BARBARA PALACIOS VALTRACONES blanco
Bárbara Palacios

2022 Valtracones Garnacha blanca

In 2020, we decided to plant this vineyard as bush-trained vines, seeking higher altitude and the potential to produce a fine white wine. The chosen variety, Garnacha Blanca, was selected for its adaptability and affinity with our limestone-rich soils.

Tasting note

Blend: 100% Garnacha Blanca
Appearance: Pale straw yellow with subtle golden reflections.
Nose: Expressive and refined, revealing citrus notes, fennel, and a delicate mineral background reminiscent of flint.
Palate: Vibrant and linear, with marked acidity that brings tension and precision. A subtle saline character adds depth and elegance.
Finish: Long, fresh, and mineral, with great aging potential despite the youth of the vineyard.

2022 VINTAGE

The end of 2021 was mild, gradual, and favorable for the vineyard, with no excessive rainfall or severe cold. This allowed the vines to enter 2022 in excellent physiological condition, with sufficient reserves and a balanced start to the season. January brought typical winter temperatures with some rain, while February was warmer and drier than usual. Spring 2022 presented a high risk of disease due to humidity, yet the rainfall also encouraged vegetative growth after a dry winter. The following months — summer and autumn — would prove decisive for the quality of the harvest. The summer in Los Riscos de Bilibio posed a real challenge for viticulture, marked by heat and drought that accelerated ripening and created plant stress. However, the grapes maintained excellent health and purity.

2022 HARVEST

The grapes were harvested by hand in mid-September, slightly before full ripeness, to preserve freshness. Clusters were carefully selected and kept whole for 48 hours under cold conditions before being gently pressed in a vertcal stainless-steel press.
After 24 hours of static settling, fermentation took place at 16°C. Once completed, the wine was aged for 10 months in a 500 L French oak barrel (fourth use), with bâtonnage (stirring of the lees) every 15 days to enhance texture and complexity. It was then racked and rested a further 3 months on fine lees before bottling.

Valtracones vineyards

Vineyard Size: 0.60 ha
Variety: Bush Trained Garnacha Blanca
Soil: Clay-limestone with high ac􏰀ve lime content
Altitude: 480 m
Orientation: East–West
This ravine is mentioned as a natural boundary within the subzone known as La Calzada, located south of the Valdespino stream.

The plot is planted with an east-west orientation and a spacing of 2.4m x 1m. The soil has a high concentration of active lime, which led me to choose Garnacha Blanca, a variety that is moderately tolerant to the presence of calcium carbonate.

The vineyard is managed under integrated and environmentally conscious viticulture, eliminating herbicides and applying phytosanitary treatments only when necessary.