The selection of grapes from the best vineyards in the region, our exhaustive knowledge of the Tinta del País (Tempranillo), the climatic conditions and the diversity of the terrain have all participated in the success of the wines that have been elaborated since the first “Pagos del Rey” winery.
Furthermore, in the municipal district of Olmedillo de Roa – where the wife of the Pagos del Rey president and CEO, was born – the Solís family controls forty hectares of vineyards belonging to family members, some of whom boast to have supplied the legendary Vega Sicilia winery.
It also directly controls nearly 1,400 hectares of vineyards of some 450 vine growers, which are controlled by our field engineers who carry out soil studies, participate in the selection of the most suitable rootstocks and of the planting and training system to be used, and also give valuable advice on production and quality controls such as green pruning or cluster thinning.
Together with Olmedillo de Roa, Sotillo de la Ribera, La Horra, Gumiel de Mercado, Anguix and Villatuelda are some of the municipalities who provide top-quality Tinta del País grapes to the winery. Tinta del País – known as Tempranillo in other production areas – is the predominant variety and is favoured by certain climatic and soil conditions. The extreme climate changes in seasons and even in day and night (which can provoke unexpected variations in the harvest), the position of the plantations which at times exceed the critical level and the age of the vineyards result in the production of meaty wines with a high polyphenol content which are very suitable for ageing.
Information on grape varieties, climate conditions and planting systems
AUTHORISED VARIETIES:Tinta del País (Tempranillo), Cabernet-Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta, Malbec, Merlot and Albillo (white).
PLANTING DENSITY: Between 2,000 and 4,000 vine stocks per hectare.
PRUNING SYSTEM:With regards the traditional head-pruning system, the regulations stipulate a maximum of fifteen buds per vine over a maximum of six spurs. If espalier or cordon pruning is used, sixteen buds per vine are allowed. With regards the rod and spur system, a maximum of two buds per vine has been established. Under no circumstances can there be more than 40,000 buds per hectare.
PRODUCTION AND OUTPUT:The maximum production allowed is 7,000 kg of grapes per hectare and output cannot exceed 70 litres of wine per 100 kg of grapes.
CLIMATE AND SOIL: Generally speaking, the climate is characterised by a moderate-to-low rainfall (400-600 mm yearly average), which, combined with dry summers and long, harsh winters with great temperature differences between seasons, classifies this as a continental Mediterranean climate.
Ribera del Duero is situated on the extensive northern plateau of the Iberian peninsular. It is formed by an enormous level basement which is partly covered by tertiary sediments, consisting of gently lenticular layers of silty or clayey sand which alternate with layers of limestone, marl and chalky concretions.
