Alvear
Founded in 1729 in Montilla by Diego de Alvear y Escalera, Bodegas Alvear is one of the oldest wineries in Andalusia. Over three centuries of history, the estate has established itself nationally and internationally and has seen eight generations of the Alvear family, each contributing to modernizing the available means and techniques, while maintaining a focus on the native Pedro Ximénez variety. An important member of the family was Diego de Alvear y Ponce de Leon, who combined his passion for viticulture with his military and political commitment. He found in the Argentine Capataz Billanueva a faithful assistant, who used to mark the best barrels in the entire Sierra de Montilla territory with his initials, thus creating the "Alvear style", a style of consistent quality. Currently, Bodegas Alvear is owned by over 50 partners descended from the family, with cousins Fernando Giménez-Alvear and Maria Alvear leading the management.
The Alvear vineyard estate, nestled among gentle hills and slopes, covers 300 hectares in the Sierra de Montilla area and is predominantly cultivated with Pedro Ximénez. In this area, there are two main types of soil: albariza, with its very calcareous white lands, and ruedo, characterized by a red color due to the abundance of iron oxide. The climate of the Sierra de Montilla is characterized by strong temperature variations between day and night, a factor that favors optimal grape ripening. In the 'Fino' and 'Amontillado' versions, the wines are matured in partially filled barrels under the characteristic veil of flor yeasts, which gives them unique organoleptic sensations. However, in the 'Oloroso' type, the flor veil cannot develop as the heavy fortification process prevents the proliferation of these particular yeasts. Finally, for the production of 'Pedro Ximenez' sherry, the pride of the bodega, the grapes of the same-named variety are harvested and left to dry under the sun, with the aging that takes place in small oak barrels according to the traditional system of “Criaderas y Soleras”, including also century-old vintages.
Those from the Alvear winery are surprising wines, rich in history and tradition, capable of encapsulating the essence of a unique territory.
Founded in 1729 in Montilla by Diego de Alvear y Escalera, Bodegas Alvear is one of the oldest wineries in Andalusia. Over three centuries of history, the estate has established itself nationally and internationally and has seen eight generations of the Alvear family, each contributing to modernizing the available means and techniques, while maintaining a focus on the native Pedro Ximénez variety. An important member of the family was Diego de Alvear y Ponce de Leon, who combined his passion for viticulture with his military and political commitment. He found in the Argentine Capataz Billanueva a faithful assistant, who used to mark the best barrels in the entire Sierra de Montilla territory with his initials, thus creating the "Alvear style", a style of consistent quality. Currently, Bodegas Alvear is owned by over 50 partners descended from the family, with cousins Fernando Giménez-Alvear and Maria Alvear leading the management.
The Alvear vineyard estate, nestled among gentle hills and slopes, covers 300 hectares in the Sierra de Montilla area and is predominantly cultivated with Pedro Ximénez. In this area, there are two main types of soil: albariza, with its very calcareous white lands, and ruedo, characterized by a red color due to the abundance of iron oxide. The climate of the Sierra de Montilla is characterized by strong temperature variations between day and night, a factor that favors optimal grape ripening. In the 'Fino' and 'Amontillado' versions, the wines are matured in partially filled barrels under the characteristic veil of flor yeasts, which gives them unique organoleptic sensations. However, in the 'Oloroso' type, the flor veil cannot develop as the heavy fortification process prevents the proliferation of these particular yeasts. Finally, for the production of 'Pedro Ximenez' sherry, the pride of the bodega, the grapes of the same-named variety are harvested and left to dry under the sun, with the aging that takes place in small oak barrels according to the traditional system of “Criaderas y Soleras”, including also century-old vintages.
Those from the Alvear winery are surprising wines, rich in history and tradition, capable of encapsulating the essence of a unique territory.
