RED 2021 – Andalusian White Wine with Character

Origin and uniqueness of the wine

Red 2021 is a white wine from Andalusia, crafted with passion and deep respect for tradition. It is made from 100% Zalema, a native grape variety that expresses the richness and authenticity of its terroir. With only 1,500 bottles produced, this wine represents a unique expression of Andalusian winemaking heritage.

The vineyard and natural viticulture

The vineyards cover around 5 hectares, planted on calcareous-clay soils that provide balance and minerality to the grapes. The vines, averaging 60 years of age, are cultivated according to natural and organic methods, without the use of synthetic chemicals. The manual harvest ensures careful grape selection and preservation of the environment.

Winemaking process

The vinification begins with a spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts. Afterward, the wine matures for 8 months in American oak barrels, a process that enhances its structure, aromas, and complexity while respecting the natural character of Zalema.

Tasting notes

In the glass, Red 2021 reveals a bright straw-yellow color. On the nose, it offers citrus notes, hints of dried fruits, and delicate vanilla. On the palate, it is fresh yet rounded, with balanced acidity and a long, harmonious finish that combines fruit and subtle oak.

Food pairings

This white wine pairs beautifully with grilled fish, shellfish, white meats, and rice dishes. It is also excellent with tapas, semi-cured cheeses, and vegetarian cuisine. A versatile wine that reflects the warmth and tradition of Andalusia.

Technical Sheet

• Region: Andalusia

• Grape variety: 100% Zalema

• Appellation: White Wine

• Vineyard size: 5 ha

• Soil: calcareous-clay

• Average vine age: 60 years

• Viticulture: natural, organic

• Harvest: manual

• Vinification: spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel

• Ageing: 8 months in American oak barrels

• SO2 added: none

• Production: 1,500 bottles

• Serving temperature: 10–12°C

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.