El Pacto 2021 is an organic red wine with 14 months of barrel aging, crafted by Vintae following a philosophy of minimal intervention, from old vines in the Sonsierra region of Rioja. Structured yet fine and fresh at the same time, this wine with abundant fruity notes is a true reflection of its privileged terroir.
General features
General Information
El Pacto 2021 is an organic wine from Rioja made predominantly with Tempranillo, along with a small percentage of white varieties, Graciano, and Mazuelo. The vineyards are spread across 27 plots of old vines, planted in the 1950s and 1960s in high and well-ventilated areas of the towns of Baños de Ebro, Villabuena de Álava, Navaridas, and San Vicente de la Sonsierra.
Its production began with a manual harvest followed by a static maceration of the fruits for 10 days, with minimal intervention to avoid over-extraction. It underwent spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks and was finally aged for 14 months in barrels made of French oak (60%), American oak (20%), and Eastern European oak (20%); 60% of the barrels were second-use, and 40% were new barrels.
The Sonsierra riojana is an area located on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria and Toloño, which protect it from the cold and humid winds of the Cantabrian Sea. The south-facing orientation of the vineyards allows for mild temperatures and a significant thermal contrast between day and night, contributing to the optimal ripening of the grapes. Additionally, its rugged terrain, with very well-drained clay-limestone soils, is perfect for the Tempranillo variety.
Viñedos El Pacto (part of the Vintae group) focuses on cultivating old vines in two regions with a long winemaking history: Alto Najerilla and Sonsierra. They are committed to returning to the ancestral farming methods practiced by previous generations of vine growers, respecting nature and its vital course to the fullest. Thus, they employ manual harvesting, spontaneous fermentations, and respectful aging processes to express the value of these unique vineyards.
El Pacto 2021 is a wine under the D.O.Ca. Rioja designation, pairing perfectly with dishes such as Iberian pork medallions in mustard sauce or a filet mignon with foie.
Creators' opinion
El Pacto de la Sonsierra is a wine with a deep layer, featuring violet and red hues. It offers an intense nose that surprises with its straightforward aroma of forest fruits, licorice, undergrowth, spicy touches, and chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied, well-balanced, robust yet fine and fresh at the same time. The sensations of fruit and barrel notes return in the aftertaste.
The winery
Viñedos El Pacto (Vintae group) focuses on producing wines from old vines in two areas with a long winemaking history: the Sonsierra and Alto Najerilla. They are committed to working organically, respecting nature and its life cycle to the fullest, and returning to ancestral cultivation methods practiced by previous generations of winegrowers.
Thus, they implement manual harvests, minimal intervention in the winemaking process, spontaneous fermentations, and respectful aging processes that allow the unique value of the vineyards to be expressed. Their goal is to showcase the potential of the tempranillo grape from this privileged region.