Graciano ‘Rio Madre’

Winemaker

Ana Escudero

Appellation

Rioja

Varieties

Graciano

Viticulture

Traditional dry farmed viticulture. All of Ilurce's vineyards are cared for without the use of chemically synthesized fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, or elemental fertilizers. All of the oldest vineyards are dry farmed. Bunches are hand harvested.

Terroir

Alluvial, rocky soils deposited by the Ebro River and reinforced by runoff from the Sierra de Yerga. The soils are sandy or clayey in texture and have a high proportion of iron. Unlike northwestern Rioja, the soils have low levels of calcium. The climate is Mediterranean.

Ratings & Reviews

Vineyard

Bodegas y Viñedos Ilurce is located in Alfaro, the historical capital of southern Rioja. Ilurce owns 45 Ha. (110 acres) of estate grown vineyards planted in the foothills of the Sierra de Yerga. Vines were planted from 1917 - 1997.

Vinification

The grapes are destemmed but not crushed. Whole berries ferment (inoculated with neutral yeasts) in 5,000L concrete vats and 20,000L stainless steel tanks. There is a small percentage of stem inclusion when ripeness is appropriate. After fermentation and maceration the wine is gently pressed in a horizontal pneumatic press. Malolactic fermentation occurs is split between the fermentation vessel and used barrel.

Aging

6 months in used French barrique that are three vintages old to completely neutral.

Features

Bottle, Cork

Available Sizes (L)

0.750