El
Pozo
El Pozo is a boutique parcel nestled between the historic sites of La Rad and Hoyo Judío. Perched at an altitude of approximately 650 meters, it sits in the very heart of Quel’s most authentic landscape. The soil is lean and light, primarily composed of sands with a minimal clay presence, punctuated by alluvial river stones—silent witnesses to the ancient watercourses that once carved this terrain.
In this high-elevation environment, Graciano finds its sanctuary. This delicate and demanding variety only unveils its true majesty when pushed by the vineyard’s challenges. El Pozo represents one of Queirón’s most ambitious endeavors: a commitment to crafting wines with a long, profound, and unctuous profile. These wines are designed to translate the soul of Rioja Oriental with absolute purity—capturing its Mediterranean light, extreme climate, and the distinct mineral identity of its soils.
The mission of this site is to capture the most pristine expression of the Graciano grape within the singular microclimate of Quel, contributing structure, natural acidity, and a refined high-altitude character to the Queirón portfolio.
The search
for the sharpest definition
of graciano
Between the landscapes of La Rad and Hoyo Judío, on the high slopes guarding the village of Quel, lies a small, one-hectare vineyard known as El Pozo. The site feels chosen for its serenity—for the golden mid-afternoon light that bathes the ravines and the way the winds from Mount Yerga cleanse the air and temper the horizon. Here, at an altitude of 650 meters, the landscape becomes rugged and essential, as if the earth has stripped away all ornament to focus solely on what matters: the root, the stone, and the vine.
El Pozo was planted exclusively with Graciano, a demanding, late-ripening variety that requires both patience and precision. It is a grape that refuses to adapt to just any soil or climate; it craves space, aeration, and time. This is precisely what it finds in this lean, sandy-loam soil, composed of over 50% sand with traces of silt and a mere handful of clay. These are harsh lands, low in organic matter and strewn with alluvial pebbles that whisper of ancient riverbeds. Yet, this scarcity is a virtue: it compels the vine to seek depth and balance, translating the mineral essence of the terrain into every cluster.
The vineyard is trellised (espaldera) with a 2.90 × 1.10-meter planting density, meticulously designed to ensure cluster aeration and homogenous ripening. The slopes—gentle yet constant and south-facing—soak in generous sunlight by day, while the mountain’s chill descends at dusk. The Cierzo wind blows frequently, drying the dew and maintaining exemplary phytosanitary health.
The result of this equilibrium is a high-altitude Graciano: firm, vibrant, and elegant. Its natural acidity bolsters the wine and extends its longevity, while its dense, fine-grained tannins provide the structural backbone for the fruit. This vineyard provides an essential component for the Queirón de Gabriel wine, where it joins the Tempranillo from La Pasada to form the heart of the assemblage: combining the depth of Graciano with the plenitude of Tempranillo.
El Pozo is more than just a vineyard; it is a symbol of Queirón’s vocation for exploring the limits of the territory. It represents a faith in minority varieties, the reclamation of altitude as a value, and the philosophy that wine is, above all, an expression of the landscape. Here, Graciano finds its voice, and the land—dry, luminous, shaped by wind and sand—speaks with a poised and precise tongue.
Quel
Long maduration
in a poor soil
Technical data
660 m.
Graciano
0,9 Ha.
Trellis
2017
2.90 x 1.10 m.
Sandy loam
31.6% Loam, 57.1% Sand, 11.3% Clay
Ensayos Capitales
2018
Challenging the limits
other
vineyards
of Queirón
///viñedo singular ///garnacha
El Arca
A three-century-old terroir
///viñedo de Quel ///tempranillo
La Pasada
A vineyard between three climates
///viñedo de Quel ///graciano
El Pozo
Graciano's expression
///viñedo de Quel ///garnacha
El Poeta
Garnacha vines in avery poor soil
///viñedo de Quel ///garnacha
La Perdida
Low, old, silent
///viñedo de Quel ///garnacha
La Bartola
Heavenly and brave
///viñedo de Quel ///tempranillo
Los Palos de Tanis
Verticality and elegance
///viñedo de Quel ///tempranillo
Hoyo Judío
The viticulture of an alchemist