A TRUE EXPRESSION
of Rioja
Campo Viejo is a women-led winery with a passion for sustainable winemaking. By Colleen Thompson
Winemakers Irene Pérez, Elena Adell, Elena Suárez
Campo Viejo
is a one-of-a-kind winery located in the historic La Rioja region in Northern Spain and is grounded in the principles of sustainable development. Campo Viejo is led by a team of female winemakers and is the first Spanish winery to certify its carbonneutral status, a reflection of its commitment to preserving the land for future generations. The winery became the first certified member of Wineries for Climate Protection. This initiative focuses on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, increasing energy efficiency, decreasing water consumption, and improving waste management. Built into a hillside, the winery is naturally cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, cutting its heating and cooling costs. The entire winemaking process is enabled by gravity as opposed to being powered by pumps. The process starts with the grapes being destemmed and crushed at the top and then dropping to the next level via gravity to the tanks for fermentation. Renewable electricity provides power instead of fossil fuels.
64
CHILLED MAGAZINE
In addition, a focus on saving water, has meant that Campo Viejo needs only 0.77 liters of water to make each bottle of wine, compared with the Spanish average of 2.25 liters. And, cutting 160 grams from the weight of each bottle triggered a 30% drop in the brand’s carbon footprint. Winemakers Elena Adell, Irene Pérez, and Elena Suárez are dedicated to the principles and traditions of Rioja winemaking, producing wines crafted primarily from Tempranillo grapes sourced from all subregions of Rioja (Alta, Oriental, and Alavesa) used as single varietals or blended. The Red Blend in particular is the result of the three wine makers' collaboration as a team using three grape varieties Tempranillo, Garnacha and Bobal. “The Red Blend is a true representation of the expressiveness of Spain and our shared creative spirits. Each of us has brought a unique ingredient to the table,” explains Chief Wine Maker Elena Adell. Each bottle of Campo Viejo wine has an informative and consumer-centric back label with details about the intensity, complexity, fruit, pairing recommendations, and serving temperature.
