There are differences between our vineyard’s soils, but there are also many general traits linked to the soil structure and texture in a given geographical area that cannot define their variants by themselves and need to be defined by others.
Remarkable differences:
Soil: Vineyard orientation, gradient, permeability, altitude, location.
Climate: Temperature, solar irradiance W/m2, rainfall, climatic events, hail, ice, wind
Plant: Age, variety, grafted rootstock.
Vineyard Culture: Training system, growing operations, vegetation management, plant health
Oenological Culture: Plant health, Ripeness, Grape harvest
El Roble
It is located between Elciego and Villabuena, in an area with good exposure, an aired balcony of 2,000 m2. Head-trained vines, grown on 100 year stone veins, in a deep horizon, clay loam and calcareous soil, facing northwest to southeast. Low yield Tempranillo with high oenological potential
Rio Seco
On the two hillside levels towards the east, on a sandy clay soil, with sandstone and on the upper slope of a small—often dry—stream in Elciego (hence its name), we have a free-standing plot of 3,000 m2, which was registered in 1920, but had been cultivated prior to that year. This plot holds Tempranillo in lower areas, and Viura in higher areas with more air circulation and sun exposure. Essential fruit for Finca Zuriena.
Piedras de Llecapajares
Registered in 1929 but harvested prior to that date. A flatland on a hill in the municipality of Lecapajares de Elciego, over Hoyo del Pintor, a place with a clear view to nearby vineyards and the Sierra de Cantabria. With a northeast-southwest orientation, good air circulation, and perfectly exposed to the sun, it adapts to a clay loam soil with countless stone blocks from which, miraculously, candelabra-shaped vine stocks grow. Tempranillo (as was the tradition at that time) mixed with Viura, Jaina and some Malvasia grapes. Like the previous one, it is harvested twice, for white and red wine.
Moraleja
7,500 m2: 90% of Tempranillo and 10% of Viura, grown in Elciego in 1946, after the Second World War, in the vicinity of the town and near other boundaries northwest of the village. Clay loam soil with balanced permeability and aeration, on a slight slope that eliminates runoff towards a small ravine.
Vialba
Bodegas Fos is located in a 3.5-hectare plot surrounded by vineyards. To the north, we find 2.7 hectares of Tempranillo, east-west orientation, cultivated since 1970. To the south, 8,000 m2 of Graciano, north-south orientation, grown since 1975. Both have a straw-colored, calcareous clay soil, with a low content of organic matter, structurally balanced, grown both in free-standing and trellis, and with high oenological quality.
La Portalada
It is strategically located in an area of great viticultural value, in the southern area of Laguardia, bordering Elciego.
Valcabada
As representative of nearby vineyards, located on the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria and next to one of the Laguardia lakes, we have this 3-hectare vineyard on a calcareous clay soil, with a gentle slope towards the center. It is one of the highest Tempranillo vineyards on our estate (600 m) and it was planted in 1976. With a longer cycle, it provides a very good ripening balance.
Manizuria
Our youngest vineyard—from 2004. Outstanding quality, adaptation, and balance. It is planted on the top of a hill of clay loam and calcareous soil. With a north-south orientation at 500 m altitude and ideal air circulation and sunshine, it is one of the highest areas of Elciego. The scare organic richness of its soil provides a low yield with high oenological performance.