Vagüera is a single 0.5 ha parcel of mixed vines located at 900–950 meters above sea level just outside the border of Toro in the village of El Maderal. Alvar purchased this site in 2009 when it was somewhat run down, as it had not been worked since 2006. There is a bewildering array of varieties planted here dating back to 1921. It is mostly Albillo in its various guises: Albillo Real, Albillo Rojo and Albillo Negro. Other recognizable varieties include: several types of Moscatel, Godello, Verdejo, Palomino and Malvasia. The remainder have yet to be identified – but at this point, isn’t it academic? The entire site is harvested on the same day, gently pressed and co-fermented by indigenous yeasts in neutral 300L French oak barrels.
