Bodegas Atalaya

The vineyards and winery are located in Almansa D.O.P., a wine region located in the province of Castilla la Mancha in the east of Spain. This location is characterised by the transition between the Castilian plateau and the Mediterranean influence, which gives the vineyards a unique character.
The Almansa region has a rich traditional winemaking history and Bodegas Atalaya has been able to combine this tradition with modern winemaking techniques. Using native varieties such as Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouchet) and Monastrell (Mourvèdre), the winery has worked to optimise the facilities and perfect the winemaking methods, resulting in a range of wines that reflect the character of the terroir. The Garnacha Tintorera grape with its violet pulp is predominant, yet the sweetness and strength of the Monastrell is noticeable in the blends.
Frank Gonzales is the responsible winemaker at Bodegas Atalaya, who with extensive international experience, knowledge and ability to understand both the global market and the particularities of the local terroir, have been instrumental in the development of the winery.
The 65 ha of vineyards are located between 700 m and 1,000 m above sea level, the altitude provide a cooler climate that favours the slow ripening of the grapes and the concentration of both aromas and flavours. The climate is Continental with a marked Mediterranean influence that moderates the extreme temperatures. The area is characterised by cold winters and hot dry summers with an annual rainfall of not more than 350 mm. The soils are limestone and with poor nutrient levels, this together with the limited rainfall and the extreme weather result in low grape yields, high concentration of colour, tannins, flavours and aromas. Additionally a good balance between sugars and acidity are essential for the production of intense and complex wines, with fresh fruit flavours and with a long bottle life. The resulting collection of exuberant and harmonious reds are sensational Spanish values.