Location
The Cariñena PDO is located in the middle Ebro Valley, in the province of Zaragoza, and includes 16 municipalities in a vineyard landscape located between 400 and 800 metres above sea level. Vines have been cultivated here since Roman times, and this long history is still present in the way the region is understood and worked.
Climate
The year progresses through cold winters, dry summers, low rainfall and a temperature range that accompanies the grape ripening process.
The Cierzo wind is part of the vineyard’s natural balance. Its presence promotes the health of the grapes, helps prevent disease and supports their development from budbreak through to harvest.
Soils
The Cariñena PDO does not correspond to a single soil type, but rather to a combination of materials that shape the landscape and the behaviour of the vine.
The soils influence how it grows, how it accesses water and how the character of the land is expressed in each wine.
Soil types in the Cariñena PDO
Clay soils
Sediments formed along rivers. They retain moisture and support the balanced growth of the vines.
Stony terraces
Layers of ancient gravel and rounded stones. They allow natural drainage and regulate soil temperature.
Rusty red soils
Iron-rich clays that colour the landscape. They bring their own structure and nuances to the vineyards.
Slope soils (“royal”)
Hillside terrain with accumulated materials. A diverse texture that influences the vine’s pace.
Limestone soils
Calcareous base with a constant presence of stone. These soils promote deep root development.
Slate or quartzite soils
Soils with dark rock fragments mixed with clay-like earth. They provide texture and diversity within the region as a whole.
Vineyards
Vineyards have shaped this region for generations. The Cariñena variety shares its name with the designation and plays a central role in its viticultural history. Garnacha, or Grenache, also finds here one of its most recognisable expressions.
Attention to the vine and its evolution sustained a craft deeply linked to the land.
