Estrada Palacio Sentif White 2022

Area: 7ha • DO: Aragon (Somontano) • Elevation: 450m above sea level • Soil: poor, sandy • Vine age: 25-80 • Grape varieties: old vine Macabeo & Incrocio Manzoni, old field blend • Farming practices: sustainable/non-irrigated

The Palacio family roots go back roughly five centuries in the town of Bespén, in northern Spain, just south of the Pyrenees mountains. The town itself is tiny, and centered around a humble stone monastery. Fewer than 100 people live there currently, as each new generation heads off to cities and other locales in search of economic opportunities. The winery took on the name “Palacio” over 100 years ago, when grandfather Martin continued the family tradition of growing vines and making wines in the rustic (by-any-definition) ancient cellar. He was followed by son Francisco who kept working in the old subterranean cave; since 2006 Francisco’s three children José, Carlos, and Ana have carried on the legacy, which includes a new winery. In addition to grapes, the family has been farming cereal, olive, and almond trees for generations, and they maintain greenhouses so that they can enjoy fresh vegetables year round. They have 7ha of vines planted at 450m above sea level on poor, sandy soils. Vine age is from 25 years to over 100.

Sentif refers to the dry river in Bespén, and the producer considers this wine to represent the identity of the winery. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel, then aged 6 months in oak.