Track: Old vines, historical heritage

This is the story of a vineyard estate, in Salnés Valley, in Galicia: Ouso da Torre, with its century-old vineyards, which is a part of the Cambados history, Albariño’s capital. This vineyard was a maincharacter and witness of the Rías Baixas Origin Appellation borning. As always, in 2023 its grapes were harvested by hand, but this time, in addition, we use digital traceability, strain by strain, satellite control during transport and digital control on the elaboration process in the winery. As an exclusive preview, we can taste a sample of the future 2000 numbered bottles of this albariño Terra de Asorei 2023 Century-old vines, which will be ready by October 2025. An albariño with soul.

Coinciding with the CENTENARY celebrations of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin in 2025, this tasting will take a tour of the historic region, showcasing wines from CENTENARY VINEYARDS and OLD VINEYARDS over 50 years old from the DOCa Rioja. The wines to be tasted also take a tour of the three areas of the Denomination (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental) and their very diverse styles.

Three women committed to the production and promotion of wines born from old vines will present their philosophies. Some are dedicated to recovering old vineyards, while others defend the unique character of each wine in the hospitality industry. In their approach, they prioritize old vineyards for the maximum expression of their authenticity. During the presentation, they will offer a special tasting of their own selections, where they will explain the properties and qualities of each one, highlighting the depth, complexity, and balance achieved with long-standing vine traditions.

A round table featuring three of the most prominent wineries in the preservation of pre-phylloxera vineyards. During the event, the valuable legacy of these century-old vineyards will be highlighted, and some of the authentic enological gems born from them will be tasted. The speakers will share their experiences with traditional viticulture and how these vines, which have stood the test of time, continue to produce wines of exceptional quality and deep historical roots. A unique opportunity to discover wines that carry the most authentic history in every glass.

Family Torres, through their passion for viticulture, has contributed to preserving old vineyards in the territories where they are present, both in Spain and in Chile, giving them a voice through wines that speak of history, culture, and heritage. For this tasting, Mireia Torres and sommelier Sergi Castro have selected 5 expressions of old vines from vineyards they own of different varieties and territories, which are the essence of some of the great wines of this century-old wine family.

Discover the Denomination of Origin Terra Alta through the expertise and perspective of Pedro Ballesteros, Master of Wine, with a selection of the most representative wines from the DO Terra Alta. Grenaches and Carignans that reveal their complexity through extended aging and vintage wines.  

The activity requires prior  registration at comunicacions@doterraalta.cat.

The vision and presentation of three renowned wine masters on their work and personal experience in the recovery of old vines in Spain, as well as their impact on the national and international markets. These experts will share their approach on how ancient vineyards preserve the essence of the land and give a unique identity to wines. The presentation will be accompanied by a grand tasting of carefully selected wines that illustrate and confirm their theories, providing attendees the opportunity to taste and understand the true oenological value of these historic vines.

We bring together three of the country's best sommeliers, ready to share their passion, knowledge, and stories linked to wines from old vines, which carry the memory of the land and those who work it. In this exceptional presentation and tasting, the sommeliers will offer insights into one of the great winemaking legacies of our country: old vines. Through their presentations, they will reveal the quality of these grapes and the wines they produce, delving into their historical value and oenological richness. Each will present a special selection, leading a masterful tasting.

What do old vines bring to the world of wine?

What historical value do they have?

We will taste the best ClàSSic Penedès from old vines, to understand the great heritage value inherited and the responsibility of maintaining these jewels.

The wine industry holds the belief that old vines produce higher quality wines, with low yields but capable of producing grapes full of character and expression of the terroir. However, we wonder if this is merely a perception based on the romanticism of tradition. During the presentation, a blind tasting will take place to explore this question. Through sensory analysis, various factors will be evaluated: Are these wines truly of greater aromatic complexity, structure, or depth than those from younger vines? Or, on the contrary, could the differences be subtle, even imperceptible? What is truth, and what is myth?

We will share the historical knowledge of three renowned winemakers, hailing from different corners of the country, who love and work with very old vines, considered an identity symbol of their wineries, wines, and philosophies. Each of them, with a career marked by passion and respect for winemaking tradition, will, through a masterful tasting, show us how old vines not only define the character of their wines but also represent a cultural and oenological legacy they carefully preserve. Their approach reflects the balance between history and innovation in winemaking

The tasting of five exceptional vintages from the Teixar Vi de Finca Qualificada, marked by extreme climates and guided by Ferran Centelles, will serve as the central theme to explore the Tarragona origins. This includes understanding the geographic distribution of planted areas by age and altitude, as well as presenting various studies on the resilience of Garnacha, particularly Garnacha Peluda, to climate change, presented by Xoán Elorduy. Finally, Rick Fisher will share insights on the perception of this wine in the U.S. and propose ways to enhance its awareness and dissemination.

Enoalma by enoAula&BWW pays tribute to the distinguished career of Custodio L. Zamarra, one of the most iconic figures in the world of sommellerie in Spain. For over five decades, Zamarra has been the soul of Zalacaín restaurant, where he served as sommelier with unmatched expertise. His deep knowledge of wine, dedication, and charisma have left an indelible mark on Spanish gastronomy, inspiring generations of sommeliers and elevating the art of service to new heights. We honor his person, his passion, and the excellence he demonstrated in this craft.

A technical presentation and wine tasting led by MW Fernando Mora, where he will present in-depth his final thesis on the classification of old vineyards, a work that earned him the prestigious Master of Wine title. During the session, the unique characteristics that define these vineyards will be analyzed, highlighting their historical and oenological value, as well as their ability to produce wines of great complexity and character. The tasting will include a selection of wines from old vines, offering attendees a unique educational and sensory experience.

An unprecedented round table and tasting, led and moderated by Master of Wine Fernando Mora, will bring together three internationally recognized winemakers to discuss the various realities surrounding old vine wines. This meeting will address key topics related to oenological value, history, and the challenges of working with ancient vineyards. Participants will share their experiences and viewpoints, providing a comprehensive perspective on the impact of old vines on the quality and authenticity of wines, as well as their relevance in today’s market.

Technical debate led by three of the most influential voices in the national sommelier scene. A round table, accompanied by a master tasting, will highlight the authenticity and unique character of wines made from old vines. The participants will analyze the specific qualities these vines bring to the final product, from grape quality to the complexity of the wine. This event aims to emphasize the historical and oenological heritage represented by these vines, underscoring their importance in the identity of wines and their role in differentiating within a global market.