Energy which comes from the sky and the earth and is transformed into wine
A biodynamic treasure in the heart of Fermoselle
What can I say about the cellar and vineyards of Principia? I will try and be as impartial as possible, although all of us are at least slightly biased when talking about the things we love.
My name is Roberto Rodríguez Núñez and part of my family descends from this singular village named Fermoselle, situated between the Duero and Tormes rivers. Imagine the spectacle. Additionally it is blessed with being within both a Natural Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Why am I telling you this? The vineyards are found on different slopes: north, south, east and west. In total they cover around 8 hectares and are farmed using biodynamic methods, although they are not certified yet.
The soils are poor or very poor, mainly consisting of granite in various stages of decomposition. We can also find some clay and slate (gneiss). This obliges us to use organic fertilizer and make the most of all the plants which grow in our vineyard, both as compost and as green cover crops. What a joy here in Spring, when everything is in its glory! The different varieties, with their varying colours are mixed together in the same vineyard, alongside olives or apricot trees. Our forebears were very intelligent.
This, for me, is the most incredible biodiversity, which helps our vineyards to receive from the sky, the earth and the sun what they need for the grapes to express what we have in our area. We try not to ruin this gift during the winemaking process in our cellar, which dates from the 1700s, carved out of the slate and granite and sustained with semicircular arches, beneath the earth and houses, with a constant temperature of 12 degrees.
I must not continue talking about the cellar, because it is obvious that I am in love with it. It brings me much happiness making wines in this unusual winery, not least because I feel that my ancestors who made wine here are guiding and advising me so that I can better understand the grapes which come in from the vineyards. These same grapes are hand harvested and rarely exceed 2000 kilos per hectare. The vines regulate themselves, now that they have 100 years of wisdom.
THE WINES
EL ESPINAR
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ORANGE
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ORANGE
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EL ESPINAR
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AURORAS
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FELIPE
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BISABUELOS
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