Protos
Our history
1927 - Origin
Our mission since 1927, has been to be faithful to our claim «BEING FIRST», as an attitude of constant improvement with the sole aim of elaborating the best wine.
These visionaries knew the importance of listening to the “terroir” and understand its needs, imagining a succesful endeavor, that has not only been kept intact, but continues to grow, always looking at the future.
1929 - A Legend Is Born
Our beginnings are important, because the pillars on which they were built, have to lead the way: Quality as our maximum priority and our Brand as a sustainable competitive edge. Proof of this importance comes since our first vintages (1927 & 1928), that won Gold Medals at the Universal Exposition of Barcelona in 1929.
1970 - Expansion
Construction of an aging winery at the heart of the mountain that holds the Peñafiel Castle, to age our barrels in over 2kms of underground tunnels. Giving Protos its distinct taste and success.
1982 - Ribera Del Duero
Protos authorizes the use of its brand «Ribera Duero», for the founding of the Appellation.
1986 - Expansion
A winery is built in Anguix (Burgos), surrounded by old vineyards of high quality. Therefore, allowing shorter commute time from the vineyard to this winery.
2006 - Rueda Appellation
Bodegas Protos builds a winery in Rueda for the elaboration of our Protos Verdejo, at the heart of Spain’s most important white wine appelation.
2008 - New Winery
Protos, true to its roots and keeping up with an ever evolving industry, builds a new state of the art winery in Peñafiel. This magnificent installation was designed by the prestigious architectural firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (led by genious architect, Richard Rogers, Priztker award in architecture, 2007) in colaboration with Alonso Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociados. Blending together the know how of our long history with the new technologies that help us continue to make better and more sustainable wines.
2017 - 90th Anniversary
Celebration of Protos’ 90th Anniversary, honoring the spirit of the founding pioneers and toasting to many more anniversaries.
2019 - Protos Verdejo (Best Young Wine In Spain)
Protos Verdejo is chosen «Best young wine in Spain» by the Gourmet Guide – Wines.
2020 - D.O. Cigales
Protos lands in the Cigales Denomination of Origin.
Ribera del Duero Vineyards
1,400 ha - Vineyards
Our technical team, compounded by oenologists and agricultural engineers, keep strict control of our vineyards, always looking for the best quality in our grapes for the elaboration of our wines. This is no easy task, since we control 1,400 hectares throughout the Ribera del Duero, expanding through Valladolid, Burgos and Segovia provinces.
Soils
Within our vineyards, we have a diversity of soils that run across the Duero river. In general, they are loose, poor in organic matter and predominantly limestone. Most of the time they are franc and/or sandy franc in texture.
Orientation
Most of our vineyards sit on south facing hills, giving them optimal sunlight for maturation.
Altitude
Situated on badlands, within 900mts a.s.l. and in valleys, with an altitude between 750 and 800 mts a.s.l.
Controls
Protos lands in the Cigales Denomination of Origin.
Grape
Our wines are 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo).
Planted in trellis (60%) and bush (40%).
Manual Harves
Vineyards are subdivided by optimal date of harvesting to make sure they will be recollected at the precise time of maturation.
All our harvest is done manually, using 20kg crates.
Once the fruit arrives at the winery, it is manually selected in our selection tables. We do double selection, first by bunch and then by grape.
Climate
Rainfall
Very low rainfall, with an average of 450mm per year.
Summer
Dry and very warm summers, with temperatures of over 35ºC.
Winter
Very long and cold winter with night frost. Temperatures plummet to -18 ºC.
Day/Night Occilation
Thermal occilations favor a slow and gradual maturation of the fruit, giving it good sugar content and higher concentration of tannins, polyphenols and color of wine.
Sunlight Exposure
Continental climate with mediterranean influence with more than 2400 hours of sunlight per year.
Climate Influence
This climate has a great influence on our vineyards, specially in the vegetative cycle. It is key in the development of the vine and fruit maturation, which gives its particular characteristic of the Tempranillo.
Rueda vineyards
La Seca-Rueda Serrada
In these flatlands, our vineyards are at 700 to 800mts a.s.l. With cold winters and short springs, and very hot and dry summers. This extreme weather, forces the grape to look further into the subsoil for nourishment.
Because of its latitude location, it possesses a Mediterranean climate with continental influence.
We have 177 hectares, where we collect 7.500kg of grape per hectare, for best quality.
Rueda Appelletion
Gravelly Soils
This gravelly soil is one of the most differentiating qualities of the Rueda appellation. Stony and gravelly soils with good aeration that keeps humidity.
Grape
All our wines from the Rueda appellation are 100% Verdejo.
Protos terroir
Legacy Transmitted Through Time
Origin and tradition
The year was 1927. Eleven childhood friends—all grown up now, and in different professions—came together to celebrate their families’ viticultural roots and their love for their village, Peñafiel. They had a dream, not just to make good quality wines, but also to highlight the importance of a forgotten wine region with an illustrious heritage. Together they would change the history of this region, introducing us to everything from rustic wines for personal consumption to a now world-renowned Spanish appellation, Ribera del Duero.
Today, more than 250 families are part of this community, bound together by the same original goal of making exceptional wines in an exceptional region. Many 3rd generation scions continue to work these lands with the same passion and commitment of their ancestors. Today, they benefit from knowledge inherited from generation to generation as well as extensive research conducted by Protos at each and every vineyard.
This community also includes 300 viticulturists, 8 agricultural engineers that care for our parcels throughout the year, and a team of 8 oenologists—led by Marilena Bonilla, one of the few women technical directors in the entire Ribera del Duero—all dedicated to the constant betterment of our wines and their reach into the homes of wine-lovers all over the world.
It is in this pioneering spirit that Protos continues to evolve, adapting our wines with the utmost respect to the land and remaining at the forefront of natural, quality wines made in Spain.
For the last 10 years, Protos has been studying each and every plot of land it owns, observing how Tempranillo clones adapt and change in each location and helping vineyards develop their potential. Our findings led us to divide and subdivide all our vineyards, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the vine and thus determine with greater accuracy the optimal time to harvest our grapes for a perfect expression of each particular terroir.
At Protos, we keep an exacting eye on all our vineyards (1.400ha!) throughout the year, monitoring ripeness levels and collecting/analyzing 200 samples a day to pinpoint the optimal moment to harvest each individual parcel.
The Golden Mile
Peñafiel - Pesquera - Valbuena
Location
The most famous area of Ribera del Duero is located in the Valladolid province, where the Duero River is surrounded by slopes that are predominantly northwest/southeast.
Soil And Climate
Most of our parcels have loam-clay-sandy soils, with poor organic matter. The climate here is moderate in the most oriental areas, with slighly warmer summers and less rainfall.
Anguix
La Horra - Roa - Quintanamanvirgo
Location
In the Burgos region of Ribera del Duero, is where the oldest vineyards are located, vineyards with over 50 years and even century old plots. They are very small plots in marginal areas that are not interesting for planting other crops. This and the reason that they have been in the same families for generations is the reason they have survived so long.
Finca El Grajo Viejo
It is in this area that the «Finca El Grajo Viejo» (old rook vineyard) is situated. It is strategically situated at the foot of the Manvirgo hill between Anguix & Roa, with an altitude of 815 mts and south facing.
Soil And Climate
The soil is a mixture of loam-clay-sand, with poor organic matter. With also limestone and silt, and a subsoil of calcareous remains that give an accentuated minerality to the grape from this vineyard. This vineyard has a unique terroir that we have studied for many years; where the Tinto Fino grape reaches highly concentrated polyphenols and colors. Giving this wine an amazing complexity and expressiveness.
Mantaining Our Protos Character
Today, Protos is all about making the most of each terroir’s characteristics, using the most natural, respectful processes available.
Our rosés & whites come from different areas and microclimates where grape selection and variety authenticity guide the expert hands of our viticulturists.
Protos reds, produced by our inspired enologists, embody on one hand, the purest, freshest character of the famous Tempranillo fruit and —thanks to perfect ageing and blending techniques— the highest expression of «Tinto Fino» complexity.
A high degree of grape sorting and selection of the finest terroirs—still worked by the best of our founder families—are the key elements of an authentic vintage signature.
Protos Roble
Protos Roble, a red wine that embodies all the character of the Tempranillo grape.
Grape Variety
Tinta del país 100%.
Vineyards
Coupage of different parcels from Burgos and Valladolid vineyards. Planted 25 years ago.
Aging
6 months in french and american barrels. 6 months in bottle.
Features
Manual harvest. Cold skin contact maceration and controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats.
Serving temperature
15-16 °C.
Aging
Bright cherry color with purple rim.
Nose
Frank and intense, where aromas of red and black fruit stand out, accompanied by spicy and light toasted notes.
Mouth
It has good structure, fruity, fresh, with a sweet, balanced oak and with very pleasant soft tannins.
Food Pairing
Tomato based dishes, such as pasta pomodoro, puttanesca, stuffed eggplant, etc. Chistorra, salami, cheese.
Protos Reserva
Protos Reserva is an elegant wine, complex and with a strong character that will definitely leave a mark on anyone that tastes it.
Grape Variety
100% Tinta del País.
Vineyards
South facing vineyards in the Burgos Province. Planted more than 50 years ago.
Features
Manual harvest. Cold skin contact maceration and controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats for 21 days with daily battonage.
Aging
18 months in french and american barrels. 50% new french oak barrels, 30% one year old french, 20% one year old american oak barrels. 24 months in bottle.
Serving temperature
17-18º.
Color
Dark cherry color with garnet rim.
Nose
Intense nose of black fruit, licorice, light toasted, vanilla, spices, mineral and balsamic notes.
Mouth
Good acidity, with great balance of fruit & oak. Persistent and harmonious finish.
Food Pairing
Smoked fish, red meat, truffle dishes.
Protos Gran Reserva
Protos Gran Reserva, a wonderful wine, easy to drink, with a fruit note both in the nose and mouth, with very complex aromatique nuances.
Grape Variety
100% Tinta del País.
Vineyards
Small parcels (0,3ha) with very old vines. Planted over 60 years ago.
Features
Manual harvest. Controlled fermentationin stainless steel vats. Maceration for 3-4 weeks with daily battonage.
Aging
24 months in french (80%) and american (20%) barrels, mostly new. 36 months in bottle.
Serving temperature
17-18º.
Color
Dark cherry color with garnet rim.
Nose
Expressive and complex. The terciary aromas evoke a big range of smells that reminds us of jam, cocoa, tobacco, mineral notes with slightly smoky notes.
Mouth
Round tannins with long finish. Good aging potential.
Food Pairing
Porter House beef, Rib Eye, Lamb Chops, Wellington Beef.
Finca El Grajo Viejo
Selección El Grajo Viejo (single vineyard) is Protos’ most exclusive wine. A pure expression of its terroir.
Grape Variety
100% Tinta del País.
Vineyard
Single Vineyard. Planted 70 years ago.
Features
Manual harvest. Alcoholic fermentation & maceration in 500lts french fûtes at controlled temperature. Long maceration of 3-4 weeks. Malolactic fermentation in new french barrels.
Aging
18 months in new french barrels. 12 months in bottle.
Serving temperature
16-17º.
Color
Deep cherry color with purple hues.
Nose
Elegant wine, with a good aromatic range and great complexity. Aromatic bouquet of excellent mature black fruit, spicy notes, balsamic, toasted and mineral notes.
Mouth
Tasty, broad, powerful, but with fine and elegant tannins, with the acidity of vines grown in very poor land. Long, pleasant and persistent finish. It will have a long life because of its structured tannins and noble-acidity.
Food Pairing
Roasted pork, red meat, chorizos, fois gras, mature cheeses.
Protos'27
Protos’27 in a homage to those 11 visionaries that founded Protos in 1927. It is a wine where the years of better vineyard techniques and winery research blend together to form a beautiful orchestra of wood and fruit that embodies not only our history but our wishful look towards the future.
Grape Variety
100% Tinta del País.
Vineyards
Old Vineyards from Burgos Province. Planted over 50 years ago.
Features
Manual harvest. Pre fermentative cold maceration. Alcoholic fermentation with selected indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats . Maceration for 20 days with several daily battonage.
Aging
16 months in new french barrels where fermentation took place. 12 months in bottle.
Serving temperature
17-18º.
Color
Intense cherry red color, with violet hues resulting in a very vivid and bright wine.
Nose
Elegant, with fresh and original aromas of ripe black fruits, sweet spices and fine toasted notes.
Mouth
Very balanced and easy to drink wine, with round tannins and a long and very pleasant finish.
Food Pairing
BBQ, lamb, stews and even seafood with strong sauces.
Protos Verdejo
Its perfect blend of tropical fruits and verdejo grape’s typical acidity, makes this young wine, one of consumers` most loved wines.
Grape Variety
100% Verdejo.
Vineyards
Planted more than 15 years ago. Dry land with gravelly soils.
Features
Mechanical night harvest. Cold maceration of 4/5 hours. Aging on fine lees for approximately 3 months, depending on daily tastings.
Serving temperature
6-7º.
Color
Bright yellow straw color, with green hints that reflect its youth.
Nose
Aromas of tropical fruits (pineapple) and citrus fruits first appear along with white fruits (apple) and herbs, such as boxwood and fennel.
Mouth
Dry with an amazing balance of freshness and acidity. Good structure and body given by its fine lees’ aging. Long finish with a slightly bitter palate, typical of the variety.
Food Pairing
White fish, tuna, sushi, seafood rice, paella & pasta.