Winemaker Notes
Molino Real is a partnership between Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza with local growers to recreate the "mountain wines" that made Malaga and Andalusia famous throughout the world. Moscatel bush vines are planted at over 500m elevation, with southeastern exposure on shallow slate soils with low water retention. The facings are steep, extreme, and as such all vineyard work is done manually. The grapes for the sweet wines are dried on canas, reed, mats in the sun. The grapes undergo two different selections: one during the harvest, which is done by hand, andanother after the drying, meaning that only the very best grapes are left to be pressed. The result is rich, long-lived, sweet wines that honor the tradition and history of the "mountain wines" of Malaga.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
Sierras de Málaga, established as a DO in 2001, is located in the south of Spain, in Andalucía. Interestingly, the vines in this region are planted on slopes reaching up to 3,280 ft in elevation, primarily in the non-coastal subzones such as Axarquía, Montes de Málaga, Norte and the Sierra de Ronda, although moisture coming from the Mediterranean still reaches the vines.
In this region, a wide range of grapes may be used for the production of white, rosé, and red wines. Young and inquisitive winemakers are producing more compelling wines from local grapes like Romé and Tintilla de Rota, while at the same time offering their interpretation of international grapes like Riesling, Viognier, and Pinot Noir.
Today, the Sierras de Málaga DO is enjoying a slight revival as its dessert wines are being rediscovered.