Sierra de Toloño
Rioja DOCa Rosado
Region: Rioja Alavesa
Appellation: Rioja DOCa
Varietal/Blend: Tempranillo & Garnacha
ABV: 13.0%
Vineyard & Vine Age: Sandra farms her own vines all by hand, biodynamically, and harvest is also by hand (into 15kg crates to prevent crushing). These vineyards are located at a soaring 700m above sea level in the eponymous mountains of Sierra de Toloño, composed of roughly 60/40 Tempranillo & Garnacha, and are some of the latest to be harvested and giving the most freshness of her sites.
Cellar: The fruit is partially direct pressed and partially destemmed and macerated briefly, then fermented and aged on the lees in old French oak barrels for a few months before bottling. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast. 13%. 6,000 bottles produced.
CSPC: 129795
Winemakers Note: Savoury and well balanced, with notes of roses and raspberry fruit. Minerality, crisp acidity and sweet touch.
What the Critics are saying: “I started making this wine during Covid when I had lots of time.” It’s from the coolest plot she has (where some grapes were still green even in November), with some bits skin contact and others direct pressed. Full pink/red in colour, this has lovely cherry and raspberry fruit but also nice structure and freshness. There’s a purity here with some smoky, spicy, grainy character adding interest. Nice grip on the finish. — 93/100, WineAnorak, Dr. Jamie Goode, March 12 2024
The 2023 Rosado has a bright pink-orangey color and a spicy nose beyond the complexity of a saignée rosé, spicy and round […on] lees for only three months, as her initial thought was to make a light red. It's Tempranillo and Garnacha and has a serious palate, with some austerity and a chalky mouthfeel. It has good ripeness and freshness, 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.3, vibrant, balanced and tasty. It was bottled in February 2024. — 91/100, Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, February 27 2025
Region: Rioja Alavesa
Appellation: Rioja DOCa
TECHNICAL INFO
Varietal/Blend: Tempranillo & Garnacha
ABV: 13.0%
Vineyard: Sandra farms her own vines all by hand, biodynamically, and harvest is also by hand (into 15kg crates to prevent crushing). These vineyards are located at a soaring 700m above sea level in the eponymous mountains of Sierra de Toloño, composed of roughly 60/40 Tempranillo & Garnacha, and are some of the latest to be harvested and giving the most freshness of her sites.
Cellar: The fruit is partially direct pressed and partially destemmed and macerated briefly, then fermented and aged on the lees in old French oak barrels for a few months before bottling. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast. 13%. 6,000 bottles produced.
CSPC: 129795
Winemakers Note: Savoury and well balanced, with notes of roses and raspberry fruit. Minerality, crisp acidity and sweet touch.
What the Critics are saying: “I started making this wine during Covid when I had lots of time.” It’s from the coolest plot she has (where some grapes were still green even in November), with some bits skin contact and others direct pressed. Full pink/red in colour, this has lovely cherry and raspberry fruit but also nice structure and freshness. There’s a purity here with some smoky, spicy, grainy character adding interest. Nice grip on the finish. — 93/100, WineAnorak, Dr. Jamie Goode, March 12 2024
The 2023 Rosado has a bright pink-orangey color and a spicy nose beyond the complexity of a saignée rosé, spicy and round […on] lees for only three months, as her initial thought was to make a light red. It's Tempranillo and Garnacha and has a serious palate, with some austerity and a chalky mouthfeel. It has good ripeness and freshness, 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.3, vibrant, balanced and tasty. It was bottled in February 2024. — 91/100, Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, February 27 2025
Giovanni Autuori
Calgary + Alberta South
T: 403-971-1898
E: giovanni@vinoalvino.ca
Joe Gurba
Edmonton + Alberta North
T: 780-203-5284
E: joeg@vinoalvino.ca