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Vega Sicilia Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

Discover the extraordinary allure of Vega Sicilia, the iconic estate nestled in the heart of Ribera del Duero. Renowned wine expert Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine, describes Vega Sicilia’s flagship wine, Unico, as the stuff legends are made of. With a rich history spanning over a century and a half, Vega Sicilia has been shaped by five passionate owners who have left an indelible mark on its destiny.

In 1864, Don Eloy de Lecanda embarked on a winemaking journey inspired by Bordeaux on the Pago de la Vega Santa Cecilia y Carrascal estate. However, he soon discovered that Ribera del Duero’s native grape, Tinto Fino (also known as Tempranillo), thrived exceptionally in its terroir. The combination of schistous base soil covered by a chalky subsoil and the region’s elevated altitude ranging from 600 to 700 meters above sea level creates the ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The cool nights following hot days and an extended ripening season bestow upon the wines a remarkable quality that sets them apart. The Herrero family took over the reins in 1900, guiding the winery through half a century of success, followed by the company Prodes SA from 1950 to 1964.

However, it was during the ownership of Hans Newmann from 1964 to 1982 that Vega Sicilia experienced a glorious period, producing a dazzling array of exquisite wines. Notably, 1982 was a momentous year for Vega Sicilia and Ribera del Duero, as the Alvarez family acquired the estate, coinciding with Ribera del Duero being granted Denominación de Origen status, solidifying its prestige.

Today, under the stewardship of the Alvarez family, Bodegas Vega Sicilia proudly oversees approximately 1,000 hectares of land, with 250 hectares dedicated to meticulously maintained vineyards. The remarkable Unico and Valbuena 5 Año wines, the epitome of Vega Sicilia’s craftsmanship, are painstakingly crafted from carefully selected grapes of the highest quality, sourced from decades-old vines. The Valbuena vines have an average age of around 25 years, while the vines used for Unico have gracefully matured for an impressive 45 years.

 

Ribera del Duero Wine Tour

Ribera del Duero Wine Tour

Explore the history and cuisine of Ribera del Duero on our wine tour. Taste fine wines and classic Spanish dishes while discovering hidden gems. Book now!

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Further Reading

Author

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James Lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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