Vineyard
The main vineyards of BODEGAS VERDEAL are located in the heart of the D.O. RUEDA, in the municipality of La Seca nestled next to the Duero River. .The VERDEJO grape is the main grape in each vineyard, . growing from gravel soils, specifically Euric Cambisol & Calcium Cambisol.Growing coming providing gravel soils.These stony or gravelly soils create strong temperature contrasts between night and day in the ripening season, which results in a maximum expression of the character of the VERDEJO grape.The average depth of our soils is around 1.5 m, with some vines seeping down more than 3 m.Our soils more closely represent frank sandy clay, coupled with calcium carbonate deposits at 1 meter deep in some of our plots.Ph is next to neutrality; it varies between 7 and 8. A low salinity and good drainage allow optimal conditions for the development of our vineyards.
WEATHER:
The climate is Continental, sometimes referred to as Tempered Mediterranean, due to the altitude of our location on the Castilian plateau. The altitude of our vineyards ranges from 710 – 800 meters above sea level, with an average annual rainfall of 400 L / m2.
The average temperature in the coldest months of the year is close to 0º C, with the lowest temperatures recorded at -15 º C, and 20 º C in the summer months to overlap the ripening of the grapes.
According to the Winkler Index, we are in an I-II region, the most appropriate area for the varieties used in the production of premium dry wines.
The orientation of our vineyards is NW – SE along the lines of maximum slope.
In addition, the vineyard in BODEGAS VERDEAL is characterized by the presence of a dominant and persistent wind from the southeast. In the summer afternoons it is typical to feel the presence of this wind from the top of the vineyards and cellar, with our AYRE wine making a wink to this characteristic wind at the level of our plots.
The microclimate created by these winds at plant level brings an optimal aeration with a balanced foliar exposure.
The balance between plant, climate and soil brings an optimal state of the vineyard. , By reducing the risk of frost so common in the months of May in this Castilian area, and with about 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, one truly can enjoy the optimized phenolic compounds of the VERDEJO grape variety.
VERDEJO GRAPE:
As a traditional variety of the River Duero region, the first written testimonies of Verdejo date from the reign of King Alfonso VI (11th century). At that time, there were several villages that inhabited the Peninsula, including Mozarabic people who are credited with introducing this variety in this Castilian area.
It is a variety with medium sprouting, medium cycle and medium maturation, beginning with the harvest in September until mid-October in the vineyards with higher altitude.
Variety of medium vigor, average productions in young plants and decreasing with the age of the plant. It adapts very well throughout the DO Rueda, resistant to moderate drought, maximizing its potential in stony and low fertile soils.