Dominio Aguila
Summary
Dominio del Águila is a boutique Ribera del Duero producer established in the 2010s by Jorge Monzón and Isabel Rodero, crafting primarily Tempranillo-based wines from 30-50 hectares of high-altitude (800-950m) old vineyards around La Aguilera. The estate distinguishes itself through traditional methods including foot-treading, indigenous yeast fermentation, and aging in their 15th-century underground cellar, with Monzón's experience at both Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Vega Sicilia informing their rapid emergence as a benchmark regional producer.
Heritage & Leadership
Dominio del Águila was established in the early 2010s by husband and wife team Jorge Monzón and Isabel Rodero in the Ribera del Duero region of Castilla y León, Spain. The winery is based in La Aguilera, a small village in the province of Burgos, where they focus on traditional winemaking approaches within this prestigious Spanish appellation.
Jorge Monzón brings significant experience to his role as winemaker, having worked at both Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy and Vega Sicilia in Ribera del Duero before founding Dominio del Águila. His technical background at these influential estates informs his winemaking philosophy at his own project. Isabel Rodero serves as co-owner and manages the business operations of the winery, completing the leadership team.
The winery operates from a restored 15th-century underground cellar, which provides natural temperature control for wine production and aging—a traditional feature that aligns with their winemaking approach.
Vineyards & Wines
Dominio del Águila's vineyards are situated in the Ribera del Duero region, primarily surrounding the village of La Aguilera, at elevations of approximately 800-950 meters. A distinguishing characteristic of their vineyard holdings is the prevalence of old vines, many of which are over 60 years old, with some parcels potentially containing vines that date back more than a century.
The estate focuses primarily on Tempranillo (locally known as Tinto Fino), the signature grape variety of Ribera del Duero. Their vineyards also contain traditional field blends that include small percentages of other varieties interspersed among the Tempranillo, such as Garnacha, Bobal, Albillo, and other indigenous varieties—a practice that reflects historical planting patterns in the region.
Their wine portfolio is structured in tiers, with "Picaro" representing their entry-level offering and "Canta La Perdiz" as one of their premium single-vineyard expressions. The estate is estimated to manage between 30-50 hectares of vineyards with an annual production of approximately 30,000-50,000 bottles. Notably, the winery also produces a traditional method sparkling wine, which is relatively uncommon in the Ribera del Duero region.
All wines are produced under the Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen (DO) designation, adhering to the regulatory standards of this appellation.
Philosophy & Practice
Dominio del Águila embraces traditional winemaking techniques that have largely been replaced by modern technology in many Ribera del Duero wineries. Their approach includes foot-treading of grapes and natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts—methods that reflect a commitment to minimal intervention.
For aging their wines, the winery employs French oak barrels of various sizes, with a preference for larger format barrels that impart less oak influence on the wines. This aging approach allows for the expression of fruit and terroir characteristics rather than dominant oak flavors.
The underground cellar dating from the 15th century provides ideal conditions for wine maturation, maintaining consistent temperatures naturally throughout the seasons. This historical infrastructure aligns with their philosophy of combining traditional methods with careful attention to quality.