DOP Cebreros: Home to old vine garnacha

We left Ribera del Duero, and drove south to Cebreros wine country, just west of Madrid. After saying goodbye to friends who were on our wine explorations in Ribera del Duero, Claire and I headed south to explore Cebreros wine country old vine garnacha. Garnacha or Grenache (France) is a rich, flavorful red wine. While France has championed this Southern Rhône Valley grape its origin is Spain. We were off not just to explore just any Garnacha, but old bush vine D.O.P. ((Denominación De Origen Protecida) Garnacha.

D.O.P. Cebreros Old Vine Garnacha © Spaswinefood

In case you are wondering: Why Cebreros? Here is an overview of why we went to D.O.P. Cebreros to check out old vine garnacha.  Garnacha is believed to have originated in Aragon, between Rioja and Catalunya. There has been a growth in the demand for Garnacha, not just in Aragon but in Navarra, and also in Rioja where Garnacha is a rising star. The Gredos Mountains, west of Madrid, has become a cult region because its old vines, with small yields, which produce excellent Garnacha wines. Some might recognize Gredos or Sierra de Gredos for its new-wave Spanish wines. In fact Cebreros, the newest denomination within Gredos, has become known as area of fine, old bush-vine Garnacha.

Old Vine Garnacha Explorations

It was a pleasant drive from Peñafiel to Avila in Cebreros wine country.

Heading South © Spaswinefood

After breakfast we said goodbye to friends and headed south towards Madrid. Two to three hours later we driving along N110 towards Avila. It was not long before we were driving through the Sierra de Gredos.

Sierra de Gredos, Spain © Spaswinefood

After arriving in Avila we checked into a hotel. The hotel we had planned to stay mixed up our reservation however, they found accommodations for us at nearby Hotel El Castrejon. 

 Hotel El Castrejon, Avila © Spaswinefood

 Hotel El Castrejon, Avila © Spaswinefood

Relaxing at Hotel El Castrejon  © Spaswinefood

We had a very enjoyable stay at Hotel El Castrejon. After checkin we enjoyed a snack.

Snacking,  Hotel El Castrejon © Spaswinefood

On that Sunday afternoon guests soon arrived for a communion celebration.

 Sunday Afternoon, Hotel El Castrejon © Spaswinefood

We explored the town a little before dinner. We took a short walk to the nearby plaza.

Plaza Mayor, Avila © Spaswinefood

We were ready to explore old vine Garnacha. That evening for dinner at our hotel restaurant our sever recommended Pegaso Zeta wine.

Pegaso, Sierra de Gredos ZETA (Vino de Garnacha), D.O.P. Cebrerros  2021 

Pegaso,  Sierra de Gredos ZETA (Vino de Garnacha), D.O.P. Cebrerros  2021 © Spaswinefood

Pegaso,  Sierra de Gredos ZETA, D.O.P. Cebrerros  2021 (backlabel)  © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed the wine with dinner. I was not surprised to discover that this wine gets top reviews.

Dinner, Hotel El Castrejon © Spaswinefood

Next morning we set out to explore Cebreros wine country. Our first stop was at D.O.P. (Denominación De Origen Protecida) Cebreros office.

 Cebreros DOP (Denominación De Origen Protecida) © Spaswinefood

 Given the office was not open we decided to explore on our own.

Off we went on our own. After some preliminary adventures we found ourselves driving on the Camino de 

Agricola.

Camino de Agricola © Spaswinefood

It was along this route that we discovered old bush vine vineyards.

DOP Cebreros Old Vine Garnacha © Spaswinefood

DOP Cebreros Old Vine Garnacha © Spaswinefood

Our explorations took us by old brush vineyards.

DOP Cebreros Old Vine Vineyard © Spaswinefood

The old vines were looking great for early spring.

Old Bush Vines © Spaswinefood

While we did not luck out on winery visits we had an enjoyable tour of the countryside. Claire managed to buy D.O.P. Cebreros wines at a local supermarket to take back with her. We also checked out the charms in/around Avila's Plaza.

Plaza Mayor, Avila © Spaswinefood

Plaza Mayor, Avila © Spaswinefood

It was busy on the plaza but we managed to get a table for an early afternoon snack.

Avila is located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, in the Province of Avila. It is the capital and the most populated municipality in Avila Province.  Avila has a high elevation, 1,130 meters above sea level, the highest provincial capital in Spain. It also claims to have the highest number of Gothic and Romanesque churches per capita in Spain (city is less than 60,000 population). While we came to explore nearby wine country most come to explore the medieval churches and other structures in the city. We were told that it is a popular place for visitors during the summer.

All too soon we were leaving Avila and heading back to Faro, Portugal.

Avila, Spain to Faro, Portugal  © Spaswinefood

If you get the opportunity to try old vine garnacha wines from Cebreros please do. For visiting D.O.P. Cebreros I would highly reccomend that you make connections in advance. Without a doubt just seeing the old bush vine Garnacha was an highlight of my 2023 wine travels in Spain.  Old vine Granacha wines are a must for wine lovers. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Spain and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in Spain. 

CHEERS!

Sharon 

May 2023

Avila, Spain

© Spaswinefood

 Travels with Claire, Avila, Spain © Spaswinefood

NOTE: Check out an international registry for old vines around the world.

 

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