The garnacha grape is one of the varieties that best expresses its terroir. Thus, the Garnacha of Alto Moncayo is different from the rest of the Campo de Borja Denominación de Origen (DO) area. This is due to the very strict selection made from the vineyards, the type of soil in which they are grown, the microclimate and the age of the vines. As these vines are very old, the strains are very well-balanced, with a very deep root system.
All of these factors, together with the location of the vineyards, between 500m and 800m in height, where the maturity is very slow, leads to wines of great fruitiness and minerality. In the mouth they are rich and fulsome, with pleasant, mature tannins and highly aromatic persistence.
The native Garnacha grapes of Alto Moncayo, together with the microclimate to which they are subjected, the type of soil, the orientation and rigorous handling combine to make the authentic native terroir, producing wines which are highly distinctive and unique in the world.
The winery was founded in 2002 using some of the oldest vines in the area. Currently, it produces wine from 92 hectares of native mountain strains of Garnacha, planted decades ago on the slopes of the Moncayo foothills in unique red clay soil mixed with slate. There is little organic matter in the soil, and it is not very deep. The vines are grown in bushes of native clones oriented towards the southwest. The winery is located in Borja, the heart of the Campo de Borja DO area. It sells its wines under three brands: ‘Aquilon’, ‘Alto Moncayo’, and ‘Veraton’.
https://bodegasaltomoncayo.com/winery/