Sierra de Salamanca
In the Sierra de Salamanca, vineyards have been cultivated since Roman times. For centuries, the region's winegrowers have reclaimed land from the mountains to cultivate vineyards on terraces. Today, this area stands out for its great beauty and the complexity of its terroir. The vineyards grow on terraces above the Alagón River and feature a high percentage of very old vines.
Since 2010, the DOP Sierra de Salamanca has protected the typicity of the wines produced by six wineries committed to the value of the rufete grape. The geographical area of the D.O.P. Vino de Calidad de Sierra de Salamanca is located in the south of the province of Salamanca and covers an area of 482.10 km². Part of the production area lies within the Las Batuecas–Sierra de Francia Natural Park, and the entire region is part of the Sierras de Béjar – Francia Biosphere Reserve.
The D.O.P. includes 26 municipalities: Cepeda, Cristóbal, El Cerro, El Tornadizo, Garcibuey, Herguijuela de la Sierra, Lagunilla, Las Casas del Conde, Los Santos, Madroñal, Miranda del Castañar, Mogarraz, Molinillo, Monforte de la Sierra, Montemayor del Río, Pinedas, San Esteban de la Sierra, San Martín del Castañar, San Miguel de Valero, Santibáñez de la Sierra, Sequeros, Sotoserrano, Valdefuentes de Sangusín, Valdelageve, Valero, and Villanueva del Conde.
The rufete is the native and predominant variety in this region. Other varieties, such as garnacha tinta and tempranillo, are also cultivated, known locally as calabrés and aragonés, respectively.
Since 2010, the DOP Sierra de Salamanca has protected the typicity of the wines produced by six wineries committed to the value of the rufete grape. The geographical area of the D.O.P. Vino de Calidad de Sierra de Salamanca is located in the south of the province of Salamanca and covers an area of 482.10 km². Part of the production area lies within the Las Batuecas–Sierra de Francia Natural Park, and the entire region is part of the Sierras de Béjar – Francia Biosphere Reserve.
The D.O.P. includes 26 municipalities: Cepeda, Cristóbal, El Cerro, El Tornadizo, Garcibuey, Herguijuela de la Sierra, Lagunilla, Las Casas del Conde, Los Santos, Madroñal, Miranda del Castañar, Mogarraz, Molinillo, Monforte de la Sierra, Montemayor del Río, Pinedas, San Esteban de la Sierra, San Martín del Castañar, San Miguel de Valero, Santibáñez de la Sierra, Sequeros, Sotoserrano, Valdefuentes de Sangusín, Valdelageve, Valero, and Villanueva del Conde.
The rufete is the native and predominant variety in this region. Other varieties, such as garnacha tinta and tempranillo, are also cultivated, known locally as calabrés and aragonés, respectively.
Climate
The Sierra de Salamanca benefits from an optimal microclimate for vine cultivation, with dry summers and cool nights that support grape ripening while preserving good acidity. The climate is classified as humid Mediterranean, with relatively short and mild winters, and long, hot, and dry summers. In autumn and spring, rainfall is abundant, compensating for the soil's low water retention capacity.
Due to the significant altitude differences between vineyards (ranging from 400 to 1,000 m), we find important climatic variations in the area.
Due to the significant altitude differences between vineyards (ranging from 400 to 1,000 m), we find important climatic variations in the area.
Soil
The most remarkable feature of the terrain in the Sierra de Salamanca is the great diversity of soil types it hosts, especially considering that we are talking about a small-sized D.O.P. Broadly speaking, there are sandy soils derived from granite rock, which produce long, subtle, and elegant wines; while in the central area, there are clay soils derived from slate, resulting in wines with greater structure and minerality.
On the other hand, and unlike most wine-growing regions in Castilla y León, the soils in the Sierra de Salamanca have an acidic character, a factor that gives the wines a unique identity.
On the other hand, and unlike most wine-growing regions in Castilla y León, the soils in the Sierra de Salamanca have an acidic character, a factor that gives the wines a unique identity.
Location
Salamanca