![]() The Valdespino family had the foresight to register the term SACRISTIA as a comercial brand and it has thus received legal protection in the register of brands and patents since 1910. In May 1883 the firm received a Royal Warrant to supply the Spanish Royal Household, and since 1932 it has also been a supplier to the Royal Swedish Household. All of this provides ideal conditions giving balance, minerality and power and great personality to the wines, fully justifying the description of “classic pago” in world viticulture.Īlthough there are dated references in books relating to comercial activity going back to 1430, The firm AR Valdespino was born in 1875. It is orientated towards the sea, which allows those vineyards planted on 100% albariza soil, perfect for vine cultivation, to benefit to the maximum from the westerly Poniente winds. Macharnudo Alto is among the highest pagos in the región (at 135 metres above sea level it is the highest of the classic pagos of the Denominaci ón de Origen Jerez-X ér ès-Sherry). All these factors have contributed to the fame of the Macharnudo, which was already regarded as a classic of Jerez – and indeed worldwide – viticulture in the XIX century. Thus history and tradition are enhanced by its particular properties (soil and orientation) which means that the wines produced from the vineyards of this pago, situated north east of Jerez, have tremendous personality. There is documentary evidence that vines were already being cultivated in this area in the XIII century. History, tradition and clacisism are three essential features of this legendary vineyard area, but one should also take into account its location, orientation and soil conditions which together give it its definition. This reserve of moisture contributes to the development of the vines´roots which penetrate the soil up to a depth of over four metres allowing the plant a wáter supply to meet its needs. When it dries out again in high temperatures it forms a cap which severely restricts evaporation and under which the water is imprisoned. When it rains, it absorbs the moisture like a sponge. Soft when the weather is wet, it forms hard lumps when it is dry. The “albariza”, thanks to its high content of calcium carbonate, its clay-like texture, doesn´t crack. This rainfall is typically concentrated between the end of the harvest and and the start of grape formation on the vines and is stored in the depths of the albariza soils allowing a regulated water supply via the roots to the plants themselves.Īdded to that the mild climate, in which the high summer temperaturas are alleviated by dewfall from Atlantic mists, favours both a balanced ripening of the fruit and the formation and maintenance of the amazing flor yeast which covers the surface of Fino and Manzanilla making these wines unique. ![]() Rainfall in the Sherry region is high in comparative terms with an average of around 600 litres a year which is higher than the average for other important wine regions. ![]() ![]() Valdespino alone owns 56.2 hectares of which 15 hectares are pruned to vara y pulgar and the rest to double cordon. All the Valdespino grapes come from the pago Macharnudo Alto which lies some 5 kilometres north east of Jerez, in the heart of the district, in the privileged zone of Jerez Superior, orientated south west. Thanks to this firm focus on the soils of the Jerez región, José Estévez is the only bodega in the región which uses raw materials which come 100% from the Denominación de Origen Sherry and Manzanilla de Sanlúcar, that is to say grapes and alcohol for the fortification of the Sherries. The firm is the proprietor of the bodegas Valdespino, Marqués del Real Tesoro and La Guita, all established well over a century ago. The firm owns 800 hectares of vineyard making it the largest grower of grapes in the Sherry región - and indeed in Andalucía - accounting for 12% of the total in the DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. Its focus is decidedly aimed at the soil, the origin of the wines which gives them their caracter and identity. The José Estévez Group of bodegas is one of the key players in the sector. ![]()
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