Bodega Aalto – The modern excellence of Ribera del Duero

Founded in 1999 by Mariano García — the legendary former winemaker of Vega Sicilia for thirty years — and Javier Zaccagnini, Bodega Aalto has become, in just two decades, one of the most prestigious and forward-thinking estates of the Ribera del Duero. From its inception, the project aimed to craft a great Spanish wine able to rival the world’s finest, while staying true to the identity of Tempranillo, the region’s noble grape.

The founders’ vision was clear: unite old vines, high-altitude terroirs, low yields, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality at every stage of production. A major figure in Spanish winemaking, Mariano García developed a philosophy defined by precision, elegance, and authentic terroir expression.

The duo selected the finest vineyards from the most prestigious villages of Ribera del Duero to showcase the diversity and depth of this remarkable appellation.

The vineyards of Bodega Aalto cover approximately 130 hectares spread across Quintanilla de Arriba, La Horra, Anguix, La Aguilera and Baños de Valdearados. The vines, aged between 40 and over 90 years, are dry-farmed and rooted in clay-limestone and gravelly soils at altitudes ranging from 750 to 950 meters.

These demanding conditions, coupled with a harsh continental climate, ensure slow ripening and exceptional aromatic concentration. Manual harvesting and rigorous grape selection guarantee impeccable fruit quality from the outset.

Each parcel is vinified separately to highlight its distinctive character. Long macerations allow gentle extraction, while fermentations take place in stainless steel and concrete tanks. Ageing lasts between 16 and 20 months in new French and American oak barrels.

The wines are neither fined nor filtered, preserving the natural texture and richness of the Tempranillo grape. This approach combines modern precision with traditional craftsmanship, yielding wines of great purity and definition.

• Aalto — A blend of old-vine Tempranillo showing density, elegance, and freshness. The estate’s hallmark wine, both rich and refined, with a distinctive signature style.
• Aalto PS (Pagos Seleccionados) — A rare cuvée from the finest old-vine parcels: powerful, profound, and built for ageing. A model of complexity and balance.
• Aalto Blanco de Parcela — A limited white wine introduced in 2021, crafted from Verdejo grown on limestone soils. Taut, saline, and elegant — a new chapter in the estate’s history.

The wines of Bodega Aalto combine the sun-drenched power of Tempranillo with exceptional aromatic purity. They are distinguished by their silky texture, precise structure, and perfectly integrated oak, offering a style that is both contemporary and timeless.

Regularly praised by international critics — including Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator — Aalto and Aalto PS rank among the most sought-after wines of Ribera del Duero, alongside Vega Sicilia, Pingus, and Emilio Moro, yet in a more modern, pure, and accessible register.

Combining technical vision, ancient vines, and uncompromising precision, Bodega Aalto embodies the high-end renaissance of Ribera del Duero. Under the guidance of Mariano García, its wines unite the nobility of Tempranillo with the finesse of masterful ageing, delivering profound, elegant, and powerful expressions — among Spain’s greatest red wines.