Frontonio

Founded in 2012, Bodegas Frontonio is the project of Fernando Mora, a young engineer from Aragón who has become, in less than fifteen years and after a meteoric career, one of Spain's brightest winemaking stars. After quitting his job at the renewable energy sector, Fernando Mora first got his WSET certification in 2015 and, just two years afterwards, became one of Spain's very few Masters of Wine – there are currently less than 10 MWs based in the country. – During that time, he worked closely with his partner, oenologist Mario López, to develop the Bodegas Frontonio project, and started another business venture, bodega Cuevas de Arom, in collaboration with the Aragonese coop Bodegas San Alejandro.

The headquarters of Bodegas Frontonio winery are in the village of Alpartir, situated in the Sierra del Jalón area, in the Aragonese province of Zaragoza. The Frontonio winery currently tends 27.5 hectares of vineyards, sitting at altitudes between 450 and 1,030 metres, in an area that has a Continental climate with a slight Mediterranean influence and is constantly swept by the Cierzo, a strong northern wind. Planted with traditional varieties, like Grenache – Frontonio's flaghsip grape – Carignan, White Grenache, Macabeo and other lesser-known local grapes, the vineyards, 45 to 125+ years of age, have different soil compositions: slate, limestone, marl, etc. Interestingly, they are classified following the Burgundian pyramid of quality, with regional wines at the bottom and Grand Cru wines at the top. Besides having an organic certification, the winery ploughs the field with animal traction, follows the Simonit & Sirch pruning method and is converting to biodynamic farming.

Mainly sold under the VT Valdejalón IGP seal, the wines of Bodegas Frontonio are vinified in concrete diposits and wooden tanks, with mild extractions and full cluster fermentation for red wines. Each batch of grapes is macerated and aged for a different period of time, which is determined according to the characteristics of the site and the demands of each vintage. From its first vintage in 2010, the house style has undergone a substantial evolution, picking the grapes earlier and macerating them for shorter periods of time. The aim is to produce fresh, crisp and elegant wines that are true to the spirit of the Aragonese terroir. Yearly production averages 150,000 bottles.

• Year of foundation: 2012
• Address: Camino de las bodegas S/N
• City: Alpartir
• Province: Zaragoza
• Zip code: 50109
• Country: Spain
• Phone number: 34 876 600 002
• www.bodegasfrontonio.com
• Guided visits? No
• Wine tourism services? No