The Castaño family are the original pioneers of the DO Yecla, beginning with Ramon Castaño. His conviction, perseverance and determination have all been necessary in achieving the highest quality wine with the most planted grape variety in the area: the Monastrell. Ramon's relationship with the world of wines dates back several generations with a family history of vine cultivation and winemakers. He built the new winery in 1950, modernizing and upgrading the technical methods by which the family vines were worked, and bottled the first wines in 1980. The gradual incorporation of his three sons into the family winery throughout the period of the 80s brought with it a new focus: to reinforce their presence in the national market and begin a new stage of expansion at the international level. With this, the Castaños continued to innovate and improve the reputation of Monastrell from Yecla in domestic and export markets.
The 500+ hectares of vineyards are grouped into four estates – Las Gruesas, El Espinal, Pozuelo and Arabí – with soils ranging from rocky limestone to clay. The primary grape is Monastrell followed in importance by Garnacha Tintorera and Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are also smaller plantings of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Garnacha, Macabeo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The impressive size of Bodegas Castaño allows for individualized and specialized fermentation, which in turn facilitates a more dynamic winemaking approach.
Bodegas Castaño is now recognized as one of the most respected wine producers in Southeastern Spain in recognition for their tradition and achievements in the use of the indigenous grape varieties. With a clear innovative spirit, the Castaño family has incorporated avant-garde technologies and the latest vinification systems to keep alive the legacy of their ancestors, an inherited passion for the deeply rooted Monastrell, the king variety in Yecla.
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2015 Solanera used to wear the ultimate Spanglish label, which said "Viñas Viejas of Monastrell" even if it was always a blend
Winery Notes "Murcia, the land that stretches from the northeastern border of Andalusia to the southwestern edge of Valencia, is blessed with a warm, dry, Mediterranean
Jeb Dunnuck 91 "A custom cuvée made for importer Eric Solomon with Jean-Marc Lafage, the 2016 Alcaria is a blend of 50% Monastrell, 25% Syrah, and
Robert Parker 91 "The basic offering from proprietor Ramon Castano Santa, who owns a whopping 1,000 acres in Yecla, is the 2012 Hecula, which is sourced
Robert Parker 91 "The 2005 Solanera is a blend of 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Tintorera raised in French oak. More complex than its
Robert Parker 94 "Even more remarkable is the 2012 Solanera Vinas Viejas, a blend of 70% Mourvedre, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Grenache aged 10 months
Robert Parker 92 " Even better is the 2013 Solanera is a “Vinas Viejas” that differs from the Castano (100% Monastrell), as this blend is 70%
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2013 Hecula, which comes from 60- to 80-year old non-irrigated vines planted in pure limestone soils, is a cuvée of 12,000 cases.
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2015 Hécula is pure old-vine Monastrell from dry-farmed, head-pruned vineyards on limestone soils within their Las Gruesas and Pozuelo estates in the
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