Bodegas Arrocal

This family estate in Burgos province produces authentic wines that capture the essence of the Tempranillo grape and the terroir in which they were grown.

Bodegas Arrocal is based in Gumiel de Mercado, an ancient medieval village in the Ribera del Duero DO with a long viticultural tradition. In the centre of the village, there is a hill under which the ancestors of Rosa Arroyo and Moisés Calvo (owners of Arrocal since 1999), excavated underground cellars for making and storing wine.

Tempranillo from privileged high-altitude sites 

Rosa and Moisés only make wine from their own estate-grown fruit. Their vineyard holdings are situated at an altitude of some 830 metres. The soils consist of limestone, sand, clay and gravel – the perfect terrain for Tempranillo. Tinto Fino, as the Tempranillo grape is known locally, accounts for 45 of Arrocal’s 50 hectares under vine, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and white variety Albillo Mayor making up the remainder.

Marrying innovation and tradition

In 2003, Rosa and Moisés finished constructing their new winery – a space equipped with the latest technology. All winemaking is by gravity flow, without any pumping. This minimises damage to the fruit. The barrels in the cellar are 80% French oak, with the rest made from American oak. Despite the use of modern equipment, the couple attach great importance to upholding the long tradition and legacy of their estate. They treat their natural resources with respect and farm their vineyards sustainably with the aim of producing high-quality wines of authenticity and regional character.

Their two sons, Rodrigo and Asier, now also work on the estate.

arrocal.com