2022 Ponce Blanco Albilla

WINEMAKER: Juan Antonio Ponce
REGION: Manchuela, SP
VARIETY: Albilla
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

A deceptive drop: more Galicia than Manchuela, more cool-climate than it really is. Ponce Blanco is produced from the almost extinct white varietal Albilla de Manchuela, which is no relation to the more common Spanish Albillo. As of 2014, Ponce was the only producer using this varietal which produces something surprisingly similar to Chenin Blanc with notes of apple and fresh hay.

Manchuela & viticulture are in Juan Antonio's blood, he was only 14 when he started his winemaking degree. He has worked across Spain with Telmo Rodriguez and even a stint with Marcel Lapierre in Beaujolais! He came home at the humble age of 23 to start his own project, the idea to showcase Manchuela through a different lens; Low crop levels, Biodynamic farming and fresher wine styles. Working with his father they planted the family property to a mix of Bobal, Monastrell, Morvia Agria, Garnacha and the local white, Albilla. Alongside there own original holdings they have purchased older vineyards throughout the region amasing a total of 35ha under vine, again this is all managed organically or biodynamically and by hand, a HUGE feat indeed.