There are many ways to make wine, but only one method can transcend time, allowing the soil, vineyard, and grape to take center stage. The aging system of Criaderas and Soleras has this unique ability.
Aging is undoubtedly one of the most critical factors in determining a wine’s quality. When done correctly, it enhances the wine’s organoleptic properties, resulting in greater complexity and character in the final product. From an enological perspective, there are two main types of aging: oxidative, which takes place in the presence of oxygen, and biological, which occurs in its absence. A third type combines both methods to produce highly specific wines, such as amontillados and palo cortados.
Another way to classify aging depends on the wine’s movement during its time in the barrel. Static aging keeps wine from a single vintage in the same barrel for a period defined by the winemaker. In contrast, the Criaderas and Solera system is dynamic, blending wines of different ages to maintain consistent characteristics over decades. This method ensures the wine reflects the contributions of every harvest since the creation of its solera system.
This system organizes barrels (or “botas” for sherry wines) into tiers, each representing a specific stage of aging. The bottled wine is drawn, or “saca,” from the bottom tier closest to the floor, known as the solera. The wine removed is replaced with wine from the first criadera (the next tier up), in a process called “rocío” (refilling). This process is repeated upward, with the youngest wine introduced at the top tier, where the base wine or freshly fermented wine is added.
In essence, each year, a portion of wine is taken from the oldest barrels (the solera) and replaced with younger wine, allowing the old wine to “teach” the young. The final product is a blend of wines from every harvest, each with its unique traits and history. This blending creates a wine with a singular personality, requiring meticulous care during production.
Although not thoroughly documented, the Criaderas and Solera system is believed to have originated in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the late 18th century. It was later adopted throughout the Jerez region, becoming a hallmark of traditional Andalusian wines. As the only aging method with Spanish origins, it is considered a part of the country’s national heritage.
This method, rarely seen in dry red wine production, is an ancient artisanal practice traditionally reserved for southern Spanish winemakers. To date, as far as we know, no other dry red wine is made using this method except for our wine, El Retablo. We began producing it in 2009 at PradoRey.
El Retablo is a unique wine aged in Criaderas and Soleras, with its solera system starting in 2009. Unlike wines influenced by the nuances of a single vintage, it embodies the terroir’s essence over time. Known as “the inaccessible” for its exclusivity and uniqueness, only a select few can savor the mystery revealed in the roughly 500 bottles produced annually. Crafted entirely by hand, extreme care is given to the grapes so that each vintage contributes its wisdom to this timeless wine.
This extraordinary 100% Tempranillo owes its name to the beautiful 16th-century Baroque altarpiece that adorns the chapel altar of the winery’s church. This masterpiece, depicting the life and miracles of Saint Andrew, was carved by the artist known as the Master of Ventosilla. The delicacy and talent of the artist inspired our winemaker to craft a wine as mysterious and captivating as the fortified wines of Jerez.
Just as the altarpiece’s panels illustrate key moments in Saint Andrew’s life, El Retablo tells a story through wine. Each bottle represents a journey through the diverse experiences of our winery, blending vintages that are enologically distinct yet harmonized to create a profound whole. It’s fascinating how, in both cases, wood serves as the unifying element—capturing the life of a saint in the altarpiece and the life of a winery through its wine. Both are materials that have preserved a part of history.
Like a work of art, El Retablo is a wine that cannot be reproduced.
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Carretera CL-619 km 66.1 Gumielde Mercado (Burgos) Espana
Carretera CL-619 km 64 Gumielde Mercado (Burgos) Espana
