Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos

Spain

One of Spain's premier wineries from a top wine-growing region

Even though Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos has only existed since 1980, its name has always been synonymous with the very finest in Spanish wine and winemaking. This can be traced directly to Mariano Garcia Fernandez, the Mauro Group’s General Director and head winemaker. Garcia was formerly winemaker for the famed Vega Sicilia, long considered Spain’s premier winery and always placed among the supreme wineries in the entire world.

Garcia retired from Vega Sicilia in 1998 and immediately devoted his time and expertise to Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos. In 1994, he began experimenting with grapes from the Toro region, an area he considered to possess great potential for producing world class wines.

The first release of Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos came in 1998, and was met with great critical acclaim. The Tinta de Toro (from the same family as Tempranillo, but adapted to Toto over the centuries) is the principal varietal used for Maurodos wines and produces more intense aroma and structure than other Tempranillo varietals. The Prima line was initiated in 2003 as collaboration with Garcia’s son Eduardo and has received great acclaim from international competitions and periodicals.

Each and every wine selected for our six different Wine Clubs meets our strict guidelines for quality and rating criteria. Each wine is handcrafted by an authentic, small-production boutique winery with a compelling story to tell like the one above. Since our first Gold Wine Club shipment in 1992, we have added five more impressive Wine Clubs to choose from—each a showcase for highly-rated, sought-after wines you can enjoy as a Gold Medal, wine of the month club member.

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Mariano & Eduardo Garcia - Winemakers

Considered as Spain’s top winemaker by just about everyone in the wine industry, Mariano Garcia is a giant figure in Spanish wine. As the celebrated winemaker for Spain’s famed Vega Sicilia, Garcia earned his reputation over a period of many years.

His son Eduardo has carried on his father’s tradition and has oenology degrees from top schools in both France and Spain. Eduardo has also apprenticed in Spain, France and California, giving him an international perspective on winemaking. Mariano Garcia was one of the first winemakers to recognize the Toro D.O. as a top growing region and his presence caused additional wineries to locate in the area.

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A History of Spanish Wines

There is little to dispute the fact that many of Spain’s ultra-premium wines have continued their unparalleled march to greatness within the world’s wine canopy. While this progression has occurred mostly during the past twenty years, it has only been successful due to the fact that a broad base of quality had been established by Spanish winemakers for many hundreds of years.

Spanish winemaking can be traced back many centuries and has always enjoyed a unique place in wine history thanks to the varied soils and microclimates that can be found throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

The past two decades have seen a renewed interest in Spanish winemaking through financial commitment to existing wineries and a remarkable investment by a new wave of Spaniards and outsiders through investment in boutique wineries. These smaller
artisan-style wineries can be found throughout many wine-producing countries, and Spain is no exception. Utilizing modern state-of-the-art facilities and current winemaking techniques, a number of these small properties have quickly taken their places among the world’s top producing wineries.

This International Series selection involves three wineries that fit into this collection. Three distinct growing areas are also featured that argue well for the broad variety of grapes and wines that are currently being produced in Spain.

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Toro Region D.O., Spain

Spain’s unique location, varying geography, and wide range of microclimates are responsible for the country’s large number of different grape varieties and wine styles. Vineyards stretch from the green, rolling hills of the north to the arid expanses of the south, and all the differences between them, from weather, to the richness of the soil, are what makes Spanish wines so special and unique.

Toro is one of the smaller Spanish growing regions located immediately northwest of Rueda. It is home to fewer than 50 wineries but produces an extremely high number of vintages that are frequently labeled as the best in the country.

Given D.O. status in 1987, the area is famous for its bold red wines. Many Spanish wine writers believe Toro D.O. produces the best wines in Spain, a belief that is supported by the region’s prowess in top international competitions.

The vineyards of Toro tend to be older, with many sections enjoying old vine status. Wines are generally intense with bold structure and accompanied by sweet tannins.