DOP Cebreros is a wine lover’s paradise tucked away in southeastern Avila. This special region covers 1,663 square kilometers of diverse landscapes. Here, old vines thrive in unique conditions.
The star of the show? Garnacha Tinta. This grape variety covers 85% of the vineyards. But don’t overlook Albillo Real, a rare white grape unique to this area. It makes up 10% of the plantings.
Vineyard sites are located from 600 to 1,200 meters above sea level. They cling to valley floors and mountain slopes. The soils are mostly granite, with some areas of schist. This mix gives DOP Cebreros wines their special character.
The climate is Mediterranean with a continental influence. But in these mountains, each valley has a pronounced microclimate.
Rich History
The first written record of viticulture in the area dates back to 1272. When the Bishop of Avila rented land to a family to plant vines. That’s over 750 years of wine history!
In 1513, Cebreros is referenced in the book «Obra de Agricultura» by Gabriel Alonso Herrera. This put Cebreros on the map as a notable wine region.
The 16th century saw a wine boom in Cebreros. The wines became famous, sold in Madrid and Avila alongside those from San Martín de Valdeiglesias.
In the 19th century, red wine production surged. This led to the creation of the «Sociedad Vinícola Cebrereña». This group was serious about wine. They had their own bank, library, and even covered medical expenses for members.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In 1909, phylloxera hit Avila. This pest devastated vineyards across Europe. But Cebreros was one of the last areas affected in Spain. Some vines even survived ungrafted until the 1960s, thanks to the sandy soils.
The 20th century brought several challenges. The arrival of Phylloxera combined with an ageing population and the rural exodus to cities, led to widespread abandonment of vineyards. In spite of these challenges, the wine tradition continued in Cebreros.
In 1970, Cebreros got official recognition. The «Estatuto de la Viña, del Vino y de los Alcoholes» named Garnacha and Albillo as the authorized grapes for the area.
1986 marked another milestone. Cebreros wines could now use the quality label «Vino de la Tierra». The EU recognized this in 1989.
Finally, in 2017, Cebreros received «protección nacional transitoria» from the Junta de Castilla y Leon. This set the stage for its current status as a Denomination of Protected Origin (DOP).
🎧 Dive Deeper: Hear how DOP Cebreros overcame recent challenges to reclaim its position as a leading wine region. Listen to Episode 1 of our podcast series featuring producers Dani Landi and Daniel Ramos.
DOP Cebreros Today
Today, DOP Cebreros stands as a testament to resilience and quality in Spanish winemaking. Today, 24 wineries call DOP Cebreros home. These producers are the stewards of the region’s winemaking tradition, crafting wines that speak of this unique terroir.
The region boasts 500 hectares of vineyards, divided into 1,143 individual plots. This patchwork of small vineyards, averaging just 0.43 hectares each, speaks to the artisanal nature of winemaking here.
This intimate scale allows for meticulous care of the vines, resulting in high-quality grapes. In 2023, the region harvested 970,000 kilograms of grapes, a testament to the productivity of these ancient vines.
DOP Cebreros is working to focus on the origin of its wines. Since 2020, it has been possible to use Minor Geographical Units admitted so far in the DOP Cebreros, “Sierra de Gredos», «Valle del Alberche», «Valle de Iruelas», «Valle del Tiétar» and «Vino dePueblo». In 2024, the specifications were updated and the terms «Vino de Paraje» and «Vino de Parcela» can also be used.
Connecting With Gredos
Since 2023, the spirit of DOP Cebreros comes alive each year at Conectando Gredos, an annual wine festival that showcases the best of the region. The 2024 edition, aptly named Conectando Gredos 2.0, was a day to remember.
Held at the impressive Casa del Parque de El Valle de Iruelas, the event drew around 300 attendees, mostly wine professionals. It was a celebration not just of DOP Cebreros, but of the entire Gredos mountain range, featuring Garnacha and Albillo Real wines from Cebreros, Méntrida, Vinos de Madrid, and beyond.
The festival was a collaborative effort, organized by DOP Cebreros with support from the Diputación de Ávila, the Junta de Castilla y León, and the municipalities of El Barraco, Cebreros, Navaluenga, and El Tiemblo.
Guests arrived from noon, many taking advantage of the «GredosBus» from Madrid, which was fully booked weeks in advance. For a symbolic entry fee of €5, attendees received a cloth bag, a hat, and a tasting glass – their passport to sample wines from the 31 participating wineries. The official inauguration took place around 1 PM, with speeches from Carlos García, President of the Diputación de Ávila, Rafael Mancebo, President of DOP Cebreros, José Francisco Hernández, territorial delegate of the Junta de Castilla y León, and José María Manso, mayor of El Barraco. They all praised the outstanding work of the region’s wineries in recent years.
A highlight of the event was the live recording of two podcasts. In Spanish, «Todo Para Compartir», one of the most influential gastronomic podcasts in Spain, captured the flavors and stories of the festival. For English speakers, «Interpreting Wine», a specialized wine podcast, brought the essence of Conectando Gredos to an international audience.
🎧 Curious about the sights, sounds, and tastes of this unique wine festival? Tune into Episode 2 of our podcast series for an insider’s look at Conectando Gredos 2024.
🍷 Join Us Next Year: Are you a wine professional interested in attending the next Conectando Gredos on Sunday 1 June 2025? Don’t miss out on this celebration of Gredos wines!
Register Your Interest Here
Exploring DOP Cebreros Vineyards
DOP Cebreros is a tapestry of diverse landscapes, each contributing its unique character to the wines. The Minor Geographical Units in the Cebreros PDO are «Valle del Alberche», «Valle del Tiétar» and «Valle de Iruelas».
Each of these areas contributes to the rich diversity of DOP Cebreros wines. The interplay of altitude, soil types, and microclimates creates a fascinating range of expressions in the Garnacha and Albillo Real grapes.
Here is an up-to-date list of DOP Cebreros member wineries and the municipalities to which each belongs.
- Rico Nuevo (Burgohondo)
- Viñas Viejas de Pegaso (Cebreros)
- Viñadores de Gredos (Cebreros)
- Bruma Agrícola (Cebreros)
- Tierras de Cebreros (Cebreros)
- Las Dehesillas (Cebreros)
- La Bodega Azul (Cebreros)
- La Unidad (Cebreros)
- Don Juan del Águila (El Barraco)
- Daniel Ramos (El Tiemblo)
- Ausín (Gavilanes)
- Huellas del Tiétar (Lanzahita)
- Cható Gañan (Navahondilla)
- 7 Navas (Navaluenga)
- Domaine Dexaie (Navaluenga)
- Nietos de Señora María (Navandrinal)
- 10 Delirios (Navatalgordo)
- Alma Rural (Navatalgordo)
- Bodega El Callejón (San Esteban del Valle)
- El Reventón (San Juan de la Nava)
- Las Pedreras (Villanueva de Ávila)
- Comando G (Villanueva de Ávila)
- VDA Viticultores (Villanueva de Ávila)
- Arroyo del Moro (Villanueva de Ávila)
🎧 Virtual Vineyard Tour: Ready to explore these unique terroirs in depth? Join us in Episode 3 of our podcast series as we take you on a journey through the stunning vineyards of DOP Cebreros.
Why DOP Cebreros Matters
DOP Cebreros isn’t just another wine region. It’s a hidden gem that’s reshaping Spain’s wine landscape. Here’s why it matters:
- Unique Terroir: The mix of high altitudes, diverse soils, and varied microclimates creates wines unlike any other.
- Old Vines: Many vineyards here are old, some over 100 years. These vines produce less fruit, but what they make is intense and complex.
- Indigenous Grapes: Garnacha and Albillo Real shine here. These grapes show their best when grown in Cebreros’ special conditions.
- Sustainability: Many vineyards here are tended by hand, using traditional methods that respect the land.
- Preserving Heritage: By supporting DOP Cebreros, you’re helping keep alive centuries-old winemaking traditions.
- Focus on origin: The labels don’t focus on aging times, rather they focus the origin of the grapes.
- Diversity in Spanish Wine: Cebreros offers flavors and styles that expand what people think of as «Spanish wine.»
Conclusion
DOP Cebreros is more than just a wine region. It’s a place where history, tradition, and innovation meet. From its high-altitude vineyards to its passionate winemakers, Cebreros offers a unique window into Spanish wine.
Whether you’re a wine professional or an enthusiast, DOP Cebreros has something special to offer. Its wines tell the story of a place, of people, and of vines that have stood the test of time.
As you sip a glass of Cebreros wine, you’re tasting history, tasting the land, and tasting the future of Spanish wine.
🍇 Discover DOP Cebreros: Ready to explore this hidden gem of Spanish wine? Listen to our full podcast series to dive deep into the world of Cebreros wines.
🍷 Join the Cebreros Wine Community: Don’t miss the chance to experience Cebreros wines firsthand at the next Conectando Gredos event.
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