Dehesa del Carrizal

The Dehesa del Carrizal Denominación de Origen de Pago is one of five Denominaciones de Origen de Pago in Spain. This is the highest category on the quality scale of Spanish wines and means that in addition to having a proven track record of consistent quality, the wines have to be both produced from estate-grown grapes and also have to be processed and aged in a winery (bodega) located on the estate.

This DO de Pago is located between the municipalities of Higueruela, Bonete, Alpera and Almansa, in the province of Albacete (Castile-La Mancha, Spain). The estate was founded in 1962 by Arsenio García Cañada.

The Estate

The estate covers an area of around 2,400 hectares and is planted to cereals and vines.

Climate and Soils

The climate is continental: hot dry summers where the temperature can rise above 40ºC, and cold winters with abundant snow and sub-zero temperatures. Average annual rainfall is around 375 l/m2, with May and October being the rainiest months.

The estate is located on a high plateau (approx 1,000 m above sealevel) surrounded by mountains. The soil is limey with some areas of clay and is generally poor in organic matter.

Vines

The main variety grown on the estate is garnacha tintorera (210 hectares), an uncommon red variety whose juice is also red, unlike most red vrieties. Also 24 hectares of Syrah.

References

http://www.vinoselcarrascal.com