Binario Tempranillo | Rioja, Spain

Organic and Biodynamic 100% Tempranillo Rioja Joven.

Navarrsotillo, founded by brothers Andres and Ramon Serrano, is fully committed to Organic and Biodynamic agriculture in the DOs of Rioja and Navarra. In 1998 theirs was the second vineyard in Rioja to convert to organic growing.

They now have 70ha of vines in Rioja across 12 plots and 40ha in Navarra where the biggest at 18ha was the first to be run as bio-dynamic. The vineyards located in Calahorra (Rioja Baga) and Andosilla (Navarra) - though in different regions they are just 10k across the DO divide.

The Binario label is run by sisters Ruth de Andrea (winemaker, who studied as a chemist at Sheffield University) and Ana de Andrea (manager) who work very closely – selecting grapes and renting facilities – with the Serrano family.

Each Tempranillo vineyard is picked by hand at night to retain freshness. The grapes are destemmed into inox where it undergoes native fermentation (15% carbonic) for half a lunar cycle. Free run wine undergoes malolactic fermentation via a house pied du cuvee and is kept on fine lees for 5 months. Nothing is added except SO2 allowable within Demeter certified biodynamic guidelines.

The vines range from 20-40 years old and are cultivated using organic matter, both made from animal manure and pruned grapevine shoots, following all biodynamic principles and incorporating their homemade infusions and composts. These traditional farming practices help create nitrogen in the soils which lends for healthy regeneration and growth.

The climate is continental, heavily influenced by the Mediterranean; the soils are of limestone, clay and sand.

The bottle is presented without a capsule to cut down on waste.