Do you want to try something truly unique?
Wines from unique and distinctive grape varieties at Javier Sanz winery
In the world of wine, it’s easy to get lost among labels that promise “singularity,” “authenticity,” or “special editions.” But… how many times, when you taste the glass, do you feel like you’re drinking “more of the same”?
At Javier Sanz Viticultor, we faced this question years ago and the answer was clear: if we want to be different, what makes us different has to be real. Native varieties, almost-forgotten grapes, vines that were close to disappearing and that today are coming back to life in La Seca thanks to serious research and dedicated work in the vineyard and the winery.
Our motto sums it up perfectly:
“The unique is hidden between the things that exist and the things I imagine.”
In this article, we’ll tell you what our recovered unique varieties are, why they matter (even if you’re not a sommelier), and which wines to choose if you want to taste something genuinely different.
What a “unique variety” means to us (and what it doesn’t)
The word “unique” has been used so much in marketing that it has almost lost its meaning. That’s why, before talking about specific wines, it’s worth clarifying what we mean by unique varieties.
At Javier Sanz Viticultor, a unique variety is not simply a “little-known grape.” To be considered one of our unique varieties, it must meet at least these requirements:
- Native or historically rooted in our land: varieties that were born in, or have been adapted for centuries to, Castilla y León and/or our environment in La Seca. It’s not about “importing trends,” but about highlighting our own genetic heritage.
- Minority, extinct, or at risk of disappearing: grapes that were almost no longer planted because they were difficult to work in the vineyard or not profitable enough, but that offer an exceptional aromatic and structural character.
- Recovered and studied with rigor: behind them are years of work, searching old vineyards, collaborating with universities and research centers, plant health and genetic studies, and winemaking trials until finding the best way to express them in the glass.
- Linked to a specific wine with a coherent story: if we put the variety name on the label, it’s because it has a real story behind it, and because when you taste the wine, you can tell that grape is in control. It’s not just decoration for a technical sheet.
What a unique variety is not for us:
- It’s not a “rare grape” for show that no one actually enjoys drinking.
- It’s not a marketing decision that doesn’t match the reality of the vineyard or winery.
- It’s not a one-off experiment with no future.
Why should you care? (even if you’re not a wine expert)
You might think: “This all sounds great, but I just want to open a good bottle and enjoy it with friends.” Perfect—that’s exactly where singular varieties make the difference:
- Flavors you won’t find in the supermarket. By working with varieties outside the standard, the aromatic profile changes: different fruit notes, different acidity, different texture. These are wines that, without being complicated, don’t taste like the usual ones.
- More history in every bottle. Behind these wines are families of winegrowers, old vineyards, and bold decisions: planting a grape that almost no one grows, spending years cleaning it and vinifying it, committing to limited production. You feel it when someone tells you the story of the wine… and when you share it at the table.
- Support for the land and biodiversity. By choosing wines made from recovered varieties, you help preserve the genetic heritage of the vine and keep alive a family-run winery model in La Seca, with a real commitment to the region, stable employment, and sustainability.
- Behind every bottle there is an enormous amount of work: searching for rare vines, investing in R&D, producing limited quantities, and the dedication of a fifth generation of winegrowers who don’t make “mass-produced” wine. Every vintage is different and every wine is unique.
How a nearly extinct grape variety is recovered (without technical jargon)
Behind a wine made from a singular variety there is no magic—there is method. In a simplified way, the journey usually looks like this:
- Searching old vineyards. It starts in the field: isolated vines in historic vineyards, small family plots, plants that stand out because of their color, their behavior, or their bunches. These vines are marked and studied.
- Confirming they are truly different. Working with universities and research centers, we confirm whether the plant is a known variety, a different clone, or something genuinely unique with winemaking potential.
- Sanitary cleaning and propagation. For a variety to have a future, it must be healthy: work is done to eliminate viruses and plant diseases through thermotherapy and other techniques, and clean plants are multiplied to be grafted into new experimental plots.
- Years of micro-vinifications. Before reaching the market, that grape goes through several harvests of trials: small tanks, different winemaking techniques, internal tastings, and adjustments. It’s not enough for the grape to be “rare”—it must create a wine that excites.
- Registration and protection. Once the variety proves its potential, legal steps are taken (varietal registration, protection of knowledge).
- Launch. The final stage, where we define how it will be introduced to the market, starting with the label design.
The result is wines that no one else can make exactly the same, because they come from a grape and a research process that are truly our own.
Our unique and distinctive varieties
Malcorta: the untamed Verdejo that came back to stay
Malcorta is one of the clearest examples of our DNA as a winery. For years it was almost discarded because of how difficult it was in the vineyard: very woody bunches that were “hard to cut” during harvest—hence its name. But that inconvenience hid a treasure: a different expression of Verdejo, with brighter acidity, more tension, and great aging potential. In 2026 we are selling Malcorta from 2014, and yes—it is a white wine that improves with time.
Today, Malcorta has become one of the wines that best represents who we are: varietal research, risk-taking, and a white wine that doesn’t resemble the standard bar-style Verdejo.
It’s an ideal wine if:
- You enjoy Verdejo, but want to go one step further.
- You’re looking for a white wine with energy, bottle evolution, and a personality of its own.
- You want to taste a variety that was almost lost… and is now back in your glass.
Paraje La Encina (Bruñal): the character of a singular red grape in a specific place
Paraje La Encina brings together two ideas: a minority red grape variety (Bruñal) recovered from Arribes del Duero, and a specific vineyard plot that gives the wine its name. The goal is clear: to craft an author-style red wine and rosé that tells a story of both origin and variety.
Bruñal contributes:
- Deep color intensity.
- Bold fruit, with hints of scrubland and spices.
- Structure, but with a freshness that makes it gastronomic rather than heavy.
It’s a perfect red wine for:
- Food lovers who want to move beyond the “Tempranillo–Garnacha–Cabernet” trio.
- Pairing with meats, short stews, and flavorful dishes, without losing agility on the palate.
- Restaurants looking for a rare but highly drinkable red wine to stand out on their wine list.
Colorado and Cenicienta: the other side of our reds
In a winery best known for its whites, our reds and rosés play a very special role. Colorado, made with Cenicienta, comes from a nearly extinct red variety, crafted outside the usual paths of the D.O., with full freedom to experiment with maceration, color, and style.
- Cenicienta shows its most delicate side: a red wine with more complexity than expected, perfect for pairing from appetizers to main dishes.
These wines are designed for people who say:
“I want a different wine, but I want it to be easy to drink and not feel like a strange experiment.”
Dulce de Invierno (Grossa de Moldavia): a sweet wine that doesn’t overwhelm
Sweet wines tend to divide people: you either love them or avoid them. Dulce de Invierno aims to bring many people back to this category. We work with a variety, Grossa de Moldavia, adapted to our vineyards and combined with other white grapes to create a wine that is:
- Aromatic, full of fruit and floral nuances.
- Sweet, yes, but with enough acidity to avoid being cloying.
- Ideal for desserts, blue cheeses, or simply to finish a meal with a different kind of glass.
It’s an excellent gateway into the world of singular varieties if opening a “non-standard” red or white still feels intimidating.
Varieties to come: the future in the vineyard
Beyond the varieties you can already find in our range, there are other grapes still in trial stages: white varieties with naturally lower alcohol, nearly disappeared versions of historic grapes from Castilla y León, and even projects for new plantings.
Not all of them will become bottled wines. Some will be left behind because, even if they are extremely rare, they do not reach the level of quality we demand. But they are part of what defines us:
- R&D with purpose: we don’t develop a new variety “just because,” but only when it makes sense in the glass and in the winery.
- Long-term vision: planting a different variety today means thinking about how we want wine to be enjoyed in 10, 20, or 30 years.
How to choose your first unique-variety wine
If you feel like taking the leap but don’t know where to start, here’s a quick guide based on your profile:
1. “I want to discover something new, but without overthinking it”
- Start with Malcorta if you usually drink Rueda whites and want something with more tension and complexity.
- Try Dulce de Invierno if you enjoy aromatic wines and don’t mind a balanced touch of sweetness.
2. “I’m a foodie and I want to surprise at a dinner at home”
- Paraje La Encina and our rosé (Bruñal) for a casual shared table: white meats, rice dishes, fusion cuisine…
- Cenicienta for a meal with meats, stews, or hearty comfort food.
3. “I work in hospitality or I’m an advanced wine lover”
- Create a tasting of Javier Sanz’s singular varieties: Malcorta, Paraje La Encina, Colorado, Dulce de Invierno… It’s a powerful way to build a story for a wine list or specialized store around recovered and author-style varieties.
Frequently asked questions about native varieties and singular wines
Is a native variety the same as a recovered variety?
Not always. A native variety is one that has historically developed and adapted to a specific region.
A recovered variety is a grape that, being native or deeply rooted in the region, was close to disappearing (because it stopped being planted) and is now cultivated again thanks to rescue and research work.
In our case, many of our unique varieties are both: native and recovered.
Are singular-variety wines more expensive?
They usually have a higher price than large-volume wines, yes. The reason is not only their rarity, but also:
- Years of selection and trial work in the vineyard and the winery.
- Smaller plots with lower yields.
- Carefully crafted winemaking processes designed to bring out the best in an uncommon grape.
- A concentration of quality, flavor, and aroma that you will only find in Javier Sanz wines.
What dishes can I pair these wines with?
- Malcorta: fatty fish, seafood, moderately spicy Asian cuisine, semi-aged cheeses.
- Paraje La Encina: rice dishes, Mediterranean cuisine, tapas, vegetables with sauces, fusion food.
- Colorado (Cenicienta): red and white meats, hearty stews, mild game dishes, mushrooms.
- Dulce de Invierno: creamy desserts, chocolate with a touch of acidity, blue cheeses, or a simple cheese board.
Where can I buy these wines?
- In our online store and through the network of restaurants and specialized shops that support author-style wines and unique varieties.
- Some references from Colección V (singular varieties) are reserved exclusively for members of the Javier Sanz Club, with priority access to new releases and limited editions.
One final toast: true uniqueness
In a market saturated with similar messages, our obsession is to make sure what sets us apart is tangible: unique grapes, real research, and wines that excite when you drink them—not just when you read about them on the label.
If you feel like stepping off the beaten path, Javier Sanz’s singular varieties are the perfect gateway: wines from a family winery in La Seca, committed to its land, crafting wine not only for today, but with the legacy it leaves in the vineyard and the region in mind.
Your next bottle can be something familiar… or it can be unforgettable. Javier Sanz’s unique varieties are made for the latter.
