HERACLIO ALFARO RIOJA, SPAIN
JOEL GOTT CALIFORNIA, USA
Pioneering winemaking rooted in aviation heritage.
Continues to have a cult like following.
Compañía de Vinos Heraclio Alfaro is a winery located near the village of Alfaro in La Rioja, Spain. Named after Heraclio Alfaro Fournier, a pioneering Spanish aviator and aircraft designer, the winery sits on the historic Estarijo estate spanning 100 hectares. Currently, 30 hectares are dedicated to vineyards, while twelve hectares are planted with Arbequina olive trees, and the remaining land is covered by fruit trees. The vineyards were established in the 1970s and feature deep loam soils with abundant pebbles, offering moderate fertility and controlled vine growth. Tempranillo and Graciano grapes dominate the vineyard, with a smaller quantity of Mazuelo variety. The region experiences an average rainfall of 400 mm and has an average temperature of 13.6ºC. The winery, constructed on former aircraft hangars, boasts advanced technology and tools for crafting distinctive wines. Notable features include a grape washer and sorter, a gravity-fed system for gentle grape transfer to fermentation tanks, tanks with a 1:1 height-to-width ratio, pumping-over systems with synoptic displays, and a barrel cellar equipped with underfloor heating and cooling for precise climate control. These facilities contribute to the production of exceptional wines at Compañía de Vinos Heraclio Alfaro.
While running Palisades Market in Calistoga in the early 1990s, Joel Gott noticed a growing need for quality, value wines. Having worked at Kenwood Winery in Sonoma County, and with a family history in the business, Joel felt sure he could fill this void in the market place. In 1996, Joel purchased a few tons of Zinfandel and with the help of Sarah, his girlfriend, and winemaker at Joseph Phelps, produced his first vintage of Dillian Ranch Amador County Zinfandel. The wine received praise from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, which was all the encouragement Joel needed to produce additional varietals. Other wines were to follow, and the year after, he and Sarah produced California appellation Zinfandel, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Shopping the entire state for the best fruit, they created wines shaped by various regions instead of a single estate. This style and commitment to quality wines, blended from hand-selected vineyards, helped guide the direction of Joel Gott Wines.
CODE PRODUCT
QTY/SIZE PRICELUC
CODE PRODUCT
QTY/SIZE PRICELUC
V 12x750ml $150.00 $16.13
173336 Barrel Aged Chardonnay
12x750ml $248.00 $26.66
177637 Crianza Rioja
145779 Zinfandel
12x750ml $192.00 $20.64
173353 815 Cabernet Sauvignon
12x750ml $248.00 $26.66
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