Torremilanos, Finca

The Peñalba Lopez family has owned Finca Torremilanos since 1975, but its winemaking tradition goes back to 1903. Led by matriarch Pilar Pérez Albéniz, one of the most highly respected women in Ribera del Duero, it is at the forefront of both traditional and experimental winemaking. The second-oldest estate in the appellation, in 2015 also earned the distinction of being its first Demeter-certified biodynamic winery.

Located in Aranda de Duero in north central Spain, the 200-hectare estate is found at an altitude of 800-900 meters. Here among their meticulously tended vineyards Doña Pilar’s winemaker/farmer sons Ricardo and Vicente treat the land like another member of the family whom they’ve loved as long as they can remember. The family has a philosophy of respect for the environment, and consider themselves “Artisans of the Earth”. They forgo the use of herbicides or insecticides, practice drylands agriculture, plow using horses, hand-pick their grapes, and ferment using native yeasts only. Growing primarily Tempranillo grapes on a variety of parcels with a range of soil types and levels of sun exposure results in an excitingly diverse, high-quality range of wines. Finca Torremilanos’ passion for the art of growing and vinifying their native variety is both remarkable and moving.