Vinos al Margen

Vinos al Margen (which translates to "Wines on the Margin") is a collective project founded on the deeply rooted principle of vineyard preservation. Based in the rugged mountains of the Sierra de Salamanca in Castilla y León, Spain, this winery is dedicated to recovering and breathing new life into ancient, often forgotten, plots of high-altitude vines. They embody a return to traditional, hands-off winemaking that honors the wisdom of the land.

The Cause: Old Vines & Biodiversity

The project was established in 2012 by a group of friends driven by a shared mission: to protect the region’s viticultural heritage.

• Ancient Vineyards: Vinos al Margen works exclusively with extremely old vineyards, with many plots dating back at least 80 years. These vines represent unique genetic material, often surviving in isolation (pie franco/ungrafted), which is increasingly rare.

• Terroir: The vineyards are tucked away on quiet, often steep hillsides at high altitudes, typically between 800 and 1000 meters above sea level. This high elevation contributes to a pronounced freshness and complexity in the finished wines.

• Location: Sierra de Salamanca (Castilla y León), an area known for its traditional, mixed farming culture.

Philosophy: Mountain Wines

Vinos al Margen adheres strictly to principles that allow the vineyard's innate qualities to express themselves, reflecting their "Mountain Wines" label.

• Farming: They practice organic and traditional agriculture while following biodynamic principles. Their focus is on high biodiversity, allowing the vines to thrive in a natural ecosystem without chemical intervention.

• Grape Varieties: Their wines showcase the region’s indigenous grapes, most notably Rufete and Garnacha(Grenache/Calabrés), along with a rich, heterogeneous mix of other ancient red and white varieties.

• Winemaking: Following a minimal intervention approach, grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously using wild yeasts. The wines are aged in a variety of vessels, including clay amphorae (tinajas), old oak barrels, and concrete vats, ensuring a pure, unfiltered expression of the fruit.

Key Wines

The portfolio is designed to be elegant, wild, and reflective of the mountainous terroir, often categorized as natural wines.

• Crusol: A red blend, often featuring Rufete and Garnacha, known for its complexity, woodland spices, and haunting intensity.

• Santón: A red made from the indigenous Rufete grape, prized for its soft tannins and refreshing, savory character.

• Viña Padre & Viña Madre: The wines of the house, representing the core philosophy of preserving the vineyards that came before them.

• Kalifo & Alèth: Examples of their white and skin-contact (orange) wines, showcasing the potential of the high-altitude white varieties.