Gonzalo Gonzalo Gran Cerdo Tempranillo 2021

Gran Cerdo Tempranillo comes from Fuenmayor, a town in the Rioja Alta sub-zone of DOCa Rioja, positioned between groves of trees along the Ebro River and Mount San Llorente. The 100% Tempranillo vines were planted approximately 35 years ago across 4.5 hectares of calcareous clay soils. Gonzalo Gonzalo Grijalba follows biodynamic practices in both vineyard and winery, following the lunar calendar year-round.

Winemaking here is minimal intervention by design: whole-bunch fermentation, native yeasts, no filtration, no stabilization, and minimal added sulfur. There is no oak aging — the wine goes straight to bottle to preserve primary fruit character. The result is unoaked, which puts Gran Cerdo well outside the classic Rioja formula of extended American oak aging.

In the glass, Gran Cerdo is cherry-red with purplish highlights. Aromas of fresh strawberry, raspberry, and cherry are backed by a floral violet note and clean mineral tones from the granite-influenced soils. The palate is juicy and bright, with lively acidity, soft tannins, and a slight herbaceous finish with a touch of spice.

The name Gran Cerdo — Big Pig — is a direct nod to the bank executives who refused Gonzalo loans on the grounds that wine is not a seizable asset. The flying pig label tells that story with zero ambiguity. The wine is vegan, organic in practice (uncertified), and biodynamic.