AV Bodeguers

Emporda

Location. Location. Location.

In 2002, Carlos Alcàcer and Conxita Vilarmau decided to develop a project in the DO Empordà. the goal was to produce wines with personality and the highest quality that reflected the land. AV Bodeguers was the result of that effort!

Their efforts were helped immensely by their location. The vineyards, consisting of 3 estates has slate soil which aids drainage. The vines have to develop deep roots to survive on this land. Add to that a very Mediterranean climate. Also, interesting in this environment is the dry and strong wind coming from the North called Tramuntana which helps reduce the amount of microorganisms in the vineyards, keeping them health in a natural and organic way. On the other hand the gentle breeze blowing during the afternoon moderates the temperatures, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and achieve amazing balance.

Turtles on the label are again another link to their terroir given that throughout their vineyards there actually exists ground turtles which are a protected species. The vineyards of AV Bodeguers are planted in an area called Albera. The Albera hills are in fact the natural frontier with France. Very close to Vilamaniscle (the town where the cellar is located) there is also a rehabilitation centre for injured turtles. It is not unusual to come across some of these beautiful turtles while working in the vineyards! Having turtles among the vineyards was one of the powerful reasons that lead them to move towards producing organic wines in order to preserve the natural diversity of the land.

Two kinds of wines are made here – Suneus and Nereus. Both names are derived from Greek mythology because the vineyards and cellar are located at 20 minutes time from the very first place where the ancient Greeks landed on the Iberian Peninsula. In fact, in that place, there are still a good amount of ruins of the old Greek town called Empuries (derived from Emporio). Suneus means sunrise in ancient greek and Nereus is the God of the Mediterranean sea and the father of the Nereids (sea nymphs)

Try these wines to see why history, culture, organic cultivation and soil makes some of the most delicious wines from Spain!