Dominio de Casalta

1,000 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL, SURROUNDED BY CENTURIES-OLD HOLM

History

Dominio de Casalta is the project through which I took my first steps as a wine producer in 2010. It was an exciting start, making my own wine in the garage at home using grapes from the vineyards of a family estate: Finca Casalta.

Casalta is a unique location in the Almansa region, surrounded by centuries-old holm oaks and offering privileged conditions: great soil diversity, an elevation of more than 1,000 meters above sea level, and organically farmed vineyards up to 60 years old that undergo a slow, complex ripening process while maintaining perfect natural acidity.

The philosophy behind this project is to represent a singular terroir, completely different from its surroundings—a mosaic of grape varieties, soils, and vineyard aspects, interpreted with a vision to create something innovative.

Viticulture

The vines at Finca Casalta are organically farmed with a respectful approach where the vineyard itself takes center stage. Only the grapes that can ripen under optimal conditions are kept.

Casalta is a place with special conditions where there’s a perfect synergy between climate, soil, and grape variety. The soil ranges from sandy to clay with limestone rock, and the wide variety of vineyard aspects results in different ripening profiles. The 1,000-meter altitude significantly cools nighttime temperatures, extending the ripening period and preserving the grape’s natural acidity.

With an average vine age of up to 60 years, the estate is divided into different plots planted with a mosaic of grape varieties—ranging from the local Garnacha Tintorera to international ones like Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot. These are varieties that are difficult to grow outside their native regions, yet they have adapted remarkably well to Casalta’s terroir.

Winemaking

At the winery, located right next to the vineyard, we only use grapes from Finca Casalta. Vinification is done in small tanks to highlight the different styles by soil type and grape variety, allowing for a clearer expression of each terroir within the estate.

The winery is organically certified and wine is made in the most respectful and honest way possible, with minimal intervention, allowing the wine—mostly shaped in the vineyard—to express its full identity.