Phinca San Julian Single Vineyard Rioja

This single vineyard Rioja from Rioja Alavesa is intensely pure, layered and complex all in one! Made by Melaine Hicks, a Hawaiian that fell in love with Rioja, it’s a special wine that’s limited to just 900 bottles. The vineyard it comes from is east facing with limestone soils and 100 year old vines which make for a bright, precise and aromatic style of Rioja.

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja DOC, Spain. 

Organic, biodynamic, vegan/veggie, single vineyard, limited production- 900 bottles.

2016

14%

75cl

MORE INFORMATION

Producer

Melanie Hickman, a North American native, fell in love with a Spaniard and changed the path of her life. A lover of nature and wine, both of which can be found in Alava, Melanie decided to settle in Rioja Alavesa, combine her passions and convert her dreams into her livelihood by elaborating three single vineyard wines with the help of her husband, David Sampedro. Her mission is to rescue old vines with high quality grapes, convert the land to Biodynamic farming, and create single vineyard wines. Each wine is an expression of the vineyard, passion, care and dreams fulfilled. All with a focus on nature and respect for the environment.

Viticulture

A small .6 ha vineyard isolated on a steeply graded hill. Its uneven surfaces and secluded location is perfect for Biodynamic farming with plow horses. Pure limestone soils and an east-facing orientation keeps the vineyard fresh and cool. This vineyard offers a glimpse into the past; an image of what the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa looked like one-hundred years ago.

Winemaking

100 year old vines. Blend of 77% Tempranillo, 14% Graciano, 2% Garnacha and 7% Viura. Hand-harvested in 10 kg cases, the grapes are hand selected and placed in open top barrels with the use of 40% full cluster. The wine is foot crushed and fermented without the addition of yeasts. It matured in 225-liter French barriques for one year.

Taste

Balsamic and aromatic notes of dry herbs and sweet spices. The palate reveals very fine, abundant tannins and vibrant freshness.

Food Pairing

It’s currently in its ideal drinking window and will pair with an array of dishes. Lamb, pork and game will all favour this wine as will strong cheeses, spiced paellas and rustic stews.