Why it matters
The producer
Miguel Ángel de Gregorio came to Briones in 1986 while teaching at Madrid University and studying local farming. He is now the owner and winemaker of Finca Allende, the family property created with his sister Mercedes. The project began in 1995 with nine hectares of vines, and the first Allende was vinified that year.
Finca Allende works principally with Tempranillo, alongside Garnacha and Graciano for reds and Viura and Malvasia for whites. Its wines are vineyard based, with the work focused on expressing Rioja's varied terroirs.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Finca Allende is based at Plaza de Ibarra in Briones, in Rioja Alta. Its vineyards lie in Briones and neighbouring villages on the right bank of the Ebro. The area is characterized by northerly exposures, red clay topsoils and gravel substrates.
Clay can retain water while gravel drains quickly, giving nearby plots different growing conditions. Finca Allende's vineyard based range keeps those local differences visible through wines tied to individual vineyard sources.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes the principal Allende cuvée, Aurus, Calvario, white Finca Allende, Graciano and Mártires. Calvario is a single vineyard wine. Aurus is made from Tempranillo and Graciano and aged in new French oak.
Allende 2015 is a varietal Tempranillo aged for 14 months in French oak and bottled without filtration or clarification. The red wines draw on Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, while Viura and Malvasia appear in the white wines.