SECTIONS |
DESCRIPTION
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Presentation |
The winery project, later given the name of “La Encina”, came into being out of the restlessness of its main initiator, Ricardo Reinoso, the present manager and the person responsible for the business development of this ambitious venture.
Ricardo Reinoso, an expert in the “world of wine” resulting from his management experience in various wineries within the Rioja Denomination of Origin, began this project at the end of the last decade of the 20th Century.
This exciting project, which led him to the discovery of a privileged site on which to place the winery, breaks with the classic building style of wineries in the region and was to become the first denomination winery encountered approaching it from the north-east.
A second stage involved seeking people sharing his same ideals to participate in the financing of such an ambitious undertaking. He managed to bring together people from diverse origins as far afield as Switzerland and Monaco.
The joint efforts of all have made possible the present-day reality of a project as attractive and suggestive as the magnificent wines of the Tobelos family. |
Identity |
The fact of being the first winery to be observed on entering La Rioja allows the use of a symbol as an anagram, an anagram associated with this eminent winemaking region, as a timeless expression of its historical reality.
Hence we achieve the graphic synthesis originating from the first written documentation of the word “Rioja” found in the 1923 document from the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda in Logroño. |
Facilities |
The winery, located in one of the areas of greater winemaking tradition, that of Briñas, rests on a steep slope over the banks of the river Ebro at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria and the Obarenes mountains, enjoying magnificent views of the Conchas de Haro and the Riscos de Bilibio.
Its privileged location provides it with a position of dominance over the vineyard and the surrounding countryside and makes it the first winery to be observed on entering the Rioja Denomination of Origin from the north-east.
The single structure building has a lineal design and is set into the hill-side that runs down to the river Ebro, adapting itself to the terrain, but breaking with the classic winery building styles.
This significant location was already used some 900 years ago for a village settlement whose necropolis has recently been discovered adjoining the cellar building. |
The Harvest |
The grapes received at our cellar come from vineyards of over 20 years of age situated in the area of la Sonsierra, near the Sierra de Cantabria and characterised by small-scale plots, some having difficult access and at the altitude limit for growing.
Our most emblematic plots are: the plot on the location called Mocotero which surrounds the winery building and, Los Quiñones with over seventy years yielding crops situated on the spot known by the name of La Fonsagrada on which a necropolis and a small demolished hermitage dating from the 11th and 12th centuries are to be found. It is believed that at that time these formed part of a monastery. |
PROCESS |
DESCRIPTION |
The Harvest |
The grapes received at our cellar come from vineyards of over 20 years of age situated in the area of la Sonsierra, near the Sierra de Cantabria and characterised by small-scale plots, some having difficult access and at the altitude limit for growing.
Our most emblematic plots are: the plot on the location called Mocotero which surrounds the winery building and, Los Quiñones with over seventy years yielding crops situated on the spot known by the name of La Fonsagrada on which a necropolis and a small demolished hermitage dating from the 11th and 12th centuries are to be found. It is believed that at that time these formed part of a monastery. |
Selection |
The boxes are placed one by one on a conveyor to undergo the primary visual control, and later the grape bunches are taken to the selection table.
Selected bunches are taken to the destemmer and then the destemmed bunches go on to the tanks by means of an elevation, or IFO (Identified Flying Object) system, thus avoiding the need for a system of piping and pumps that is more aggressive on the fruit. |
Production |
The production process is carried out in truncated-cone-shaped stainless steel tanks fitted with cooling jackets and an automatic system of pumping-over of the grape juice, and in wooden vats.
Malolactic fermentation then takes place in casks, vats and tanks.
The storage vats are made of concrete and are positioned underneath for transportation by gravity. These vats are epoxy-lined allowing for a better development of the wine. |
Ageing |
The 975 casks of American, French and central European oak rest in a large hall on two levels in respectful silence for an average of two years which impregnates the wine with a unique character through the ageing process.
It is in this spectacular hall, to be seen from the wine-tasting room on the floor above, offering a broad perspective and magnifying the cellar process, where the wine develops its personality with the unmistakable seal of La Encina, Bodegas y Viñedos. |
WINE
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DESCRIPTION
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Tobelos White |
VINEYARD: Two small vineyards situated in the villages of Briñas and San Vicente de la Sonsierra.
VARIETIES: Viura 75%, White Garnacha 25%. Average age: More than 80 years.Pruning: short pruning on bush.
HARVEST: Manual harvest for a rigorous selection of the grape bunches from the vineyard, collection in 25 kilo boxes and subsequent transfer to conveyors in the cellar.
FERMENTATION: 100% destemming of grapes, pre-fermentation by maceration and pressing, fermentation in oak cask for 16 days with twice-daily stirrings of lees (battonage), racking and ageing in the same casks.
AGEING: 6 months in new French oak casks with three-monthly racking. The fine grain casks used are from the north of France.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 12.5º
TOTAL ACIDITY: 6.0
PH: 3.18
ATTRIBUTES: White Wine fermented and aged in Cask. Colour: Straw yellow with greenish glares. Nose: Clean on the nose, good intensity, ripe fruit, citric bouquet, pleasant wood, toasty oak and smoked notes. Mouth: Tasty, dry, light, very good wood assemblage, balanced through mouth and retronasal passage with light toasty ripe fruit notes. Citric hints.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Storage: At constant temperature, below 14º, humidity near 80% and in a dark place. Serving temperature: between 6 and 7ºC
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Tobelos Garnacha |
VINEYARD: Vineyard located at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria in the village of Briñas on two plots named Peña las heces and Saúco.
VARIETIES: Garnacha 100%. Average age: 60 years. Pruning: short pruning on bush.
HARVEST: Manual harvest for a rigorous selection of the grape bunches from the vineyard, collection in 25 kilo boxes and subsequent transfer to conveyors in the cellar.
FERMENTATION: Destemming 100%, 3 day cold maceration, 8 day fermentation with twice daily pumping over and a total 21-day maceration period with grape skins. Malolactic fermentation in cask with daily battonage.
AGEING: 14 months in French and American oak cask with four-monthly racking. 2 year maximum cask age.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14.4º
TOTAL ACIDITY: 6.2
PH: 3.56
ATTRIBUTES: A wine with strongly differentiated characteristics. An exclusive wine given that few cellars in the region elaborate such wines, and exceptional, as it is only produced in years of low yield on the vineyard. Colour: Deep cherry red with garnet red on the rim, great liveliness. Nose: Intense on the nose, complex fine, ripe red fruit (strawberry-blackberry), with hints of black fruit and sweet spices (clove, nutmeg, vanilla), minerals, chocolate, balsamic tones. Mouth: Powerful, big and meaty, noble mature tannins, with intense aromatic sensation and long finish where nose sensations are reproduced, highly elegant combination.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Storage: At constant temperature below 16º, humidity near 80% and in a dark place. Serving temperature: between15 and 16ºC. Prior decanting advisable. Matching: This wine combines well with gamebirds, red meats and blue fish.
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Red Tobelos
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VINEYARD: Vineyard located at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria in the villages of Briñas, Haro and San Vicente de la Sonsierra.
VARIETIES: Tempranillo 100%. Average age: 25 years. Pruning: short pruning on bush and on trellising.
HARVEST: Manual harvest for a rigorous selection of the grape bunches from the vineyard, collection in 25 kilo boxes and subsequent transfer to conveyors in the cellar.
FERMENTATION: Destemming 100%, 9 day fermentation with twice daily pumping over and a total 20-day maceration period with grape skins.
AGEING: In oak cask from different origins: American oak, French oak and central European oak for 13 months with four-monthly racking.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.3º
TOTAL ACIDITY: 5.1
PH: 3.62
ATTRIBUTES: The cellar's flagship wine. It combines in a representative manner the qualities of a classic Rioja wine with the innovation of the more modern wines. A moresome wine. Colour: Good dark cherry red colour. Nose: Clean on the nose, aromas of red fruit in liquor (morello), cocoa, spices and good oak. Mouth: Tasty, balanced, fine tannins, fresh, mature, big with good aftertaste. Ripe fruit on retronasal passage.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Storage: At constant temperature below 16º, humidity near 80% and in a dark place. During storage, maintain in horizontal position “at all times”. Serving temperature: between 17 and 18ºC. Prior decanting is advisable Matching: This wine combines well with any elaborated dish such as stews, rice, game or poultry.
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Tahón de Tobelos - Red Reserva
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VINEYARD: Own vineyard located at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria between the villages of Briñas and San Vicente, on the plots of La Linde, Hombón and La Tejera.
VARIETIES: Tempranillo 100% Pruning: short pruning on bush.
HARVEST: Manual harvest for a rigorous selection of the grape bunches from the vineyard, collection in 25 kilo boxes and subsequent transfer to conveyors in the cellar.
FERMENTATION: Destemming 100% and later prefermentative maceration, 9 day alcoholic fermentation with twice daily pumping-over and a total 22-day maceration period with grape skins. Malolactic fermentation in new cask.
AGEING: 13 month period, rigorous selection of oak of different origin: French Oak, American Oak and Hungarian Oak. Four-monthly racking.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14º
TOTAL ACIDITY: 5.3
PH: 3.55
ATTRIBUTES Colour: Garnet red cherry with youthful glints. Nose: Complex on the nose, intense, aromas of small wild berries with balsamic and mineral tones. Mouth: Good structure, tasty, lively, fresh tannins and spicy finish. Long and elegant, with sensations of ripe red fruit.
RECOMMENDATIONS Storage: At constant temperature below 16º, humidity near 80% and in a dark place. Serving temperature: between 17 y 18ºC. Prior decanting advisable. Absence of treatments may give rise to small natural sediment. Matching: This wine combines well with game, red meats, baked fish and semi-cured cheeses.
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Leukade - A WineCreator wine |
VINEYARD: Vineyard located at the foot of la Sierra de Cantabria, from various estates situated between the villages of Briñas and San Vicente de la Sonsierra.
VARIETIES: Tempranillo 100% Average age: 65 years. Pruning: short pruning on bush.
HARVEST: Manual harvest for a rigorous selection of the grape bunches from the vineyard, collection in 25 kilo boxes and subsequent transfer to conveyors in the cellar.
FERMENTATION: Destemming 100%, 3 day cold maceration, 8 day fermentation with twice daily pumping-over and a total 21-day maceration period with grape skins. Malolactic fermentation in cask with daily battonage.
AGEING: 17 months in new French oak cask with four-monthly racking.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14.1º
TOTAL ACIDITY: 5.3
PH: 3.64
ATTRIBUTES Colour: Garnet red cherry with purplish rim. Nose: Black well-ripened fruit (plum, blackberry, blackcurrant), lactic, coffee, high roast, spices (clove). Mouth: Powerful, tasty, strong generous tannins, well balanced, good concentration, lively and long finish. Aftertaste with fruity aromas and balsamic sensations of excellent oak.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Storage: At constant temperature below 16º, humidity near 80% and in a dark place. Serving temperature: between 17 and 18ºC. Prior decanting advisable. Matching: This wine combines well with game, red meats, baked fish and semi-cured cheeses.
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