Garnacha “As Ladieras” Calatayud 2021 – Cuevas de Arom

The 30-60 year old Garnacha vines are grown on pre-Cambian slate and quartzite soils across 8.5 hectares of vineyard on north-facing slopes at 600m altitude. The vineyards are undergoing conversion to organic viticulture. “As Ladieras” is an expression from the local Aragonese dialect meaning ‘slopes’. Fernando considers this to be his ‘Premier Cru’ vineyard.

Cuevas de Arom is a new project led by friends Fernando Mora MW and Mario López, based in Calatayud. They own some of the oldest and highest vineyards in the region planted on precipitous slopes, offering Cuevas de Arom access to the best Garnacha fruit. The region of Calatayud is located far inland, south of Zaragoza in Aragon. Here the climate is warm and continental with very low rainfall. Fernando was determined to unlock the potential of the region’s oldest Garnacha vineyards, which are located on high-altitude plateaus at 600 to 1,000 metres above sea level. This altitude, combined with the vineyards’ northerly aspect, moderates the region’s warm climate and provides a wide diurnal range for perfectly paced slow ripening to develop complex aromatics and preserve the grapes’ fresh acidity. Balance is integral to Fernando’s wines with naturally high acidity tempering the wine’s vivid fruit profile. The parcels are farmed using sustainable and organic practices, with some certified organic.