About Mónica y Estrella Zas (Vinos Libres por Mujeres)

• Background: Mónica Zas, known as “Zas,” and her daughter Estrella Zas are winemakers in La Portera, Requena, Valencia, Spain. Mónica works alongside Mariano Tabernes, a renowned natural winemaker in the region, and in 2022, she and Estrella launched Vinos Libres por Mujeres (“Free Wines for Women”). Their project celebrates female empowerment and natural winemaking, rooted in the Utiel-Requena region’s traditions.

• Wines: Their debut wine, Wild Fermentation, is an ancestral (pét-nat) sparkling wine made from the Bobal grape, a red variety typical of Utiel-Requena and La Mancha. Key details:

  • Wild Fermentation (Ancestral Bobal): Produced using carbonic maceration (intracellular fermentation) for nearly four months in the vat, followed by traditional alcoholic fermentation completed in the bottle. It undergoes two disgorging operations to remove residual lees, resulting in an 11.5% ABV natural sparkling wine with vibrant fruit and complexity.

• Production: Small-scale, artisanal production, emphasizing organic, low-intervention methods with no added sulfur. The extended carbonic maceration and pét-nat style highlight Bobal’s character. Exact bottle counts are not specified, but the project’s boutique nature suggests very limited output.

• Style: Light, fruity, aromatic, and effervescent, with Bobal’s characteristic red fruit and spice notes, crafted to be expressive and approachable, aligning with the natural wine movement.