Why it matters
The producer
Bodegas Vegalfaro farms 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards. The estate has never used artificial products in its vineyards. Its farming philosophy centres on soil health and biodiversity, with European Union certification across the holding.
Pago de Los Balagueses received Vino de Pago status in February 2011, changing the designation carried by the estate wine. The classification applies to an 18 hectare estate inside a 330 hectare total holding and is one of Spain's highest single estate categories. Rodolfo Valiente was named best winemaker in the Valencia region in 2017. One date changed the label; the other named the winemaker.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Inland Requena, in Valencia, is where Bodegas Vegalfaro produces Cava outside the traditional Penedès heartland. D.O. Cava is a pan Spanish designation for sparkling wine, with approved production zones beyond Catalonia. The bodega operates across three Spanish wine designations, including D.O. Cava and D.O.P. Pago de Los Balagueses. Its vineyards range from 600 to 900 metres in a transitional continental Mediterranean climate.
Caprasia Bobal is 100% Bobal from 85 year old vines trained in the traditional bush vine style at 680 metres in Vega del Rio Magro. The wine comes from a plot of red loamy clay adjoining the bodega and another small plot of limestone. Bush vines are freestanding rather than trellised, so the bottle carries a single grape together with two stated soil sources.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Beneficial insects, including mites, spiders and bees, handle pest control, while sheep manage weeds. For Pago de Los Balagueses Syrah, the cellar period lasts approximately 10 months in French oak before further bottle ageing. Oak ageing gives the wine time to soften before bottle ageing continues the process.
Wines to know
The range in view
Vegalfaro's range spans sparkling, white, rosé and red wines, with Cava made under the D.O. Cava designation. Rebel.lia is a red blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha Tintorera and Bobal, aged in Hungarian oak. Caprasia Bobal is the single grape red in the range, while Pago de Los Balagueses Syrah is the flagship red. The range moves between a multi grape red with Hungarian oak and single grape reds from named vineyard sources.
Pago de Los Balagueses Syrah is deep ruby with purple highlights. Its intense nose brings ripe black and red fruit, violets, balsamic notes and Asian spice from the oak. Rebel.lia shows dark cherry with purple tones, red fruits, wild herbs and subtle toast. On the palate, Rebel.lia is fresh and fruit driven, with plum, blackberry and cherry followed by a balanced finish.