In 1990, Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck arrived in Spain to tend to a new estate, Hacienda Monasterio, unaware of the new legacy he'd carve for Spanish wines. After 5 years working at the estate, Sisseck would establish Pingus, a wine estate that'd become an instant industry icon. With praise from Robert Parker, who claimed it to be “one of the greatest... young red wines [he had] ever tasted," and a fabled story of the first vintage prices skyrocketing, Pingus quickly garnered a reputation as Spanish excellence and continues to carry that torch nearly 3 decades later.
Domino de Pingus: Spain's Danish Delight
Peter Sisseck arrived in Ribera del Duero in 1990, entering a land known for old vineyards, poor farming, and low-quality wines. Though many looked down on the region, Sisseck saw enormous potential in the Ribera's temperamental fields and hot, arid conditions. While working as head winemaker at Hacienda Monasterio, Sisseck dreamed about starting his own estate and was confident about producing strong Tempranillo in the vineyards.
In 1995, Peter Sisseck established Pingus, named after his childhood nickname. The project began as Spain's first "garage wine," with very low yields from vines planted in 1929 on a 10-acre site. Low funds forced early Pingus production to take place in a rented winery, and only 325 cases of the first vintage were produced. While many looked down upon "garagiste" wines, Peter intentionally created Pingus to be a rare and valuable item.
Pingus Wine: Overnight Success
Seemingly overnight, Pingus transformed from a garagiste to Spain's most expensive wine. After Sisseck brought the first vintage to showcase at Bordeaux en primeur tastings in March 1996, the wine gained instant acclaim from Robert Parker, awarding a 96-100 point score. And, by the end of the week, Pingus was featured on the back cover of The Wine Advocate. 10 years later, a new feature in the magazine included a profound statement illustrating the estate's long-term success: "In the price/quality sweepstakes, this might be Spain's finest wine."
Collectors instantly swarmed to buy the 1995 Pingus, causing prices to skyrocket. This was further dramatized in the American market after 75 of the first 325 cases were lost when the ship carrying the wine sank in the North Atlantic. The wine started at $200/bottle, but rose to $495 after the infamous shipwreck. Such fairytale stories made Pingus wine an overnight phenomenon in Spanish wine, with a meteoric rise that would only continue to grow.
Pingus Tempranillo: Minimal Intervention Winemaking
Pingus began biodynamic farming in 2000, making it one of the early adopters of this approach. The estate uses no fertilizers or pesticides on its vines, which are allowed to grow old and gnarled, in accordance with the terroir. Low yields and minimal intervention also contribute to the legendary wine produced, with Sisseck believing it is key to pay meticulous attention to each grape and vine, contributing to the extraordinary concentration of each bottling.
The wine is fermented in the steel of large wooden vats, then aged in 100% new French oak. Other estates have duplicated such techniques; however, none have been able to capture the mixture of power and elegance that Pingus has. While Tempranillo is known as being strong and rich, Sisseck's formula has tamed the region's natural power and given more balance and depth to the wine.
Flor de Pingus
Dominio de Pingus' second wine is Flor de Pingus, a 100% Tempranillo crafted from purchased fruit across Ribera del Duero. At nearly 1/10th the price of the flagship Pingus wine, Flor de Pingus offers discerning customers a taste of Spanish cult-wine without breaking the bank. Its profile is similar to the flagship label, though it features softer tannins, ripe red-fruit aromas, and is best enjoyed at a younger age. No matter the choice between Flor de Pingus or the Pingus flagship, both provide maximum drinking pleasure.
Pingus Wine Price & More
With a reputation as a country's most pricey wine comes large expectations for taste, quality, and longevity— each of which Pingus wines excel in. The original Pingus 1995 was labelled a "legendary effort" by Robert Parker, and recent vintages such as Pingus 2016 and Pingus 2015 have received similar acclaim. Bottles are often priced upward of $1,000, representing a true investment for seasoned drinkers.
Adding a bottle of Pingus Tempranillo to your cellar is an expression of true love for fine wine and winemakers who dedicate their lives to the craft. With a mythical story, complex flavors, and ingenious techniques, Pingus transcends not only traditional Tempranillo but all of Spanish wine.
