Protos was the first winery in Ribera del Duero -with the exception of Vega Sicilia- and one of the wineries that promoted the creation of this Denomination of Origin. Located in Peñafiel, Protos maintains high-quality standards thanks largely to its enormous viticultural potential. From this Ribera del Duero icon come wines that never disappoint, such as Protos Reserva 2017. An elegant and complex wine that you must have at home for special occasions.
Protos Reserva 2017 stands out for its excellent complexity and as the perfect example of Ribera del Duero classicism. It is made from Tempranillo grapes from very old vineyards, over 50 years old, harvested by hand. Once in the winery, the grape bunches underwent a selection process on a sorting table. This meticulous care extends to the barrels: 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, followed by an additional 42 months of bottle aging before being released to the market.
Bodegas Protos is an icon of Ribera del Duero. Founded in 1927 by a group of winegrowers from Peñafiel united in a cooperative, it is now considered one of the most prestigious Spanish wine producers, both domestically and internationally. The old Protos winery is located at the foot of the Peñafiel Castle and features galleries carved into the mountain where wines age under optimal conditions. Connected by an underground tunnel, its new and spectacular facilities were designed by Richard Rogers.
Protos has an extensive vineyard where advanced viticulture practices and yield limitations are applied. This vast viticultural potential allows each grape bunch to be allocated to a specific wine type. The constant renewal of barrels is another hallmark of the winery.
Protos Reserva 2017 (D.O. Ribera del Duero) is perfect to pair with seafood stews, such as bonito marmitako; it is also ideal with stewed legumes, like large beans with quail.
Protos was (except for Vega Sicilia) the first winery of Ribera del Duero: founded in 1927 as a cooperative after the union of 11 winegrowers from the area, and one of the wineries that promoted the creation of the Denomination of Origin in Ribera del Duero (1982). Today, it is one of the most important wineries in Spain, and its wines are sold in 100 countries across five continents.
Located in Peñafiel, where the old and new wineries are connected by an underground tunnel. The old winery, exclusively dedicated to aging, has 2 kilometers of underground galleries carved into the mountain on which the castle stands, where the wines are aged under optimal natural conditions. The new facilities, with a spectacular design by the prestigious architect Richard Rogers, place Protos at the forefront of the wine and wine tourism scene. In fact, it is the most visited winery in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and was the first nationally to achieve the "mark of excellence" certificate by the prestigious international body Superbrands. Additionally, in 2013, Protos was recognized as "Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirit magazine, and in 2022, it was named one of the 50 most admired wineries in the world by the prestigious international organization Drinks International.
Bodegas Protos owns 150 hectares of its own vineyards and also sources from its associates to craft its elegant wines. This carefully managed but extensive viticulture potential allows the allocation of each grape bunch to a specific type of wine. Another cornerstone of its philosophy is the constant renewal of its barrel stock (with a maximum of 4 years). Since 2006, Protos has also been present in the D.O. Rueda, where it produces Verdejo whites following the same high-quality standards. More recently, in 2019, it announced its entry into the D.O. Cigales.
