Taste the wines that are forcing the world to reconsider Spanish Garnacha. Once known for cheap bulk wine, Sierra de Gredos is now producing wines critics compare to Burgundy. Old vines (50-80+ years), granite soils, high altitude, biodynamic farming. Comando G, Bernabeleva, Daniel Landi, Bodega Marañones - the revolution in your glass.
What to do there
4 things to do
Order Comando G 'La Bruja' — the wine that 'forced those who did not believe Spanish Garnacha could be refined and cool to reconsider.' Find a natural wine bar with good Gredos selection (GOTA, Bendito, or arrange a private tasting) and ask specifically for La Bruja (€8-12/glass, €25-35/bottle). Notice the herbal sapidity from 100% whole bunch fermentation.
Backup:Any Comando G wine will demonstrate the style - La Bruja is just the entry point.
Taste wines from different Gredos villages: Villanueva, Navatalgordo, Rozas — like Burgundy, each village has distinct character etched by granite vs slate vs quartz soils. Ask for a 'flight of Gredos villages' at the same location or visit a wine shop with tasting options. Compare three different producers to understand how terroir shapes the same grape variety.
Backup:Even comparing two different producers shows the range.
Ask about Daniel Landi and Fernando García — childhood friends who returned home after oenology studies and put a forgotten mountain region on the world fine wine map. Say 'Cuéntame la historia de Comando G' to any knowledgeable staff member who pours these wines; they know the story of how two locals became international wine legends.
Backup:Wine Searcher and Decanter have extensive profiles on Comando G.
If you visited Bernabeleva earlier, compare their wine to Comando G side by side — the first Comando G wines were made at Bernabeleva's facility, so you're tasting shared DNA with distinct expressions. Order both at the same tasting location and notice the similar elegance but different personalities.
Backup:Ask staff which Gredos producer they personally prefer and why.
