Casa del Valle

Casa del Valle farms at Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha, on the high plain south of Madrid.

Castilla-La Mancha is the largest continuous vineyard region on earth, roughly half a million hectares, and it produces more wine than most countries. The plateau sits at 600 to 700 metres, which is the saving grace: days are punishingly hot but nights fall away sharply, and that swing is what allows the grapes to hold acidity. Rainfall is minimal, so vines are widely spaced and dry-farmed.

Airen is the region's traditional white grape and one of the most planted varieties in the world, almost all of it here. It is drought-resistant and productive, historically distilled into brandy, and made carefully it gives a clean, neutral, refreshing white. The Antina wines pair it and Tempranillo with international varieties.