When we face challenges, we become stronger, more resilient, and, in many cases, wiser. It is during times of hardship that we uncover our true capabilities and learn to overcome obstacles. This process of struggle, of finding solutions amidst adversity, allows us to grow and refine ourselves. Just as in nature, where the most challenging elements, such as poor soil or extreme climate, compel plants to adapt and thrive. In viticulture, a miserly soil is one with a calcareous character, where fertility is limited and nutrient absorption is regulated. At first glance, it may seem inhospitable for plants, but in reality, this "scarcity" creates a strong, resilient vine capable of giving its best.
A clear example of this is Altún La Cicatera. This wine comes from a plot of garnacha situated at an altitude of 500 metres in Baños de Ebro, in Rioja (Spain), cultivated in miserly soil, hence the wine's name, composed of limestone, gravel, and clay that teaches the vine to strive for what it needs. Once the grape reaches its optimal ripeness, it is harvested manually in 11 kg boxes and taken directly to the winery. There, fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, respecting the terroir's identity. Afterwards, malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously in French oak barrels, and the wine spends 14 months in vats and French oak barrels, followed by a rest in concrete to achieve impressive complexity.
Altún La Cicatera embodies all that a miserly soil can offer: freshness, character, and a unique personality. A clear example that sometimes, when the land does not give everything easily, is when the vine gives its best.