer, with a new innovating and vanguard designs, some highest quality wines in their elaboration and with great organoleptic attributes. Fresh wines and cavas, young and easy to drink, which adapt themselves to the necessities of modern catering and which will delight the consumer.

Montsarra
A medieval Catalan farmhouse in the town of Torroelles de Foix is the origin of Heredad Montsarra, a well-known vineyard in Alt Penedes. In 1992, Heredad Montsarra became part of Bardinet, S.A. Montsarra Cava is made from a careful blend of native grapes. Contributing strength and quality, Macabeo makes up 60 to 70 percent of the blend; Xarello, which comprises 15 to 20 percent, adds substance and structure; and Parellada, at 15 to 20 percent, supplies the deep aroma. Once blended, the cava receives a second fermentation in the cellars, where the temperature is constant and the wine is protected against light and vibration. Monstarra Cava is typically cellared for a minimum of 1 1/2 to 2 years.  More information can be viewed here on the Supplier's website.

Bodegas Navaran
Caves Naverán, a premium Estate-own-Cava producer, wasfounded in 1985 by Swiss born Michel Gilleron Parellada. He owns 272 acres of vines in the Alt (high) Penedés sub-region, in the town of Torrelavit.

100% Estate owned vineyards allow for higher quality control and produce consistently superior quality wines. Old vines result in smaller yields, increasing concentration and grape quality. 85% of the Cavas made by Naveran are sold in France – the birthplace and home of Champagne!

Parés Baltà
The vineyards of Parés Baltà are spread out over five premium estates, located in different villages, approximately ten kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. They extend through valleys and mountains at altitudes between 170 and 800 meters above sea level. Having vineyards spread out through a relatively large area and a diverse geography means that one will find a wide variety of soils and micro climates on the estate. The micro climates are defined by the geography hence the altitude, the level of rainfall, sun exposure, the influence from the sea, or the influence from the river Foix that divides the valley. This is expressed through the wide variety of wines produced on the estate.

Parés Baltà prides itself in using ecologically friendly farming techniques, such as using sheep to fertilize the vineyards, thus eliminating any need for artificial fertilizers and bees to facilitate pollination. In 2004 the winery was certified "organic".

RIAS BAIXAS
Felix Callejo
The Felix Callejo family has been growing grapes for 4 generations in Sotillo de la Ribera with little changes. Grapes are still  carefully tended, selected and hand-picked. The family owns 60 ha in Sotillo de la Ribera, the very heart of Ribera del Duero, planted with some of the best vines in the region. The age of the vines range from 25 to 50 years. Yields are limited naturally by the hard continental climate and a poor soil of low fertility. On top of that, Jose Felix, the winemaker, does a strict green prunning and selection; an average of only 8 bunches are allowed per plant. The maximum yield obtained is 4000 kg/ha.

RIBERO DEL DUERO
Bodegas Diaz Bayo
The grapes for the 2006 Nuestro are sourced from the highest altitude vineyards in Ribera del Duero. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it gives up a fragrant nose of mineral, cedar, incense, and blackberry. Layered bordering on plush on the palate, it has excellent depth, savory flavors, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Give it two years to fully blossom and drink it through 2018.

Hornillos Ballesteros
Great friends, Miguel Hornillos and oenologist Javier Ballesteros, are genuine “garagiste” winemakers. Both agronomists, born into a grape growing tradition, share the philosophy that ecologically friendly farming and methodical grape selection is essential to attain the unique character and high quality of their wines.

What makes these wines unique? 1) Meticulous ecologically sound farming in diverse soil. 2) Highly innovative winemaking. 3) The high altitude and cool climate of this eastern Ribera del Duero outpost. 4) All selected very small production cuvees. 5) Only one of 5 “garagiste” winemakers in the Ribera del Duero.

Bodegas Torremorón
The word Torremorón means the Tower of the Moors in English. Ribera del Duero possesses great contrast of day and night temperatures. As an example, during August, day temperatures will hit the 100‘s and at night the 50‘s. this broad swing of temperatures allows the Tempranillo grape to develop thicker skins and achieve greater skin to juice ratios. As a result we find that the Tempranillo grape has its greatest expression of color and
intensity of flavor in this region. More information about this winery can be viewed here.

RIBERA DE GUARDIANA
Bodegas Ortiz
A good wine needs good conservation and ageing. For this reason at Bodegas Ortiz, we have underground ageing cellars where we can control the humidity and in this way guarantee the very best conditions for our wines.

Quality begins in the vineyard, therefore we have our own vines which we manage ourselves, located in different parts of the Origin Appelation Ribera del Guadiana where the average height above sea level is 520 mts. Its dry climate offers perfect conditions for the production of our varieties of wine, highighting Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in red and Pardina and Macabeo in white wine.

RIOJA
Altanza
Bodegas Altanza is located in Fuenmayor, at the heart of the Rioja Alta. When Oscar Martinez created Bodegas Altanza in 1998, he was hardly new to making wine. Oscar is the third generation of a well respected family of winemakers in Rioja. Altanza has 120 ha planted with Tempranillo around Fuenmayor, in the center of Rioja Alta. Tempranillo is the only varietal planted on the estate. Oscar wants to create wines with all the tipicity and elegance of Rioja but with more intensity and concentration, and decided not to blend Tempranillo with any other varietal.

Bodegas Don Sancho Londoño
Bodegas Don Sancho Londoño in Hormilla, (La Rioja) currently owns 103 acres of vineyard land within Rioja Alta. Londono is located in the town of Hormilla, within the Rioja Alta (Zone 3). The vineyards are located in two distinct towns: one in Briones (predominantly clay and limestone) and another in the town of Arenzana (sand). Both of these towns are approximately at 1,865 ft elevation.

What makes Don Sancho Londono wines Unique? 1) Bodegas D.S. Londoño has a variety of vineyards, allowing the talented and gifted David Sampedro to select from the finest grapes for Cortijo. 2) Simple yet thoroughly satisfying “easy drinking” wines for “everyday” consumption with intense fruit driven character, bright aromatics, supple tannins and well-balanced structure. 3) This level of quality at this price point is virtually impossible to find in Rioja. Cortijo is a GREAT value!

Exopto Cellars
Winemaker Tom Puyaubert brings us Exopto Cellars wines: Big Bang, Horizonte de Exopto and Exopto. In the Rioja DO (Zone 3), within the Rioja Alavesa sub zone; the winery is located in the town of Laguardia. The vineyards are in the town of Ábalos, at an altitude of 2,014 ft. Of the 3 districts in Rioja (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja), the Rioja Alavesa is the coolest and has the highest amounts of precipitation.

What makes Exopto unique? 1) Genuine terroir driven wines and innovative winemaking 2) The combination of soil and climate, freshness, aromatics and fruit concentration. 3) Small production wines 4) Tempranillo vines are between 50-90 years old and the Graciano vines are 30 to 100 years old contributing to the small yields.

RUEDA
Agrícola Castellana

Bodega Balnea

Hermonos del Villar
The del Villar brothers founded Bodega Hermanos del Villar in 1995, with 247 acres of vines in the town of Rueda. Their most widely planted grape varieties are: for white – Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura (also known as Macabeo) and for red –Tempranillo.

What makes Hermanos del Villar wines unique? 1) The innovative and brilliant Pablo del Villar’s tireless efforts to make the BEST wine possible, through innovative vinification techniques such us battonage in Stainless Steel tanks of 5,000 lit. 2) Unique soil profile of these terroir driven wines. 3) Fermented with the natural occurring yeasts from their own grapes 4) Nighttime harvesting maintains freshness while minimizing oxidation. 5) Vines are over 30 years old, producing lower yields, 5 to 10 clusters per vine.

TERRA ALTA
Bodegas Vinos Pinol
Since its inception, in 1945 by Josep Arrufi, making small quantities of well crafted wines with passion, love and respect for the land and the vines is what Celler Vinos Piñol is all about. This tradition continues to this day with Josefina Piñol and her son, winemaker Juanjo Galcera Piñol, the 4th generation, at the helm. Celler Vinos Piñol owns 100 acres of carefully tended vines, in and around the medieval town of Batea, in the Terra Alta district of the Tarragona province.

What makes Vinos Piñol unique? 1) Small production wines from low yielding older vines using ecologically friendly methods and manual harvesting in the estate’s organically grown vineyards. 2) Producing terroir driven, deeply colored, well structured, well balanced wines. 3) Family owned estate vineyards. 4) Consistent quality year after year. 5) Talented young winemaker Juanjo Galcera Piñol‘s blending philosophy.

VALENCIA
Bodegas Enguera
Bodegas Enguera was founded in 1999 by Pedro Perez Pardo in inland Valencia (region). They currently own 445 acres of vines, primarily Monastrell, Tempranillo and Merlot. They also grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and smaller quantities of a variety of white grapes.

What makes Enguera unique? 1) The ingenuity of the young and dynamic winemaker Diego Fernandez Pons. 2) All wines made are small to medium production cuvees 3) The well draining, heat retaining sand, offsets the high rainfall during the growing season, by minimizing moisture. 5) Due to it’s high altitude, Enguera has cool average growing season temperatures (60.8º F) for a Mediterranean climate, resulting in very aromatic, fruit expressive wines.

La Ardilla

YECLA
Barahonda
Señorio de Barahonda had it’s beginning in 1925 as Bodegas Antonio Candela, which operates separately and still stands in the center of Yecla. Both owned by the Candela family, day to day operations are run by the 4th generation of the family, Alfredo Candela and brother Antonio. Their vineyards cover 840 acres in and around the town of Yecla, in Murcia.

What makes Señorio de Barahonda unique?: 1) Among the oldest Monastrell vines in Spain. 2) Founded in 1925, it is the oldest wineries in Yecla. 3) State of the art winery with estate owned vineyards. 4) One of Señorio de Barahonda’s primary goals is to reveal the Monastrell’s great potential. The genesis of this ambition developed into the Bellum project.

Bellum
Bellum is a joint venture between the Candela Family, Emili Esteve, Michael Martin, Alberto Orte and Patrick Mata. The Bellum project began in 2002, with the objective of producing wines made from 100% Monastrell, in a region ideally suited for it, to demonstrate the virtues of this grape and its true overall potential.

What makes Bellum unique? 1) Made from 100% old vine (low yielding) Monastrell, among the oldest in Spain. 2) Sourced from the finest 14 acres, out of the 840 acres owned by the Candela family. 3) Open vat fermentation 4) The distinct personality of each wine shines by vinifying the parcels separately. 5) Bellum project’s primary objective is to reveal the Monastrell’s great potential.