We often get asked what other regions of Spain are worth checking out and even collecting beyond the well known standards of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. Answer: old-vine, single-vineyard Mencía from Bierzo, which is in the most northwestern part of Castilla y León. Visionary winemaker, Raúl Pérez has single-handedly put Bierzo on the international stage, and his nephew, César Márquez is following suit with Mencía blends that will leave you speechless. 

César Marquez Pérez grew up learning alongside his rock-star uncle, Raul Pérez. Their extended family, of course, has been a leading light in the Bierzo DO since they founded the iconic Castro Ventosa winery in 1792. César is among the front line of Spanish winemakers who are determined to reconnect with this ancient land and vines through organic farming, site-specificity, and minimal cellar intervention. 

• Blend:  85% Mencia, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 5% White grapes and others (Old field blend)
• A .2 Hectare  site called Sufreiral in the village of Toral de los Vados at 620 meters. Southwest facing. Here we have decomposed limestone. This site always produces very elegant wines. 
• Organically farmed fruit off of 100+-year-old vines. Only 580 bottles were produced.