After the first two weeks of harvest, the initial balance by La Rioja Alta, S.A. winery technicians is very positive. They are very satisfied with the perfect condition and magnificent balance of the grapes picked since 26 September, when this demanding harvest began in Montecillo (Fuenmayor), Los Cuartos and El Monte (Cenicero) and La Pedriza (Tudelilla).

A new vintage which the house of Haro, in its constant search for the highest quality in all its wines, reinforces its commitment to apply strict selection systems both in the vineyard and in the winery.

After cutting the clusters off by hand to ensure they remain in perfect condition, they are separated and transported in small boxes of about 18 kg, which are kept refrigerated until they arrive at the crush pad in Labastida. Here, a double optical sorting line individually analyses each berry. Only those grapes that meet the demanding standards set by Julio Sáenz’s winemaking team are sent to the fermenters.

Daily ripening tests are carried out to determine the date when the grapes are to be picked at Torre de Oña in Páganos, Álava. The winery group has also started picking the Tinta del País owned by Viñedos y Bodegas Áster in Anguix, Burgos. The Fuentecojo, Dehesilla and El Otero estates are picked out and the winemaker Julio Sáenz is very satisfied with their condition, alcohol content and balance.

Where the 2018 harvest has already ended with great success is in Lagar de Cervera in O Rosal (Pontevedra). Good weather allowed for constant, slow-paced harvesting in these Galician vineyards, where the Albariño grape was picked in magnificent condition with superb quality. The musts are already completing a seamless alcoholic fermentation.