When we hear the word 'vigneron', we immediately think of the esteemed French winemaker. However, in La Rioja (Spain), this same figure does not always enjoy the same recognition as in the neighbouring country. The wine boom experienced by the denomination in the second half of the last century and the arrival of large winery groups have relegated traditional grape growers to a secondary role. Fortunately, new generations are attempting to change things. Well-prepared young individuals are stepping forward with innovative ideas and, above all, with an absolute respect for ancestral methods, especially in the vineyard. Specifically, in San Vicente de Sonsierra, the "macanes", as the inhabitants of this village are known in reference to the hoe they used in the fields, are experiencing a true oenological revolution, with the emergence of small projects that combine tradition and modernity. One of these is the project created by Jose Gil (son of Bodegas Olmaza) and his partner Vicky Fernández, a small winery that merges hard work, passion, and professionalism. With a clear influence from Burgundy, they present authentic wines that reflect the terroir.
This is how they introduce Jose Gil El Bardallo, a single-vineyard wine made from tempranillo and a small percentage of viura sourced from a vineyard situated at an altitude of 515 metres above sea level. The 50-year-old vines are planted in calcareous soil, cultivated organically, and harvested manually in 200-kilogram crates at their optimal ripeness. In the winery, fermentation is carried out with complete destemming, and then the wine ages for 10 months in 500-litre French oak barrels.
Demonstrating that the future of viticulture can be bright and sustainable, rooted in a love for their land and heritage, Jose Gil El Bardallo emerges as one of the great revelations of the DOCa Rioja. A single-vineyard wine that embodies the viticultural revolution in San Vicente.