03 Mar Centenary Vineyards: The Liquid Soul of OurLand

In the world of wine, time is not just a number; it is a silent sculptor. At Dominio de Berzal, we understand that the oldest vines are not simply ancient plants, but guardians of a story that deserves to be told. To delve deeper into this viticultural treasure, we spoke with our winemaker, Iñigo Berzal, about what makes these vineyards so special.

Not Just About Turning One Hundred

A centenary vineyard is defined by vines that are more than a century old. These plants are true survivors, having withstood historic plagues and extreme weather
conditions over the decades. As Iñigo explains, their value lies in their resilience: “They are pre-phylloxera vines, dating back to before the phylloxera plague, which have
adapted and endured in this land for more than a century.” Having overcome so much, they have developed very deep root systems that allow them to reach nutrients other
vines cannot access and to self-regulate naturally.

Quality Over Quantity

One of the most fascinating characteristics of these vines is their low yield. As elderly plants, they produce fewer clusters, but what they offer is of exceptional quality.
Iñigo uses a very illustrative analogy: “These vines concentrate more fruit within each berry, with more intense and riper flavors. It’s a bit like the difference between perfume
and cologne; centenary vineyards are that concentrated perfume, while younger vineyards would be the cologne.”

Moreover, caring for them is an act of respect for the past:

Bush-trained vines (gobelet system): They are maintained using the traditional training system.
Manual cultivation: The work is done by hand, respecting the viticultural practices passed down from generation to generation.

Wines with Identity and Soul

How does all this effort translate into the glass? The result is wines with high aromatic intensity and enviable structure. Thanks to the vine’s natural selfregulation,
the balance and ripeness achieved are, in Berzal’s words, “almost perfect. Beyond technique, however, there is an emotional factor. “They are wines with a story
behind them; the passage of generations grants them a unique identity and soul.” At our winery, we have the privilege of caring for a centenary vineyard in the “La
Salmuera” parcel. From this very special corner comes one of our most distinctive projects: Recient. What makes this project unique is that, starting from a vineyard
with more than one hundred years of history, we dare to craft a young wine. It is our way of bottling the freshness of the present with the wisdom of the past.