Monòver - Vinalopó Mitjà
Mar and Ignacio are an exceptional couple who produce exceptional natural wines. Here, where land and know-how have been handed down for five generations, the spirit of wine is lived in a different way, with passion and respect for nature. La Zafra is above all a family story, an adventure rooted in the Vinalopó Mitjà, where vines have always been grown under the watchful eye of the La Peña de La Zafra mountain range. The estate began with a single hectare of vines, planted with the Monastrell variety, a local autóctone, grown in secano and pruned using the traditional goblet method. Today, thanks to restoration efforts, the couple now manage seven hectares, recovering land that was on the verge of disappearing, with Monastrell, Messeguera, Valensi and Tintorera grape varieties.
What sets this project apart is its commitment to natural, environmentally-friendly viticulture. In their microbodega, every stage of production is carried out with minimal intervention: no chemicals, no commercial yeasts, no added sulphites. Here, it's the purity of the grapes that counts, giving rise to wines that truly reflect the terroir and tradition. Each harvest is carried out by hand, in the early hours of the morning, in 15 kg crates, guaranteeing the quality and purity of the grapes. Winegrowing here is a dance between respect for the past and the innovation needed to adapt to contemporary challenges.
What is particularly admirable about Ignacio and Mar's work is their commitment not only to the environment, but also to sharing. The couple like to surround themselves with associations, movements and projects that promote a more social, sustainable and responsible relationship - both between people and with our environment. It's a project that goes far beyond the simple production of wine. It's an invitation to live differently, to consume consciously and to rediscover the beauty of the terroir.
nu
Red wine Monestrell 100%
Alcohol content: 13,5% Vol.
The westerly orientated plot, named Cantalá, is located at 50m altitude on the mountainside in the area of La Zafra, in Monóver. It is a dry land plot with loamy-sandy soil and a large amount of limestone, planted in 2000 in a square frame with 2.85 meters between plants and rows. Gobelet pruning for the vines who have a low yield (2,5kg/pl). Agro ecological management is achieved by animal grazing to control the winter vegetation cover. Sulphur powder is only used during the summer when it's strictly necessary.
The harvest: the grapes were harvested manually in boxes of 15 kg in the early morning of September 27th and immediately transported to the winery for preparation.
The winemaking: immediately after the grapes enter the cellar, they are put in a container. The grapes are then macerated for eight days. Following this, spontaneous fermentation, due to the natural yeasts, occurs in stainless steel vats for a period of 25 days. A second spontaneous malolactic fermentation takes place thereafter. No fining process is allowed in clearing the wine. No additions: no sulphites, clarifier or acidity correctors etc are added. The unfiltered wine was bottled manually on 9th of July, 2019.
The wine maker's notes: the wine is of medium colour with good acidity and balsamic aromas with hints of spices and liquorice.
Recommended consumption temperature: 16°C
Consume from now.