Valdepeñas

• The winery
• Location
• Wineyards
• Winwmaking
• Wines
• Technical Data
• << Back

DO Valdepeñas is comprised of over 29,000 hectares of vineyards. It covers the entire municipal districts of Alcubillas, Moral de Calatrava, San Carlos del Valle, Santa Cruz de Mudela, Torrenueva and part of Torre de Juan Abad, Granátula de Calatrava, Alhambra and Montiel, and of course Valdepeñas.

The traditional methods of vine cultivation in DO Valdepeñas are enhanced by the oenological expertise of the technical representatives of Félix Solís, S.A., who ensure that the various grapes are delivered at their optimal maturity.

To said end, throughout the year they coordinate with almost 4,500 vine growers, many of whom are subjected to periodical controls and given the pertinent recommendations in order to guarantee successful harvests.

The Solís family owns two vineyards where their love of the land and respect for the environment can be appreciated, especially when bearing in mind that vines are one of the most ecological crops grown today

Félix Solís, S.A., whose harvest begins during the first fortnight of August and lasts until the beginning of October, is aware that a large part of the success of all good wine lies in the quality of the vine stock itself.

Information on grape varieties, climate conditions and planting systems

AUTHORISED GRAPE VARIETIES: Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot for reds; and Airen, Macabeo or Viura, Chardonnay, Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc and Moscatel de Grano Menudo for whites. The most popular in this production area is the red Tempranillo, which is locally called Cencibel, and the white Airen..

PLANTING DENSITY: In accordance with regulations, planting density must fall between 1,200 and 3,200 vine stocks per hectare.

PRUNING SYSTEM: As established by the Regulating Council, when the traditional goblet and head-pruning systems are used, a maximum load of twelve buds per vine over six spurs is allowed. Pruning can be espaliered in its various forms, provided that the maximum load does not exceed fifteen buds per vine. With regards density, under no circumstances may the maximum limit of 36,000 buds per hectare be exceeded.

PRODUCTION AND OUTPUT: The maximum authorised production limit per hectare is 7,500 kilos of grapes for white varieties and 6,000 for red varieties. These limits can be modified by the Regulating Council, upon its own initiative or in response to requests put forward by grape growers before harvest, which are subject to assessment and verification. In all cases, said modification cannot exceed 25%.

The maximum output cannot exceed 70 litres of wine per 100 kilos of grapes.

CLIMATE AND SOIL: Temperatures of over forty degrees in summer and below minus ten degrees in winter give DO Valdepeñas wines their particular character.

In the main, this region is made up of limestone and clay ground which, combined with its average altitude of 705 metres above sea-level, the dry continental climate with over 2,500 hours of sun and low rainfall, results in an ideal “microclimate” for growing vines.

The annual rainfall figures lie between 200 and 400 litres per metre, distributed over seventy days of rain mainly in spring and which are occasionally stormy.