ANCESTRAL 2020

Origin and production philosophy

Ancestral 2020 is a sparkling white wine from Andalusia, made with 100% Zalema. Produced following natural and organic viticulture, it highlights the 60-year-old vineyards and calcareous-clay terroir. Every step from vineyard to bottle is done by hand to preserve authenticity and freshness.

Vineyards and terroir

The vineyards grow on calcareous-clay soils, with an average vine age of 60 years. All vineyard operations are manual, from pruning to harvest, respecting the natural expression of the grapes and ensuring superior quality.

Vinification and aging

Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, without added sulfites or chemical interventions. Aging continues in bottle, producing natural bubbles and giving freshness and complexity to the wine.

Tasting notes

• Color: pale yellow with greenish reflections

• Nose: citrus, white flowers, subtle mineral notes

• Palate: fresh, fruity, lightly sparkling, with a harmonious finish

Pairings and serving suggestions

Ideal with light appetizers, raw vegetables, seafood, and fresh cheeses. Serving temperature: 8–10 °C.

Technical Sheet

• Region: Andalusia

• Variety: 100% Zalema

• Appellation: Sparkling White Wine

• Viticulture: natural, organic

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: stainless steel fermentation with indigenous yeasts

• Aging: in bottle

• SO2 added: no

• Production: 1,000 bottles

Garay – The Authentic Voice of Zalema

History and Origins

Mario Garay was born into a family deeply connected to wine: his paternal grandfather was an oenologist, while his maternal family had been winemakers for generations. Originally from Cacabelos, in Castilla y León, Mario moved to La Palma del Condado for love. There, he decided to create his own wine project, founding Bodegas Garay in 2013.

For years, Mario sold his grapes to local wineries, but feeling they could not truly enhance their potential, he chose to work independently. This decision gave life to a small artisanal estate, which today counts around 5 hectares of vineyards, with more to come, and stands out for its unique identity.

The Vineyard and Philosophy

The true star here is Zalema, an indigenous white grape variety of western Andalusia. Mario Garay cultivates the first certified organic Zalema vineyard by CAAE, a milestone that underlines his respect for nature.

The vineyards, with vines over 50 years old and some reaching a century, are located at 150 meters of altitude, on medium-fertility calcareous-clay soils. This terroir has always been highly suited to viticulture, and Garay expresses it in its purest form.

Garay’s approach is simple yet radical: natural viticulture with minimal intervention. The soils remain covered by spontaneous vegetation to retain moisture and prevent erosion. No systemic treatments are applied, and every vineyard task – pruning, thinning, harvesting – is carried out by hand.

Winemaking

Harvest takes place between late August and early September, with grapes handpicked into small 20 kg crates. After careful selection, the bunches are destemmed, and pressing is done manually with a small oak press, reflecting a deeply artisanal spirit.

The free-run must ferments spontaneously in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, preserving the varietal character of Zalema.

Aging

Depending on the style Mario Garay aims to achieve, his wines undergo different aging processes:

• in American or French oak barrels, for added structure and complexity;

• in non-buried amphorae, to highlight purity and freshness;

• or under oxidation with a flor veil, recalling the great Andalusian winemaking tradition.

This diversity allows Garay to showcase all the nuances of Zalema, from its most elegant and mineral expression to its oxidative and profound soul.