Torremilanos (Penalba Lopez)
Summary
Bodegas Torremilanos, one of Ribera del Duero's oldest family-owned wineries, cultivates 200 hectares of predominantly Tempranillo vineyards at 800-900 meters elevation, where limestone and clay soils contribute mineral complexity to their diverse portfolio. As the region's first certified biodynamic producer since 2015, they combine traditional methods with sustainable innovation, maintaining an on-site cooperage for precise control over their extensive barrel program while exclusively using indigenous yeasts.
Heritage & Leadership
Bodegas Torremilanos stands as one of the oldest wineries in the Ribera del Duero region, established in 1903 in Aranda de Duero within Spain's Castilla y León. The winery's modern chapter began in 1975 when the Peñalba López family, led by patriarch Vicente Peñalba, acquired the estate. Under their stewardship, Torremilanos has expanded its vineyard holdings and modernized its winemaking facilities while maintaining respect for traditional methods. Today, the second generation continues the family legacy, with Ricardo Peñalba serving as director of operations. The family maintains complete ownership of the estate, allowing them to implement their long-term vision without external pressures. In 2015, Torremilanos reached a significant milestone by completing its transition to certified biodynamic viticulture across all vineyard parcels, becoming the first Ribera del Duero producer to achieve this distinction.
Vineyards & Wines
Torremilanos manages approximately 200 hectares of vineyards spread across multiple parcels in the Ribera del Duero region. These vineyards sit at elevations ranging from 800 to 900 meters above sea level, where the continental climate produces significant diurnal temperature variations that benefit grape development. The estate's vineyards feature predominantly limestone and clay soils with varying proportions of sand and gravel, providing good drainage and mineral complexity. Tempranillo (locally called Tinto Fino) dominates the plantings at 85%, with the remainder divided among Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and small amounts of white varieties including Albillo. The estate maintains several parcels of old vines, with some Tempranillo plantings dating back more than 80 years. These low-yielding vines contribute to the concentration in their premium bottlings, particularly the single-vineyard Los Cantos and Monte Castrillo wines. The winery produces a range of red wines that express different vineyard sites and aging regimens, from fresh, fruit-forward joven styles to complex reservas and gran reservas.
Philosophy & Practice
Torremilanos embraced certified biodynamic farming in 2015, implementing the complete Demeter-certified protocol across all vineyard parcels. This approach eliminates synthetic chemicals in favor of natural preparations and follows the biodynamic calendar for vineyard operations. In the winery, the team employs both traditional and modern techniques, fermenting wines in a combination of concrete tanks, stainless steel, and large wooden vats. Indigenous yeasts are used exclusively for fermentation to express the estate's terroir. The winery maintains an extensive barrel program, using primarily French oak with varying toast levels and ages to match each wine's character. For their premium wines, aging extends from 14 months to over 24 months for gran reserva bottlings. Torremilanos operates its own cooperage on the property, allowing precise control over barrel production and maintenance. Minimal intervention during vinification and aging is a cornerstone philosophy, with light filtration only when necessary and modest sulfur additions. The winery has invested in gravity-flow systems in parts of the production facility to handle grapes and wine gently, preserving fruit integrity throughout the winemaking process.