Almaroja, 'Cielos y Besos'

Charlotte Allen, owner and winemaker of Almaroja, farms the grapes for her wines in Arribes del Duero, the only denominación de origen in Spain that is entirely within a national park.

The Cielos y Besos spends 3-4 days in a pre-fermentation maceration, followed by a fermentation (on the skins for almost three weeks) in temperature controlled concrete tanks, and is pumped over once every two days. The wine then spends eight months on its fine lees in concrete tanks, and undergoes full malolactic fermentation before being bottled without fining, filtration or stabilization.

The name Cielos y Besos was inspired by the lyrics from one of Charlotte's favorite songs, Tiempo y Silencio, by the Cape Verde singer Cesária Évora. The name seemed somehow joyful to her, much like the feeling the wine inspired.

Juan García is a variety native to the Arribes del Duero and the most widely planted red grape in the area. Bruñal is another variety indigenous to the region as well. 

Rufete is a variety native to Portugal, the majority of which is used in the production of Port. 

Learn more about Bodega Almaroja here.