El Terrerazo, in the Valencia region, is one of Spain's estate-specific Vinos de Pago and also holds Vino de la Tierra status. It covers a tiny area and was, in 2011, the region's first vineyard area to receive VP status. (It was followed soon after by Pago de Los Balagueses and then by Chozas Carrascal). The whole of El Terrerazo was formerly classified under a single-estate Vino de la Tierra title, which was established in 2003. The pago (estate), named Mustiguillo, is wholly owned by the Sarrion family, who are the sole producers of wines under the VP and VT titles.
Viticulture around El Terrerazo has been traced back to the 7th Century, thanks to a number of archaeological finds. The area lies 55 miles (90km) west of Valencia, the regional capital and Spain's third largest city. Being a bustling port city, with plenty of thirsty palates to quench and easy transport links by sea, it has long been attractive to wine producers. The area was associated with bulk production for much of the last century, but a handful of growers determined to produce high-quality wine also established operations.
Despite El Terrerazo's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the 220-acre (89-ha) estate has a largely continental climate, thanks to the altitude at which it sits. Its vineyards lie at between 2625 and 2705 feet (800–824m) and experience significant temperature variations from day to night and from summer to winter. This characteristic is conducive to the production of high-quality grapes. The estate's microclimate is also influenced by mild, moist winds from the Mediterranean and hot winds from Spain's dry centre. The soils are made up of mostly limestone, with sandy loams and clay, and sand and pebbles along the surface.
El Terrerazo has been particularly interested in the native Bobal variety, a naturally productive vine that offers good acidity, color and tannins. The estate has focused on low-yield examples of the variety, and produces two varietal wines – the only wines to carry the VP title. These spend 18 months in French oak and are generally intense, with dark-fruit and tobacco tones and a hint of minerality.
Other than Bobal, the Mustiguillo winery also cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Tempranillo, which are blended together and labeled as El Terrerazo VT. Numerous white varieties are also authorized on the estate, but they are not yet included in any VP or VT wines.
