Bodegas Borsao

Going back to 1958, the year the Cooperative of Borja was founded. This is where Borsao originated as a brand. Some years later, the co-operatives of Pozuelo and Tabuenca joined Borja, adding their resources and –most importantly- their vineyards. This happened in the year 2001, and the new company was called Bodegas Borsao S.A., established as a limited company. Its 700 members became shareholders and a management team was appointed to shake the foundations of the winery: starting with the grape sourcing scheme and following with a refurbishment of the winemaking facilities. Nowadays there has been more professionalization and now we are 375 winegrowers. Experience, resources and means combined with the potential of the vineyards of the 3 wine cellars, enabling the development of a new work philosophy that has given Borsao international recognition and prestige.  

Campo de Borja was set up in 1980 and has almost 7,500 hectares (20-25 Million kgs of Grapes). The Hillsides of the Moncayo shelter the vineyards located between 350 and 800 metres of altitude. Regulating cold, heat and moderating the effects of the North-west Cierzo, this is responsible for the characteristic wild fruit aromas (Silvestres). Regarding the soils, the dominant ones are red clayed, chalky and stony, with good drainage and medium levels of organic matter. The area offers very different soils:

• Tabuenca, red clay mixed with red-slates at an altitude of 750 m.
• Borja very sandy soils with rolling stones at an altitude of 450 m
• Pozuelo, limy soils mixed with gravels at an altitude of 350 m.

Generally speaking, the region has a solid continental climate, with a winter Atlantic influence –whose most important characteristic is the North-West “Cierzo” wind- and a summer Mediterranean influence. Low rainfall, at an average of 350 – 450 mm. Extreme temperatures and very sharp day and seasonal thermal contrasts help to retain acids and fix colour and tannin.    

Borsao is the benchmark for premium Spanish Garnacha. They have been one of the greatest preservers of this variety. They believe that it is specially suited to the region and it is imperative to continue working on improving the wines it produces. Garnacha is living a huge revival world-wide thanks to its fruit-driven character, soft tannins and pleasant mouthfeel, that make it perfect to match a great variety of meals. Garnacha originated in Aragón, where Borja is located and it owes its development throughout Europe to the strength of the Kingdom of Aragón, whose expansion made Garnacha be well established in the Rhône Valley in the 19th century, Italy and Sardinia. Garnacha is the most planted red variety of the world. Other names for Garnacha; Alicante, Aragonés, Cannonau, Garnaccho Negro, Garnacha Negra, Garnacha Roja, Garnacha Tinta, Grenache, Tintilla, Toledana, Uva di Spagna. During the 80s and 90s, it was extensively uprooted in Spain. However, it has been very well preserved in Aragón, where they are pioneers in single varietal garnacha and have contributed to its popularity among consumers.    

The vine-growing assets of the “Campo de Borja” D.O. are very rich as regards “garnachas”. Garnacha represents over 60% of the D.O. vineyard plantings. The oldest vineyards of the D.O. date back to 1145 and more than 2,000 of the 5,000 hectares of Garnacha are between 30 and 50 years old. The production is not high, but wine wise it is held in high esteem, due to the structural and aromatic complexity they give to the wines. This diversity of microclimates and soils enriches the nuances of the impressive “Garnacha” vine-growing assets of the land and enables them to call CAMPO DE BORJA, THE EMPIRE OF GARNACHA. Other varieties are Tempranillo, Mazuela, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah in red wines and Macabeo, Chardonnay and Moscatel. BODEGAS BORSAO represents almost 36% of the total D.O. vineyard surface.