Pago Dehesa del Carrizal

Dehesa del Carrizal represents the first viticulture project in the Montes de Toledo region. Marcial Gómez Sequeira, a physician, established the estate in 1987 with just 8 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery building, completed in 1999, features distinctive Moorish-style architecture partially built into the mountainside, with gravity barreling and temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. On February 1, 2006, the estate was awarded Vino de Pago status, confirming its place among Spain's most distinguished single-estate designations. The Villar Mir family acquired the property in 2010.

• First viticultural project in the Montes de Toledo, established 1987
• Winery completed 1999 with Moorish-style architecture built into the mountain
• Vino de Pago status granted February 1, 2006
• Acquired by Villar Mir family in 2010; member of Grandes Pagos de España

The estate sits in Retuerta del Bullaque, approximately 65 km southwest of Toledo and 145 km from Madrid, near Cabañeros National Park. Vineyards lie at 800-900 meters above sea level, generating a Mediterranean climate with significant Atlantic influence. Wide diurnal temperature ranges slow ripening dramatically, with harvests extending into November. Annual rainfall averages approximately 700mm, substantially higher than the surrounding La Mancha plain at 300-450mm. North-facing slopes provide natural afternoon shade and altitude-driven temperature inversions that preserve acidity and aromatic complexity.

• Elevation of 800-900 meters drives cool nights and extended growing season
• Mediterranean climate with Atlantic influence; roughly 700mm annual rainfall
• North-facing orientation delivers natural afternoon shade and temperature inversions
• Proximity to Cabañeros National Park reinforces the estate's isolated mountain character

The distinctive terroir of Dehesa del Carrizal stems from 'raña' formations, eroded mountain slope deposits composed of clay and quartzite pebbles. These silica-rich, acidic soils drain exceptionally well and belong to the siliceous Mediterranean mountain classification. The combination of high altitude, acidic substrate, and sharply drained rocky soils is unusual within Castilla-La Mancha and directly supports the slow, harmonious ripening that defines the estate's wine style.

• Raña soils: clay and quartzite pebbles on eroded mountain slope formations
• Silica-rich, acidic, and exceptionally well-draining
• Siliceous Mediterranean mountain classification, rare within Castilla-La Mancha
• Soil structure directly supports low yields and slow, even fruit development

The estate grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, and Chardonnay across its 28 hectares. Cabernet Sauvignon serves as the signature red varietal and consistently ranks among Spain's finest examples of the grape. Blended wines such as Colección Privada combine Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Chardonnay fills the flagship white role. All grapes are grown, produced, and aged within the estate boundaries as required by Vino de Pago regulations. Yields are strictly maintained below 4,000 kg per hectare, producing full-bodied reds with strong acidity and structure.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate signature; ranks among Spain's finest expressions
• Colección Privada blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah
• Chardonnay produces the flagship white wine
• All production must remain within estate boundaries under Vino de Pago rules
• Yields capped below 4,000 kg/hectare for concentrated, structured wines

Vino de Pago is the highest category in Spanish wine law, reserved for single estates of demonstrable international reputation whose terroir is distinct from surrounding appellations. Dehesa del Carrizal holds this status as a Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) and is a member of the Grandes Pagos de España association. It is the only Vino de Pago in the Montes de Toledo and one of just three in Ciudad Real province. This classification mandates that all viticulture, vinification, and aging occur within the estate, guaranteeing absolute traceability from vine to bottle.

• Vino de Pago is Spain's highest wine classification tier
• Operates as a DOP and member of Grandes Pagos de España
• Only Vino de Pago in Montes de Toledo; one of three in Ciudad Real province
• Classification requires full estate production including aging within the property