Our estate is located in the Les Alcusses, a protected valley and preserved as a cultural landmark at the foothill of La Batida mountain. Wine remnants dating back to the 4th century B.C. were found in the ruins of an Iberian town located atop of the mountain that borders our estate.
We are at 530 meters (1.739 feet) above sea level and 90 kilometres (56 miles) southwest of the city of Valencia. With temperatures from -4ºC (24ºF) to 35ºC (95ºF) and ranfall concentrated in fall and winter. Different type of sils, sandy soil, white clay and sandy soil mixed with clay.
Pago Casa Gran lies on the northern hillside of a steep mountain and includes 110 Ha (272 acres) of land. The north-facing plots nearest the hillside are 100% sandy, while those at the floor of the valley are a mix of sand and clay. South-facing plots are composed entirely of white-clay soils. Overall climate and seasonal weather conditions are ideal for wine production, with warm summer days always followed by cold nights.
Because our soils are composed of several different proportions of clay and sand, they also have different fertility and water retention features. To manage these differences, we have at our disposal a variety of working parameters that allow us to match each growing zone with the right balance of:
match and obtain the right balance with:
> vine training system and row orientation
> strategies for permanent cover crops
> grape varieties and rootstock selection
> irrigation, if and when necessary
> viticultural practices
Whenever we plant a new plot of vines, we think through all of these aspects carefully considered with the aim of producing fruit of optimum quality.
We cultivate local grapes like Garnacha tintorera, Monastrell and Malvasia, next to other Mediterranean and international varieties such as Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Petit verdot and Gewüztraminer. The latter was brought from Germany to our estate by Carlos Laso’s grandfather, more than 60 years ago. Regardless of variety, all our vines are strong and self-sufficient thanks to the ecosystem and the mycorrhizas. Our ground covers allow us to maintain soil temperatures at 8-12ºC (46-53ºF), much cooler than bare soil, while also retaining humidity and forcing the roots to go deeper in search of water.
Our motto is: “Work with Nature, not against her“.
