Proyecto Garnachas de España is an initiative that rescues and celebrates old Garnacha vineyards across the Ebro basin in Spain. The project seeks forgotten parcels planted in the 1940s on ferrous clay and stony soils, often at high altitude (around 800–850 metres) in the Ribota valley. Winemaker Raúl Acha and the Vintae team vinify these single-vineyard Garnachas to highlight age-old vine concentration: low yields, hand harvesting, careful sorting, fermentation in concrete or large vats and modest élevage in French oak (new and used).

Aragón, located in northeastern Spain, is a diverse and historic wine region encompassing four Denominaciones de Origen (DOs): Cariñena, Calatayud, Somontano, and Campo de Borja. The region is characterised by its continental climate, marked by hot, dry summers and cold winters, with significant diurnal temperature variations that help preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes. The persistent Cierzo wind, a cool northwesterly breeze, further moderates temperatures and reduces disease pressure.

Aragón’s vineyards stretch from the foothills of the Pyrenees in the north to the Ebro Valley in the south, with soils that range from stony and calcareous to clay and slate. These varied terrains contribute to the complexity and individuality of the wines.

Garnacha (Grenache) is the region’s flagship grape, producing ripe, fruit-driven reds with notes of red berries, spice, and earth. Other key varieties include Tempranillo, Cariñena (Carignan), and increasingly, international grapes such as Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. In cooler zones like Somontano, white varieties such as Chardonnay, Macabeo, and Gewürztraminer thrive.

Aragonese wines range from robust, full-bodied reds to fresh, aromatic whites and lively rosés, offering a balance of richness, freshness, and authenticity that reflects the rugged beauty of the region.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.