Bodega El Regajal
The unique El Regajal estate with its modern bodega is located to the south of the province of Madrid, in Aranjuez, and was founded by the García-Pita family in 1998. In addition to the Madrid winery, a project called “Galia” was launched in collaboration with Jérôme Bougnaud.
Oenologist Jérôme Bougnaud comes from a family of winemakers in the Cognac region of France. He is responsible for winegrowing at El Regajal, where he cultivates the vineyards according to biodynamic principles out of conviction. The joint project “Galia” marks the realisation of a long-held dream.
The vineyards for Galia wines are not located in Madrid, but in Castilla y Léon, in the provinces of Valladolid, Burgos and Soria, which line the Duero river from west to east. The plots are planted with up to 100-year-old Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and Garnacha vines and are situated at altitudes ranging from 795 to 968 metres above sea level. Many of these scattered vineyards are not located in DO areas. Furthermore, certain wines are made by blending grapes from different regions (e.g. Galia Villages), so the wines are declared as “Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León”. They are pressed and aged at the small winery located in the village of Villanueva de Duero. They inspire – how could it be otherwise – with their seductive French style.
The grapes for Galia Villages come from a variety of small plots in Piquera de San Esteban (Soria), Fuentelcesped and Hontangas (Burgos). The soils are sandy. Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) plays the main role in the cuvée, complemented by Grenache and a hint of the white wine variety Albillo Real, which adds freshness and balance. The wine is mostly aged in used barrels. Production: approx. 6000 bottles.
Galia Clos Santuy is a “single vineyard” wine. The enclosed estate is 1.12 ha in size and is located in Piquera de San Esteban (Soria). Planted in 1930, the ungrafted Tinto-Fino vines grow in the Gobelet style on gravelly sandstone soils. A slight touch of white Albillo Real gives the wine an incomparable freshness. It was matured in used barrels and has great ageing potential. Production: approx. 800 bottles.
Producer
Elias Mora
The bodega was founded in 2000 by Victoria Benavides and the name of the winery honours the former owner of the vineyards: Elías Mora. The oenologist is one of Spain's undisputed winegrowers.
Champagne Philipponnat
Journeying across Champagne you will inevitably come across familiar sounding names. Grand names behind which often hide grand houses that carry on their business at the global level.
Château Biac
Sometimes life is full of surprises. The Lebanese Asseily family experienced this first-hand when they became the owners of Château Biac as if by accident in 2006. They regularly spent their summer holidays near Biac, but never would they have dreamt that they would own and manage this wonderful property themselves one day. It’s a fascinating story that Tony and Youmna Asseily are happy to share over a glass of their wine.