Ondarre Valdebaron Blanco Rioja 2023

The Tempranillo Blanco vines are grown in several vineyard sites to the north and northeast of Viana, situated on the northern bank of the River Ebro. The vineyards are located on slopes ranging from 520 to 690 metres above sea level, formed by small streams running down from the Sierra Cantabria hills; the terrain is uneven with ravines and the occasional small cliff. The vines are sheltered from the harsh northern winds and the wetter, cooler weather fronts by the nearby Sierra Cantabria range. The south-facing orientation optimises sunlight exposure, and warm, dry winds from the south help to ventilate the vineyard, reducing disease pressure. The vineyards are situated on various soil types, from sand, gravel, clay and chalk, over a limestone subsoil. The topsoil is shallow, just 25 to 40 centimetres deep, and as such, the vines take time to develop and establish complex root systems. These bush vines are old and low-yielding. The locals are reluctant to uproot old vine stocks; therefore, these vines are noticeably older than those in the surrounding area.