Located in the town of El Bonillo (Castilla-La Mancha) at an altitude of over 3,280 feet, Finca Élez makes wine reflective of its extreme growing conditions. The estate borders the Special Protection Area for Steppe Birds of El Bonillo, which is part of the Natura 2000 Network, home to protected species such as the bustard and sisón. Certified organic, Finca Élez produces wines in harmony with the surrounding land that are deeply reflective of its extraordinary terroir.
Pago Finca Élez was founded in 1992. It was created with the ambition to make unique, high-quality Spanish wines. In 2000, Finca Élez was the first winery awarded the Vino de Pago classification, and later became one of the founding members of Grandes Pagos de España, also in 2000. Nearly 30 years from its founding, the estate was acquired in 2020 by the current owners, agronomists Olallo Villoldo and Llanos Ruiz. The new owners are equally passionate about the countryside and its agriculture.
Finca Élez has been certified organic since 2014, showingaclearvocationforsustainability,respectfor the environment and biodiversity. Their long history of organic farming is reflected in the health of the vineyardsandthequalityofthegrapes.
All the energy consumed at Finca Élez is green and generated in a photovoltaic plant on the roof of the winery, and the estate also belongs to the plan to save water from the local aquifer. Both measures are part of Finca Élez's commitment to a more sustainableworld.
Olallo Villoldo was born in El Bonillo, the municipality where he spent his childhood among the vineyards and thewineryownedbyhisgreat-grandfather.TheFincaÉlez project is very special because it is located in the same municipalityandrepresentsareturntohisorigins.
Miguel Ángel Benito is the technical director in charge of viticultural management and winemaking, with previous experience working in Castilla-La Mancha. Javier García Alonso and Carlos Sánchez, both winemakers and advisors,providetheirvisionandstyletothewines
Winemakers: CarlosSánchezandJavierGarcíaAlonso
Finca Élez is located in the southern area of one of the best preserved juniper groves in Spain.
precipitation as well as cold winters and hot summers. During the growing season, days are hot with cool nights. The high altitude ensures good insolation, and influences 35° (F) diurnal temperature shiftsduringtheendofthecycle,causinga fullandslowripening.
Shallow clay and limestone soils with a sandy-clay texture are poor in organic material. The high quantity of stones promotes good drainage and regulates vinevigor.
ORGANIC FARMING
Finca Élez has been certified organic since 2014. The winery leverages natural advantages such as constant winds and dry summerweathertonaturallyprotectthevinesfromfungusanddisease,avoidingallsynthetictreatments.
Finca Élez believes that great wine happens when the grape variety is perfectly adapted to the growing site. When Finca Élez was created, the estate had never been cultivated. They chose to plant varieties that were best adapted to the soil and the extreme climate conditions. For more than 40 years, Tempranillo (originally sourced from Rioja) and Chardonnay have thrived,perfectlyadaptedtotheterroirofFincaÉlez.
WINEMAKING
The vinification process involves minimal intervention and manipulation so that "winemaking is never above the vineyard". SimplicityandpurityaresoughtsothatthenaturalcharacteristicsofthegrapesandthePagoFincaÉlezterroirarereflected in the final wine. Through this way of winemaking, Finca Élez aims at a line of wines that reflect authenticity, finesse, freshness,tensionanddelicatestructures;butwithdepthinthemouth.
The estate and winery are château-style. The grapesfrom the surrounding vineyardsonly travel minutes to beprocessed at the winery.
Secreto de LZ, Cencibel, Syrah
Chardonnay Lias
DO Finca Élez
Varieties
100% Chardonnay
Vinification
Fermented in both French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Aged on lees for 6 months with occasional batonage
Good to Know
Grapes from La Vieja parcel
Finca Élez
DO Finca Élez
Varieties
Cencibel, Syrah and Merlot
Vinification
Grapes fermented and aged separately by plot. Wine is blended after aging in French oak barrels
Good to Know
Grapes from La Nueva, La Vieja and El Palomar parcels
PAGO FINCA ÉLEZ
Ctra Ossa de Montiel a El Bonillo Km 11,5
2610 El Bonillo
Albacete
