Autumn has arrived. The light is getting softer and softer. Temperatures are dropping, making the soil less hard, and microbiological activity is increasing. The vines begin to gather in on themselves, beginning their hibernation and taking on the last reserves that will help them to sprout next year. The first leaves begin to fall, taking on brown and reddish colours, and the sap moves towards the roots. The earth begins to inspire. It is time to work it, to open it up and oxygenate it, and to support it with a good biodynamic compost, which only aims to encourage the life of the soil - not to feed the plant, which will have to fight and associate with the rhizomes and micro-organisms, to absorb the elements it needs. The more alive our soils are, the more complexity and identity we will have.
The 2020 harvest is now behind us. A very special vintage, in this singular year, socioeconomically with the COVID, and atmospherically, with a beautiful spring, with radiant skies, almost aware of the absence of aeroplanes and pollution, and a very hot summer, of levantes. We had very high temperatures in June, an unrelenting July with hot winds, and an August with mild temperatures and thermal shocks, which led to the grape harvest being extended to the end of August.
The time of harvest is essential in our search for a balanced and optimal ripening, which brings out the best in the Palomino grape. Our position close to the coast in Sanlúcar and in the Pago Miraflores, and the west orientation, helps us to find that point of ripening, without raising the alcoholic content too much. Our biodynamic work with silica preparations helps the vines to finish their ripening cycle.
Production has been very small, almost half that of 2018. We think the quality is very good, and that it will be a very unique vintage. In addition, this 2020 will be the fourth year of transition, and if all goes well, it could be our first vintage with organic certification.
