Vega-Sicilia is seen as one of Spain's most aristocractic and traditional estates The first grower to discover this viticultural secret was Don Eloy Lecanda Chaves, who owned a small estate near the town of Valbuena. He came back from Bordeaux in 1864, armed with oak casks, French grape varieties, and…

This is a substantial estate, producing around 300,000 bottles depending on vintage. Alion was the first 100% Tinta Fino (Tempranillo) wine aged in 100% new French oak in Ribera del Duero, so it was seen as revolutionary, especially coming from such a traditional bodega as Vega-Sicilia.

In 1995 and 1996 the Vega Family started to think of a new winery and in the locations in Spain where it could be set up. Castilla y León has a large river, the Duero, which is where their two existing wineries, Vega Sicilia and Alion are located, and it…