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About Winery and Wines
Valbusenda Winery is a family endeavor that came to life in 2003 when the founders decided to actualize one of their dreams: to showcase the spirit of their homeland through their passion for wine. They chanced upon a site within the D.O. Toro and were immediately entranced by the locale. At that moment, Valbusenda was born. Although the initial idea was to construct a winery, the founders decided to take it a step further and share their love for wine with the world.
Today, Valbusenda has morphed into a wine tourism complex comprising a winery, a 5-star Hotel-Spa, an Ampelographic Garden, and a Training Vineyard—exclusively dedicated to studying different planting systems. It offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the world of wine through all five senses.
The Valbusenda Winery swung open its doors in December 2008, situated in a location that shares its name, with the Duero River as the central feature. The winery is nestled just a few meters from its banks in the Vega de Toro.
The wines from this region have a rich tradition, their origins predating even Roman settlements. By the Middle Ages, the wines of Toro had earned royal privileges and were favored by the Castilian monarchs in the 13th century. These wines voyaged to the Americas in the holds of Christopher Columbus's ships. During the 19th century, large quantities were exported to France to make up for the wine shortage caused by phylloxera.
Today, the Vega de Toro, home to the Valbusenda winery, is protected under the Toro Origin Denomination. The establishment of this appellation began forming in the 1970s but wasn't officially recognized until 1987. A mere few decades later, the D.O. Toro has received substantial recognition both domestically and internationally, due in part to its adaptation to evolving consumer tastes and meticulous wine crafting techniques. This results in modern red wines that balance smoothness with intense color, full-bodied, and flavorful, suitable for long aging. Valbusenda's location along the banks of the Duero gives it unique characteristics. Its climatic conditions, soils, and the emblematic "Tinta de Toro" grape make it one of the most prestigious winemaking regions. This is evidenced by the growing number of wineries that have joined this appellation year after year, currently totaling over 54.
Bodegas Valbusenda carefully manages an additional 80 hectares of old, ungrafted vineyards that yield a low production of around 3,000 kg/ha. These vineyards, located in towns within the D.O. Toro, such as Morales de Toro, Pedrosa del Rey, San Román de Hornija, Valdefinjas, and Venialbo, are planted in light, sandy soils that are poor in organic matter. The west-facing slopes, rich in gravel and sand, contribute significantly to the terroir, imparting a unique identity to the wines produced here.
The vineyard management process begins in February with winter pruning. From May onward, the team carries out phytosanitary treatments, tilling, and pruning to control the vines' production capacity and optimize sunlight exposure for the grape bunches.
Harvesting is done manually and is tailored to each vineyard, with the grapes being picked at their optimal ripeness. Each vineyard plot is vinified separately, allowing the distinct characteristics of each terroir to shine through in the final wines.