La
Perdida
La Perdida (The Lost One) owes its name to its elusive nature, tucked away within a labyrinth of paths and trails that eventually lead to a “yasa.” In this corner of Rioja Oriental, a yasa is the memory of an ancient riverbed—one that only knows water during unexpected storms or on those rare occasions when the mother stream overflows. The yasa is a scar upon the land, a ravine carved into banks of earth and silt. It is on this very edge that La Perdida emerges: an evocative and stirring vineyard.
Reaching La Perdida is a small adventure in itself; it appears suddenly and serene, as if slumbering in solitude, just when you believe you have taken a wrong turn. We are standing before a succinct, narrow plot of barely two hectares, divided into terraces with a striking gradient—a fifteen-meter elevation gain from the lowest point to the head of the terroir.
Here, the Garnacha vines are low-slung, ancient, silent, and seemingly immovable. These vines have been yoked to their deep roots for decades, transforming them into living sculptures—anchored to the terrain with an ambition for eternity.
Low,
old,
silent garnachas
Situated along the path of an ancient Cañada Real—a historic livestock route once linking Soria to Quel—lies La Perdida. This boutique plot of 0.67 hectares is perched at an altitude of 620 meters. Planted in 1993, the vineyard is dedicated to Garnacha and is cultivated using the traditional goblet system (en vaso), a method that allows the vines to develop with natural harmony and balance.
The soil of La Perdida is lean and stony, primarily composed of sands and pebbles, with deeper strata of clay. This profile compels the root systems to dive deep in search of nutrients and water, directly contributing to the concentration and varietal expression of the fruit. Viticulture here is strictly dry-farmed (secano), without supplemental irrigation, reinforcing the wine’s identity and its profound link to the environment.
The vineyard’s position, exposed to the Solano wind, ensures intense solar exposure and a notable diurnal temperature range. These thermal contrasts are vital for preserving the grape’s natural acidity and heightening the aromatic complexity of the Garnacha.
La Perdida expresses itself with elegance and subtlety, yielding wines of immense freshness and finesse, characterized by velvety tannins and a balanced acidity that grants them remarkable longevity. It stands as a benchmark for traditional viticulture in Rioja Oriental, seeking the ultimate expression of terroir through environmentally respectful practices and a minimal intervention philosophy.
Quel
Unattainable
exposure
to the solano wind
Technical data
Mi Lugar
2019
The allegory of Quel
other
vineyards
of Queirón
///viñedo singular ///garnacha
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La Perdida
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///viñedo de Quel ///garnacha
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