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Proprietor: Rugby friends Tom Puyaubert, David Sampedro and Javier
Gomez founded Exopto in 2003 owing 15 acres of vineyard land. Their
first vintage was 2003.
Winemaker / Vineyard Manager: Tom and David
Location: Zone 3, Rioja Alavesa district; the winery is located in the
town of LaGuardia and the vineyards in the town of Ábalos at 2,014 ft
altitude. Of the 3 districts in Rioja (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja
Baja), Alavesa is the coolest and highest in rainfall.
Wines Made: Horizonte de Exopto
Climate: Continental Atlantic, moderate warm days and cool nights, with
10.8 inches of rainfall between May and October. This climate forces the
grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines that are fresher, more aromatic
and fruit flavor driven. Average temperatures of 61F. between May and
October. The vineyards of Exopto are exposed to cooler temperatures and
less rain than neighboring producers from the same district (Rioja
Alavesa). As a result of these climatic conditions, we encounter: high
Skin to juice ratios, low vine yields leading to greater flavor concentration
and aromatic expression.
Soils: Clay and limestone on the surface and sand and rocks on its
subsoil. This soil profile has two features, 1. it is cool, which allows for a
longer ripening period and 2. also allows for water retention, preventing
drought. Its subsoil (sand and rocks) is low in ph content, and poor in
organic material, resulting in grapes that possess greater sensorial acidity
and lower yields making these grapes more concentrated in fruit.
What makes Exopto unique?
* its soil and climate combination,
leading to small yields, freshness, aromatics, fruit concentration and dry
extract.
* small production less than 7,000 bottles (583 cases) made of
their 2004 vintage.
* Tempranillo vines are between 50-90 year old vines
and Graciano 30 year old vines.
BREAKDOWN OF VINEYARDS |
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There are 154,100 acres of vineyard
land in Rioja |
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Tempranillo Exopto vineyards during the
month of November, with the Cantabrian
Mountains in the background (4,000 ft high) |
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Grapes |
Acres |
Age Of Vines |
Soil |
Altitude |
Slope |
Garnacha |
1 |
70 |
Clay and Rocky |
2,014 ft |
1 % |
Tempranillo |
12 |
50-90 |
Limestone, Clay, Rocky and Sand |
2,014 ft |
1 % |
Graciano |
2 |
30 |
Limestone, Clay, Rocky and Sand |
2,014 ft |
1 % |
TOP
Name of Wine: Horizonte de Exopto 2004
Producer: Bodegas Rug Vino
DO: Rioja - Alavesa (Zone # 3) Climate: Continental Atlantic
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 10% Graciano
Soils: Clay and Limestone on the surface and rocky subsoil
Production: 583 Cases made – 100 for the U.S.
Wine Maker: Tom Puyaubert and David Sampedro
Ageing: 10 months in new oak (80% French, 20% USA )
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