Abadia Retuerta
Summary
Abadia Retuerta is a historic Spanish wine estate in Sardón de Duero with 210 hectares of high-elevation vineyards primarily dedicated to Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah grown in continental climate conditions with varied soil compositions. Operating outside Spain's DO system, the estate combines monastic heritage with modern winemaking techniques, employing a terroir-driven approach that separately vinifies 54 distinct vineyard plots to create both blended and single-vineyard pago expressions.
Heritage & Leadership
Abadia Retuerta's history begins in 1146 when the Santa María de Retuerta monastery was established by the Premonstratensian Order in the Duero Valley. The estate's modern chapter commenced in 1988 when the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis acquired the property and initiated a comprehensive restoration project. The winery officially launched its first commercial vintage in 1996, marking its entry into Spain's fine wine landscape.
The estate operates under the leadership of CEO Enrique Valero, who has guided Abadia Retuerta's development since 2009. Pascal Delbeck, formerly of Château Ausone, served as the initial winemaking consultant who helped establish the estate's winemaking philosophy. Today, the winemaking team is led by Technical Director Ángel Anocíbar, who joined in 2000. The estate functions outside Spain's Denominación de Origen (DO) system, allowing greater flexibility in vineyard practices and wine production while maintaining its location in Sardón de Duero, adjacent to the prestigious Ribera del Duero region.
In 2012, Abadia Retuerta expanded its vision by transforming the 12th-century monastery into LeDomaine, a luxury hotel and culinary destination that has garnered international recognition, including Relais & Châteaux status.
Vineyards & Wines
Abadia Retuerta's 210 hectares of vineyards stretch along the northern banks of the Duero River at elevations ranging from 720 to 850 meters above sea level. The estate's terroir features a continental climate with significant diurnal temperature variations that contribute to the development of complex aromatics while maintaining acidity in the grapes.
The vineyard is divided into 54 distinct plots based on soil composition, which varies from gravelly terraces to sandy plots and limestone-rich areas. Tempranillo (known locally as Tinto Fino) comprises approximately 70% of plantings, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and small amounts of Petit Verdot completing the red varieties. White varieties include Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo.
Abadia Retuerta's wine portfolio is built around the concept of "pagos" or single vineyards. Their flagship wine, Selección Especial, blends the best plots from each vintage. The single-vineyard expressions include Pago Negralada (100% Tempranillo from limestone soils), Pago Valdebellón (100% Cabernet Sauvignon from gravelly terrain), and Pago Garduña (100% Syrah). The estate also produces Blanco LeDomaine from Sauvignon Blanc and the limited-production PV (Petit Verdot).
Philosophy & Practice
Abadia Retuerta employs a terroir-driven approach centered on their pago system, which allows each vineyard block to express its distinct characteristics. Harvest is conducted manually in small crates with careful selection in the vineyard and again at sorting tables in the winery.
The winemaking facility combines traditional methods with modern technology, featuring gravity-flow processes to minimize mechanical intervention. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with each vineyard plot vinified separately. The estate utilizes both French and American oak barrels for aging, with periods ranging from 12 months for Selección Especial to 24 months for the single-vineyard wines.
Abadia Retuerta implements sustainable viticulture practices, including water conservation through drip irrigation, cover crops to promote biodiversity, and integrated pest management. The estate maintains detailed climate monitoring stations throughout the vineyard to inform precision viticulture decisions.
The winery's philosophy extends beyond wine production to encompass the entire estate experience, integrating viticulture, hospitality, and cultural heritage preservation. This holistic approach has positioned Abadia Retuerta as a significant contributor to Spain's fine wine landscape while honoring the property's historical legacy.