[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”216″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_single_image image=”222″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Alvear Family” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23202020″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”History of Bodegas Alvear” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1542040763522{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Alvear Family<\/strong>\u00a0has its origins in the old neighbourhood of Trasmiera in the mountains of Burgos. In the early 16th century the family uprooted from its modest ancestral home in San Miguel de Aras, and settled in N\u00e1jera (La Rioja) subsequently relocating, some years later, to the province of C\u00f3rdoba in Andaluc\u00eda.<\/p>\n Juan Bautista Garc\u00eda de Alvear y Garnica<\/strong>\u00a0was born in N\u00e1jera on 18th July 1657. This prominent individual was Mayor of the \u2018Noble Kingdom of N\u00e1jera\u2019 and while performing his duties was posted to C\u00f3rdoba in the role of \u2018Royal Tax Collector\u2019. Once in his new destination, and having being married before, he remarried a Cordobese noblewoman; a matrimony which gave rise to the birth of\u00a0Diego de Alvear y Escalera<\/strong>, the first of the family wine saga.<\/p>\n In due course, Diego moved to Montilla where, as a result of being in such close contact with the elements of sea and sky, the seeds for his passion for the land were sown; a passion which would steer him towards the world of vineyards and wine and culminate with the construction of the\u00a0Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0bodega in 1729. The bodega was regarded as somewhat small and obscured at the time in what was then the close-knit labyrinth of Montilla, yet this reduced space, given over to wine butts and amphorae, was to become Diego\u2019s most intimate universe.<\/p>\n Over time, Diego began to acquire large extensions of land in the region, becoming one of the most important land-owners in the city. Together with his son, Santiago, he took the bodega to unprecedented heights, never before imagined in Montilla, when he won a contract to ship wine to England in the late 18th century.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n One of Diego\u2019s most famous heirs was\u00a0Diego de Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0y\u00a0Ponce de Le\u00f3n<\/strong>\u00a0who, during his lifetime from 1749 to 1830, combined his winemaking vocation with his eventful military and political career, having captained the frigate \u2018Mercedes\u2019, which was sunk in the Battle of Cape St Mary by the British, and has recently been brought to light again thanks to the shipwreck recovery firm, Odyssey.<\/p>\n Also from that period, and famous in his own right, is the assistant who\u00a0Diego de Alvear y Ponce de Le\u00f3n<\/strong> brought with him from Argentina, Capataz Billanueva, who would eventually become his right-hand-man. From its beginnings Bodegas Alvear has always maintained a close relationship between Spain and Argentina, a bond which still remains strong today.<\/p>\n Capataz Billanueva (C.B.)<\/strong>\u00a0used to mark the barrels containing the best wines from the sierra with his initials, giving rise to the \u2018Alvear style\u2019 that brought together the characteristic modernity and homogeneity that distinguished the bodega\u2019s wines; characteristics that are still present today in \u2018Fino C.B.\u2019, a centuries-old wine and the company\u2019s most well-known brand.<\/p>\n Throughout its 284-year long history,\u00a0Bodegas Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0has managed to hold on to its family traits, passing ownership from parent to child so that currently the business is in the hands of the eighth generation.<\/p>\n Over the years, each one of the family\u2019s successive generations has contributed its very own grain of sand to the business; both in the bodega\u2019s strive towards state-of-the-art technology, as well as in its determination to preserve its architectural heritage.<\/p>\n This historic bodega has successfully managed to combine and put into practice the extensive experience of a privileged land and a dedicated family in order to produce exceptional wines.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”232″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The Alvear Family Today” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Throughout its history, the\u00a0Alvear bodega<\/strong>\u00a0has retained its family character by firmly sticking to its roots. The current generation of the Alvear family is very large; more than 50 members own the business, some of whom also participate in the running of the business.<\/p>\n Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0distributes its products all over Spain, its main market being the Mediterranean region from Catalonia to Algeciras. The bodega also sells 40 per cent of its production abroad to more than 25 countries including the UK, Holland, Japan, Canada and Australia.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1541589405485{padding-top: 2% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Montilla-Moriles, the Kingdom of the Pedro Xim\u00e9nez grape variety” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23202020″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the most prestigious and internationally renowned bodegas in Andaluc\u00eda, boasting extensive vineyards that are located in the most famous estates in the\u00a0Sierra de Montilla y Moriles (C\u00f3rdoba)<\/strong>. This privileged land\u2019s star grape variety is Pedro Xim\u00e9nez, which is thought to have originated in the Rhine region, and is used by the bodega as the unique base wine for its sweet, Fino, Oloroso and Amontillado wines.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”237″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_single_image image=”238″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”The Pedro Xim\u00e9nez grape variety” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n The Pedro Xim\u00e9nez grape variety<\/strong>\u00a0is not only the star of\u00a0DO Montilla-Moriles<\/strong>\u00a0but also of the wines and vineyards owned by Bodegas Alvear. Legend has it that it was brought from the Rhine by a solider serving in the Spanish army in Flanders, who consequently gave it his name.<\/p>\n In general, the bodega\u2019s vineyards are cultivated on exceptionally chalky soils. The region boasts two very distinct soil types: white \u2018albariza or albero\u2019 soils which are very chalky, porous, poor in organic material and produce low yields, and where the grapes are subject to a longer and more balanced ripening process; and \u2018ruedo\u2019 soils that are red in colour due to the presence of iron oxides, and which, in contrast, accelerate the ripening process.<\/p>\n After the initial vinification process the wines are subject to the miracle known as \u2018ageing under a velo de flor\u2019; a natural biological process whereby a cream-coloured cap or \u2018velo de flor\u2019 of yeast, indigenous to the region, develops on the top of the wine. The action of the yeast bestows extraordinary aroma and flavour to the wine, which is quite distinct from when it is first produced as a base wine. In order to encourage the development of the native yeast strain optimum temperature and humidity conditions are maintained in the bodega and the wine casks or butts are filled to about five-sixths, leaving enough free space at the top for the \u2018velo de flor\u2019 to develop. Wines subject to a longer ageing process, usually until the nutritional capacity of the \u2018flor\u2019 has been exhausted, are called Amontillado wines, which acquire a deep golden colour.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n In the Oloroso winemaking process, in contrast to Fino wines, the \u2018flor\u2019 is not allowed to develop and the process is stopped by fortifying the wine to an ABV of 18 per cent (\u2018flor\u2019 needs around 15 per cent to grow) and by completely filling the wine casks to the top. As a result, the effects of ageing in these wines can be appreciated via the distinctive mark left by oak and time.<\/p>\n Pedro Xim\u00e9nez<\/strong>\u00a0is a sweet, smooth wine made by exposing the grapes to the sun once harvested. Grape clusters are spread over plaited esparto grass mats and the grapes are slowly sun-dried until becoming raisins. A dense must is then obtained from the crushed raisins to produce an authentic \u2018raisin juice\u2019. The subsequent winemaking and ageing processes give rise to the region\u2019s classic sweet Pedro Xim\u00e9nez wines.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”245″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Criaderas y soleras” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n The barrels used to age Fino wines are called \u2018botas\u2019 in Spanish (wine butts) and usually have a capacity of around 500 litres. The preferred wood used to make wine butts is American oak due to its porosity. However, new wood should never be used. In the bodega wine butts are stacked row upon row to varying heights; the stacks are called \u2018cachones\u2019. The walkway between two \u2018cachones\u2019 is called an \u2018andana\u2019 and each row of butts is called a \u2018criadera\u2019. The \u2018criadera\u2019 closest to the floor is called the \u2018solera\u2019; the row above is called the \u2018first criadera\u2019; the next the \u2018second criadera\u2019 and so on and so forth. Each \u2018criadera\u2019 or row contains wine which has been aged for the same amount of time; the \u2018solera\u2019, contains the oldest wine, the \u2018first criadera\u2019 the next oldest wine etc. until reaching the top where the youngest wine is stored.<\/p>\n Bodegas Alvear<\/strong>\u00a0has the capacity to age 5 million litres of wine in oak wine butts that are distributed around various bodegas: La Sacrist\u00eda and El Liceo, where the oldest wines are stored; Las Mercedes, known widely as C.B., and Las Higueras and Buganvillas, where the Pedro Xim\u00e9nez wines are aged. The bodega called \u2018de la Casa\u2019, Alvear\u2019s first property, which is located in the old town centre, is regarded as a site of Historic and Artistic Interest. This 18th century former manor house hosts the region\u2019s oldest \u2018soleras\u2019 which contain 200-year old Amontillado wines.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1541589405485{padding-top: 2% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”How to find us” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23202020″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Mar\u00eda Auxiliadora, 1 – 14550 Montilla (C\u00f3rdoba)<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong>: +34 957 650 100 \/ Fax<\/strong>: +34 957 650 135[\/vc_column_text][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”216″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][vc_single_image image=”222″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Alvear Family” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23202020″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_custom_heading text=”History of Bodegas Alvear” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1542040763522{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text] The\u00a0Alvear Family\u00a0has its origins in the old neighbourhood of Trasmiera in the mountains of Burgos. In the early 16th century the family uprooted from its modest ancestral home in San Miguel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-718","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n