Alvear

The Alvear winery is an absolute reference in the great Spanish tradition of fortified and solera wines.

Alvear is Andalusia's oldest winery and Spain's third oldest one. Founded in 1729 by Diego de Alvear Escalera, the company has been family-owned for almost 300 years. During that period, they have not ceased to improve the winemaking techniques and the winery's facilities, while preserving the company's precious heritage for future generations. Nowadays, the Alvear winery is run by the eighth generation of the large Alvear family.

The fortified wines produced by Bodega Alvear from Montilla-Moriles highlight the unique qualities of the Pedro Ximénez grape. All of the winery's finos, amontillados, olorosos, and sweet wines are made from that variety, whose natural high sugar content makes it perfect for producing fortified wines. The grapevines grow in two kinds of soils: the permeable, lime-filled albarizas or alberos, and the red- coloured, ferrous terrains called ruedos.

The facilites include a grape reception area, a fermentation room and several Crianza chambers. Each is full of wooden vats, which together have an overall capacity of 5 milion liters. The oldest wines are aged in La Monumental, La Sacristía and El Liceo. The rest are aged in Las Mercedes. Located in the historic district, the original Alvear winery is a city landmark with special protection. Built in the XVIIIth century, it houses the oldest soleras of the region, among which there are some amontillados over 200 years of age. As for the current production, Bodegas Alvear produces wines as well known as Fino C.B. Or PX 1927.

In 1999, the Alvear family took on a new project: producing fine wines in the little-known region of Ribera del Guadiana (Extremadura), through the Palacio Quemado winery.

Year of foundation: 1729
Address: María Auxiliadora, 1
City: Montilla
Province: Córdoba
Zip code: 14450
Country: Spain
Phone number: 34 957 650 100
www.alvear.es
Guided visits? Yes
Wine tourism services? Yes