Quinta de Aves Chardonnay
Quinta de Aves – House of the Birds – is an award winning, small winery from one of Spain’s areas producing ‘Volcanic wines’.
The vines are grown on trellises in rocky soils and river rock. Green pruning is carried out to concentrate aromas and flavours. Harvesting is carried out at night to take advantage of the cooler hours of the day, the grapes being transported from the vine to the selection table in few minutes. The process of slow maceration begins with a pressing in an inert atmosphere, obtaining the must in a natural way. The subsequent fermentation is carried out at a low temperature,
The juice is kept on the lees for 3- 5 months, continuously using “battonage” technique.
There is a current interest in ‘Volcanic Wines’, and Quinta de Aves is from one of the most important volcanic regions in the Iberian Peninsular – Campo de Catatrava.
Golden hue; notes of nectarine, melon and pineapple. The palate is medium/light, smooth and round: succulent and tasty with a fresh character and slightly mineral finish.
Perfect partner of baked fish and vegetables or rice. It highlights the nuances of matured cheese.
About the Producer
Quinta de Aves
The estate, Finca La Cañada, which comprises 500ha and several farms was acquired in the 1980s by Don Manuel Casado Casla. After 25 years dedicated to improving the quality of the vineyards his family decided to start producing and bottling their own wines under the brand Quinta de Aves.
Quinta de Aves is located in the heart of Campo de Calatrava, one of the areas of volcanic origins in the Iberian Peninsula with most recent activity. These volcanic soils have an extreme importance in the viticulture; influencing the mesocclimate that surrounding the vines and through the roots transmitting a unique character to the wines.
The oldest vines are 50 years old, many other plots over 30. The 81ha of vineyards (within a 500ha estate) are on a plain at about 725m surrounded by hills; the soil is limestone quartzite and slate. There is little summer rainfall but the subsoil of calcium carbonate has excellent ability to retain water.
Grapes are grown under organic viticulture criteria and techniques to value and preserve the environment. Cultivation techniques prioritise manual options, mechanical work adapted to carefully take care of the vineyard and everything surrounding it – paying attention to the flora and fauna, especially birds (over 100 migratory species, drawn to the large ponds) which inhabit the environment.
The Quinta de Aves winery was built in 2006 and is integrated into the vineyard. An unobtrusive, functional building, half of which is underground, was designed in line with the company philosophy: respect of the environment, traditions and technological modernity. It sits on a hill overlooking the countryside. Set within Pyrenean and Holm oak groves its colour blends into the landscape and its profile into the surroundings, designed to go unnoticed and leave nature to take the leading role.
