Hermanos Hernaiz, GM Guardacumbres, Rioja Alta, 2023

Perched at 600 meters and sheltered by the Sierra de Cantabria and Sierra Demanda, this 1.6-hectare vineyard is home to century-old vines managed through sustainable, regenerative viticulture. Planted in the traditional marco real pattern, the shallow, limestone-clay soils create a unique ecosystem where Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Calagraño, and Viura grow alongside native trees and wildlife. The narrow spacing between vines prohibits mechanisation, demanding that all labor be performed by hand to respect this historic, mixed-variety plot.

The vintage itself was defined by a warm, oscillating spring and a dry start, followed by vital June rains that provided essential water reserves. While August brought significant heat, the vines’ sub-soil moisture allowed them to thrive, while cooler July nights and a temperate, wet September slowed ripening. This gentle finish was crucial for the aromatic development of the grapes, allowing these hundred-year-old vines to produce a wine that remarkably retains the freshness and acidity often lost in warmer years.