Campo de la Guardia is one of Spain's estate-specific Vinos de Pago. VP status is reserved for vineyards that are considered to occupy special parcels of land that produce consistently exceptional wine. Campo de la Guardia sits directly south of Spain's capital, Madrid, and east of the historic city of Toledo, just outside the ancient village of La Guardia. This VP is thus within the bounds of the Castilla-La Mancha region.
The estate was awarded the prestigious VP status in August 2009, a notable feat as the vineyard is relatively new. Campo de la Guardia was developed by Bodegas Martué, whose proprietor, Fausto González, planted Campo Martuela, the first parcel of the vineyard, in 1990 and then waited 10 years to vinify his first vintage, holding out for a quality of grapes he was satisfied with. The second parcel of land, El Casar, covers 126 acres (51ha) and was planted in 2000. The vineyard's total area under vine is 200 acres (81ha). All wines carrying the Campo de la Guardia VP label must be grown within these two parcels and vinified and aged in the estate's winery, which was constructed in 2002.
Campo de la Guardia specializes in red-wine production and, interestingly, focuses on cultivating the favorite international varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah as well as some Petit Verdot and Malbec and Spain's signature grape, Tempranillo. The only white-wine grape cultivated on the estate is Chardonnay, which is grown exclusively on the El Casar parcel.
Campo de la Guardia boasts modern winemaking equipment such as 20,000-liter stainless-steel tanks and its own bottle facility. Come harvest time, fruit is picked at night, ensuring it remains fresh and adding to wine quality. Aging for red wines takes place in a combination of French (80%) and American (20%) 1000-liter oak casks and generally lasts 14 to 15 months.
Typically, the estate's wines, bottled under the label Martué, are high in alcohol and grunt. Varietal Chardonnay and Syrah wines are produced, as well as the complex red blends.
