Bodegas Ateca was founded just outside the town of Ateca, Calatayud by the Gil Family in 2005. The focus is cultivating old-vine Garnacha, some dating back to the early 20th century, on slate-based vineyards at about 3,000 feet above sea level, some of the highest vineyards in the region. Clay loam deep below the rocky slate allows the vines to obtain moisture and the vineyards to be dry-farmed, lending to low-yields, intensity and structure.
The grapes used to produce the Honoro Vera wines are from various vineyards, spread across Spain and are generally located at over 2,300 feet in elevation. These various vineyards are at least 30 years of age or older with little production due to the fact the vines are planted in a bed of limestone and sand. These soil beds offer very poor nutrients, which is quite ideal for this type of crop. The vines are bush-trained, dry-farmed, hand harvested and farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
The wines are fermented in stainless steel before being transferred to French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. Color of intense dark cherry with a violet edge. Intense nose, dominated by ripe red fruits, raspberry, currant, together with balsamic and mineral notes. Powerful in the mouth, full-bodied, pleasantly tannic and fruity with a light spice on the finish.