Mauro Bergesio, upon first farming a small parcel of vines in the dramatic mountains of southern Salamanca, immediately saw remarkable potential in the local grapes. Though he isn’t a winemaker, Mauro is a fervid advocate of terroir, obsessed with old and gnarly vines, thrilled by the possibilities of how land can express itself in wine. For his projects, Mauro seeks out winemakers that have a unique and special touch for the grapes that he grows, with preservation of the integrity of fruit and terroir essential. 

For his Alegal, Mauro has partnered with Daniel Ramos, the esteemed winemaker from Gredos, the mountainous region near Madrid that features some of the highest sites in Spain. It’s in this high-elevation region (800-950m above sea level) of decomposed granitic sand and/or slate schists soils that Garnacha is king. From 100-year-old Calabrés bush vines (the biotype of Garnacha indigenous to this region), only 300 bottles were produced in the current vintage. As the locals say: ‘Calabrés! Don’t sell it, don’t give it, don’t show it to the neighbor, for its wine is perfect!’