Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez

In 1972, Alejandro Fernández of Pesquera de Duero initiated the replanting of Spain's Ribera del Duero appellation with the area's first modern wire-trained vineyard, his Viña Alta in Pesquera. This was at a time when the region was still actively replacing vineyards with irrigated crops such as sugar beets, aided in part by Alejandro and his revolutionary, patented harvesting equipment. His first love was wine, and by 1972 his machinery business had developed to the point which allowed him to establish Bodegas Alejandro Fernández, his Tinto Pesquera destined to demonstrate the greatness of a long-neglected terroir and to create an international wine which revitalized an entire wine district not to mention the whole lethargic Spanish wine scene. In the middle 1980's as Tinto Pesquera was taking its place among the most intriguing and powerful icons in the world of wine, Alejandro spied a neglected slope along the Duero River which had the appearance of being the most ideal vineyard site in the region, perhaps in all Spain: One full kilometer of southfacing mountain slope leading right to the river's edge, remarkable in the absence of intervening, level benchland terrain. A full range of the ideal soils preferred by the Tempranillo variety, from gravel to clay with a chalky base, suggested the potential for a multitude of styles from this grape, which while difficult, contains the essential material to create the complexity and balance required in a great wine. Although abandoned for years because of its unsuitability for the growing of irrigated crops, the slope consisted of hundreds of small parcels with individual and stubborn ownership. Three years of continuous negotiation beginning in late 1986 resulted in the first planting of 100,000 vines on 45 hectares (113 acres) in 1989. As more of the slope was acquired, preparations ensued for planting in mid-1996 nearing completion with over 200 hectares (500 acres) established of prime Tempranillo vines. Entirely within the county once controlled by the fortified medieval hilltop village of Haza high above the opposite bank of the Duero, the vineyard estate became known as Condado de Haza in commemoration of past as well as future nobility. Condado de Haza Tinto reflects the bold and brilliant winemaking style of Alejandro Fernández, unrivaled master of Spain's Tempranillo variety. Bottled after 15 months in American oak, like Tinto Pesquera it can be enjoyed early yet will reward patient cellaring. Also like Pesquera, Condado de Haza is allocated on release to Alejandro's faithful and growing clientele.

Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez  in  Ontario