2019 Vega Sicilia, Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750mL) JS97
2014 Vega Sicilia, Tinto Valbuena 5, Ribera del Duero, Case of 3 Btls RP96/VM96/JS96
2014 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750ml) RP98/JS98/VM97
2009 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Case of 3 Btls VM98/JS98/RP97
2009 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750ml) VM98/JS98/RP97
2006 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750ml) JS98/VM97
2016 Vega Sicilia, Alion, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750ml) JS96/RP95+
2012 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Case of 3 Btls JS97
2012 Vega Sicilia, Unico, Ribera del Duero, Bottle (750ml) JS97/WS96

Vega Sicilia, a Piece of Wine History

The production of Spanish wine dates back to the Roman Empire, including the production of wine in the actual Ribera del Duero region. During the 12th century, the Monks of Cluny discovered an incredible spot in Ribera del Duero called Valbuena del Duero, a small city gifted with a rich relief and a very diverse soil, composed of a mix of silty sand or clay, limestone, and calcareous rock.

For a long time, Ribera del Duero, and the entire country, operated under the world’s radar, producing wine for the local market and without surrendering to modern times.

In the nineteenth century, the work of a true pioneer, the Lecanda family, began what would be a change for Ribera del Duero. The Lecanda family founded a winery on the banks of the Duero River. In its vineyards, they used international grape varieties, something very unusual in Spain at the time. They planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec. Soon, those vineyards began to produce an exceptional wine, which would come to be known as Vega Sicilia.

After centuries of producing wines, Ribera del Duero and Vega Sicilia could show their face to the world thanks to the work of Alejandro Fernández, an agricultural engineer and winemaker who put the region on the map by introducing new techniques and creating powerful Tempranillos and the first wine called “Reserva” in Ribera del Duero. This was the first statement toward the creation of the appellation Ribera del Duero D.O. in 1982.

Today, Vega Sicilia is the most prestigious winery in Spain, crafting wines in several regions such as Rioja and Toro, but it is unquestionable that it finds its home in Ribera del Duero, creating the gems Valbuena 5 and Único, the best expressions of the Tempranillo grape in the region.

Spain’s First Growth Estate: Vega Sicilia

The origins of Vega Sicilia date back to 1859, when Eloy Lecanda inherited the land from his family, turning the untamed Ribera del Duero plot into a vineyard. Five years later, he imported 18,000 vines from Bordeaux to the vineyard, using cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes. Lecanda eventually passed in 1894, leaving ownership to the Herrero brothers, a group of socialite brothers who outwitted the phylloxera outbreak by creating a tempranillo clone called ‘Tinto Fino.’ With these vines, the pair produced Vega Sicilia, and Spain’s, most iconic wine to date – Unico.

While the Herrero brothers brought Vega Sicilia to icon status in Spain, it was not until the Alvarez family purchased the estate in 1982 that Vega Sicilia became a global powerhouse. Fueled by big-money renovations and a large focus on international marketing, Vega Sicilia strictly transformed into “Spain’s First Growth.”

Ribera del Duero Terroir

Along with other Spanish giants Pingus and Pesquera, Vega Sicilia is located on a “golden mile” between Panafiel and Tudela del Duero. The weather in the region is cold in the winter and scorching hot in the summer, also experiencing major diurnal shifts in temperature from day to night. Overall, Vega Sicilia owns 200 hectares in Ribera del Duero, with various vineyards on the slopes and near the Duero River.

Vega Sicilia Unico

Arguably Spain’s most iconic red wine is Vega Sicilia’s Unico bottling, comprised of Tinto Fino and small amounts of cabernet sauvignon. The wine typically takes 10 years to be released, as it is aged in wood barrels for six years and then left in the bottle for another four. The vines are planted on soil made of fine colluvial deposits from the hillside and small fragments of limestone. There is also quartz gravel deep in the sandy main soil, giving the wine its distinct elegance, strength, and incredible aging capacity. The feel is described as silky and noted as one of the rarest red wines in the world.

Vega Sicilia Valbuena

Valbuena is Vega Sicilia’s ‘second label,’ created from Tinto Fino and small amounts of merlot. The vineyard is situated on the lower, gentle slopes of the region with the soil comprised of eroded and cumulated material near the river. Ultimately, the Valbuena bottling is released at 5 years old, after aging in oak for 12-18 months and in bottle for 2 years. The wine is created the same each year, with only temperature playing a role in the profile of each vintage.

Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial

Like most Spanish wines of the past, each estate would create two bottles each year- the main vintage for release and a reserve with some of the harvests’ best wine. For Vega Sicilia, this came in the form of the Unico ‘Reserva Especial’ bottle, which contains a mixture of wines from the best harvest each vintage. A rare and elusive bottle for many collectors, the reserve only has 15,000 bottles released each vintage, making it a true gem for wine aficionados.

Complete Your Collection with Spain’s Top Estate

Carrying a bottle of Vega Sicilia in your cellar is the true marker of a wine expert, illustrating incredible depth and knowledge of Spain’s top wine and one of the world’s best tempranillo. With exquisite bottles produced across the Unico, Valbuena, Alion, and more, every choice is a great one. Perfect for long-term aging, drinking, or investing, browse our collection of Vega Sicilia wines to add to your collection today.

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