Familia Castano

Based in Yecla, Bodegas Castaño is known for its huge efforts to promote one of Spain's native varieties, Monastrell. Castaño symbolises the best of what southern Spain has to offer: robustly modern wines, with almost Syrah-like complexity, that over deliver in terms of value year after year. Monastrell was once used exclusively for bulk wines and blending, but Castaño began bottling characterful, single varietal Monastrell in the 1980s. Today, in the expert hands of Daniel Castaño and his family, the variety maintains high quality even at moderate to generous yields. 80% of the family's 410 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to Monastrell, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Macabeo and Chardonnay. The Monastrell is sourced from non-irrigated bush and trellis vines up to 40 years old in the 'Las Gruesas' and 'Pozuelo' vineyards respectively. Totalling 90 hectares, the two vineyards are located at an altitude of 750m, with a north-south aspect, on sandy limestone soils. The estate is surrounded by smooth hills covered with pine trees, holm oaks and fragrant bushes of rosemary and thyme. It is crossed by the Via Augusta, the ancient Roman way that went all over Hispania and its archaeological remains are still clearly seen. It also faces the iconic peak in Yecla, Mount Arabi (1068m) whose silhouette forms a stunning backdrop to the vineyards. The origins of Yecla can be breathed in its caves and rock shelters, full of primitive paintings and carvings..