Abadia Retuerta

Bodega Abadía Retuerta is a winery to the west of Ribera del Duero in the autonomous region of Castilla y León. It is known for its red blended and varietal wines made from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The estate is specifically located in Sardon de Duero, and Abadía Retuerta has been influential in increasing the profile and recognition of the area. Techinally outside the Ribera del Duero DO, all of the company's wines carry the Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León designation, although many include 'Viñedos Propios Sardon de Duero' on the label as well. 

The winery was founded in 1996 with the construction of a patented state-of-the-art winery. The building and gravity-led winemaking techniques were designed by Pascal Delbeck, an oenologist and consultant who also works in the vineyards of prestigious Saint-Émilion estate Château Ausone. Abadía Retuerta also has a 12th century fortified monastery on its property that was restored and converted into a hotel by Abadía Retuerta's parent company Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceutical company.

The estate has over 200 hectares (500 acres) under vine with the majority planted to Tempranillo. A total of 54 different plots are each planted with individual varieties. Vineyards are spread across the property from the banks of the Duero River to hillside slopes at elevations of 2700ft (825m) above sea level. The climate is strongly continental with high diurnal and seasonal temperature ranges. The soil composition also varies from plot to plot from gravel, alluvium, limestone, sand and clay.

Although red wines make up the bulk of the portfolio, a white blend is made from a mistaken planting of Sauvignon Blanc. Experimenting with the fruit was a success and 2011 became the first commercial vintage. Verdejo has been added along with small amounts of Gewürztraminer, Godello and Riesling.