Juan García

Juan García is a pre-phylloxera variety autochthonous to the villages bordering the Arribes del Duero river canyon on the Spanish-Portuguese border. Wine production in this remote region dates to at least the Middle Ages, with significant expansion during the 19th century. The grape likely survived the phylloxera plague that devastated European vineyards thanks to its high productivity, geographic isolation, and the naturally protective granite soils of the canyon terrain. Despite this resilience, the region experienced near-extinction of the variety in the 20th century. A revival began in 1998 with the formation of a local producer association, culminating in the official approval of DO Arribes in 2007.

• Wine production in Arribes del Duero dates to at least the Middle Ages
• Survived phylloxera through geographic isolation and high productivity
• Producer association formed 1998 to rescue the near-extinct variety
• DO Arribes officially approved 2007

Juan García is grown almost exclusively within DO Arribes, located in the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca in Castilla y León, close to the Spanish-Portuguese border. The appellation sits at elevations of 600-800m and is defined by approximately 90% granite soils interlaced with slate and schist veins. The climate is cool continental, with long cold winters and short hot summers. Vines are typically planted as bush vines on steep terraced slopes, often in mixed vineyards. The grape covers 119 hectares, representing 40% of total vineyard area in Arribes, rising to 65% in some municipalities.

• Grows in Zamora and Salamanca provinces near the Spanish-Portuguese border
• Elevations of 600-800m on steep terraced granite slopes
• Cool continental climate with long cold winters and short hot summers
• Bush vines often grown in mixed vineyards on terraced terrain

Juan García produces medium-sized, elliptical berries with dark blue-black skins that grow in compact bunches. The variety is early ripening with high productivity and notable resistance to frost, making it well suited to the harsh winters of Arribes. However, its thin skins make it sensitive to fungal diseases, particularly botrytis, when planted in fertile soils. The thin skins also mean color is released quickly during winemaking despite the variety's characteristic austere tannin profile. It is traditionally blended with Tempranillo, Bruñal, and Rufete.

• Medium-sized dark blue-black berries in compact bunches
• Early ripening, high productivity, frost resistant
• Sensitive to botrytis in fertile soils due to thin skins
• Traditionally blended with Tempranillo, Bruñal, and Rufete

Juan García produces light- to medium-bodied red wines that are strongly perfumed and immediately distinctive. Moderate acidity and smooth, austere tannins give the wines an approachable structure, while alcohol levels typically sit between 12-13.5% ABV. The aromatic profile spans red wild fruits, mountain flowers, and forest floor, with secondary notes of plums, currants, vanilla, licorice, minerals, and smoke. The thin skins contribute to good color intensity despite the restrained tannic grip, resulting in wines with a delicate yet expressive character that reflects the granite-driven terroir of the canyon landscape.

• Light- to medium-bodied with strong perfume and moderate acidity
• Alcohol 12-13.5% ABV with smooth, austere tannins
• Aromas of red wild fruits, mountain flowers, forest floor, plums, currants, minerals, and smoke
• Thin skins deliver color intensity despite restrained tannin structure