Caperucita
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
Among the century-old vines in our vineyards in La Seca, a plant different from the rest appeared by chance. Its clusters, the way it budded and ripened, did not match any of the varieties we had identified. From there began the less visible, but most important part: years of observation in the vineyard, selection of plant material and micro-vinifications to confirm whether we were truly facing something different.
The result is Caperucita, a new native variety linked to our vineyards and currently in the process of official registration as a new grapevine variety in Spain under this name.
As we once did with Malcorta or Cenicienta, Caperucita was born from that mix of curiosity, patience and respect for old vines that defines the Javier Sanz Viticultor project.
A UNIQUE CLONE
Caperucita originates from a single vine found in one of our old plots. From it, we selected and multiplied the plant material, confirming harvest after harvest that its characteristics remained stable and that it was not just a temporary variation, but rather a true identity of its own.
Analyses and fieldwork have confirmed that we are dealing with distinct genetic material, with clearly recognizable vineyard behaviour and wine profile. Today, Caperucita is still cultivated on very small surfaces, in controlled plots, which allows us to continue studying it in detail before taking bigger steps.
GRAPE CHARACTERISTICS
Caperucita shows a slow ripening cycle, which helps preserve freshness and acidity even in warm vintages. It is a variety with moderate growth and medium-sized, well-aerated clusters, which favour excellent grape health.
Among the traits that interest us most in the winery are:
Good adaptability to La Seca’s continental climate.
A balanced relationship between sugar and acidity, key to producing wines that are vibrant yet approachable.
A clean and well-defined aromatic profile, expressed clearly even in very low-intervention vinifications.
All of this makes it a highly valuable candidate at a time when we need varieties capable of maintaining freshness without losing ripeness.
WHAT DOES A CAPERUCITA WINE TASTE LIKE?
Caperucita is still a project under development, but its wines are beginning to reveal a personality of their own:
Aromas of fresh fruit (nuances of juicy fruit and citrus touches), with subtle herbal and floral notes.
A balanced and flavoursome palate, with well-defined acidity that extends the finish.
Medium body, enveloping texture and a clean, refreshing and very drinkable finish.
Depending on the winemaking style—whether young, very direct wines or versions with more work on lees and/or ageing—Caperucita can show itself as more relaxed and fruity or more serious and gastronomic. In any case, it always maintains a common thread: freshness, aromatic clarity and a sense of balance that invites you to keep drinking.
It pairs especially well with tapas, rice dishes and Mediterranean cuisine.
