Yolanda García Viadero talks to André about the roles of Graciano and oak barrels in the making of Conde de Hervías.
Conde de Hervías is a unique and specialized winery in northern Rioja Alta, where the sole focus is producing single-vineyard wines of the highest quality from historic vineyards in the village of Torremontalbo. Íñigo Manso de Zúñiga Ugartechea, together with his winemaking partner and wife, Yolanda García Viadero, work highly prestigious plots of pre-phylloxera vines which surround their home in Torremontalbo, an incredible structure built in 1252. Íñigo studied Enology at the University of Bordeaux in France, where this training taught him to respect balance and restraint over power and concentration. His terroir-focused philosophy at the estate focuses on harvesting ripe grapes with balanced acidity that are not overly mature.
Both he and Yolanda have spent a lifetime making wine in diverse regions throughout Spain and apply the sum of their experience and passion to this small, artisanal project. Conde de Hervías currently stands as one of the most classically unique and elegant interpretations of Rioja, miles away from the mass-produced Rioja wines found in Haro.