Abel Mendoza Monge

Among the newest wineries in Rioja, one of the most recognized is Abel Mendoza Monge. This small winery was founded in 1988 in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, town of great wine tradition. Although in its beginning was dedicated to the production of young red wines, currently focuses its production on wines aged. This turnaround occurred in 1998 with red Abel Mendoza Selección Personal 1998, raised in oak barrels for eleven months of carefully selected French oak (Nevers and Allier). Its production was only 4,500 bottles. Its vineyards, 16 hectares, are located on the banks of the Ebro, in varied terrain and soils that combine clay, marls and fine sandstones. They are 30 year old vines of Tempranillo and Malvasia varieties. The crop is made following organic farming methods. The wines are marketed under two brands: Jarrarte and Abel Mendoza. All of them, low production and high quality, like those of most new wedge holds the DO Rioja.