Peninsula Vinicultores Vino Montana Sierras de Gata y Gredos
Península Vinicultores’ Vino de Montaña from the Sierras de Gata and Gredos is a striking example of Spain’s renewed focus on high-altitude, heritage-driven winemaking. This expressive red is born from a patchwork of old-vine Garnacha, Rufete, and Piñuela—indigenous varieties cultivated on steep, terraced vineyards perched at elevations between 700 and 1,200 meters. The rugged soils of granite and slate, combined with extreme diurnal shifts, foster slow ripening and intense flavor development, yielding a wine that is both vibrant and refined. Spearheaded by Andreas Kubach and Sam Harrop, the project is as much about cultural preservation as it is about quality, reviving forgotten vineyard zones while practicing low-intervention, sustainable viticulture. In the glass, the wine reveals layers of wild red berries, blood orange, and rose petals, underpinned by mineral tension, balsamic, herbs, and spices. Fresh, lifted acidity and a graceful texture evoke comparisons to mountain Pinot Noir or cool-climate Grenache. It’s a wine that drinks like its birthplace; untamed yet elegant, remote yet profoundly expressive.
From the Winemaker:
‘Vino de Montaña’ is a red field blend from Sierra de Gata in northern Extremadura, close to the Portuguese border. The vines are on small hillside terraces of blue granite, surrounded by chestnut and pine woods. Each year, the Sierra de Gata complement is complemented with Garnacha from the village of Cadalso de los Vidrios in Sierra de Gredos. The high altitude offers a very pure expression of mountain Garnacha that is delicate yet complex. Península’s aim is to contribute to the preservation of the parcels of old vines that still exist in the Sistema Central by building market access for these vineyards, thus making them economically viable for their grower partners. The grapes were hand harvested and then destemmed and placed into stainless-steel and concrete tanks for fermentation, which was carried out with a mix of indigenous yeast and a house cultured yeast strain. The wine was pressed off the skins and was sent back to the same vessels for 6-12 months of aging. It was bottled with a coarse filtration and very gentle sulfur addition. No fining.
Grapes: Piñuela, Rufete, and Garnacha field blends
Vineyard: Sierra de Gredos & Sierra de Gata
Vine Age: 50-100 years old
Soil Type: Blue & gray granite, decomposed granite
Viticulture: Conventional
Fermentation: Native & inoculated with house-cultured yeasts. Stainless steel and concrete.
Aging: 6-12 months in fermentation vessels
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.63
Total Acidity: 4.58 g/L
Total SO2: 30 ppm
Total Production: 3,000 cases
Tasting Notes: This field blend is light yet expressive, with wild berries, crushed herbs, and a touch of earthy minerality. Silky tannins and bright acidity make it endlessly drinkable and food-friendly.