Despite its close proximity to Madrid by auto and rail, Spain’s ‘Sierra de Gredos’ wine region is relatively unknown to the informed wine pro. Its establishment as a modern wine-producing dates only to the 1990s while the economic difficulties beginning in 2008 crippled these nascent efforts, and the occasional infighting, inability or unwillingness to embrace contemporary marketing methods, a lack of an identifiable Denomination of Origin or dynamic independent body to organize group efforts have prevented the hard-working and visionary vignerons and bodegas with unique wines from their deserved recognition. Here old vine Garnacha and the autochthonous white Albillo Real, most often organically grown, are commonly vinified without added yeasts in large oak barrels and in clay jars called ‘tinajas’. The villages of El Tiemblo, El Barraco, and Cebreros sport quiet forests and meadows, many steep soils composed of granite/schist/slate/sand, and a warm continental climate at 650m-1300m.

Bodegas Nietos Señora Maria, a.k.a. The winery of the grandchildren of Maria… is what this lengthy, yet telling name translates to. The grandchildren (Jesus, Juan, and the family) started this passion project a short time ago.

They started with Dry Fountain. A vineyard of about 3 hectares with vines between 50 and 70 years old. Of mostly granite sandy terrain, it is surrounded by lavender, rosemary, and, in general, Mediterranean scrub.

They carried out the necessary work for its revitalization. Its wonderful environment and the peculiarity of its vines could only produce something exceptional. The result was… Aviento Joven 2017. Awarded in 2017 with the silver medal of the international Garnacha competition of the world, our Avaviento indicates the grandchildren of Señora Maria’s commitment to excellence and tradition.