Grape Varietals and Availability as of March, 2024

AVAILABLE TONS: 6-8 tons

Albariño is one of the most distinctive white wine grapes from Spain. Its heartlands are in Galacia, and in Portugal`s Vinho Verde region. Its thick skin enables it to withstand various climates.  High quality Albariño dominated wines are intensely aromatic and redolent of peaches, apricots and almonds on the palate. They have the ability to age gracefully and many growers are now experimenting with oak maturation.  

AVAILABLE TONS: 3 tons

Godello is a white grape variety primarily found in northwest Spain and northern Portugal. We at Metate Hill Vineyards are the sole proprietor of the first and only certified rootstock of Godello in the United States. The grape is capable of producing very fine white wines, and it is in the Valdeorras region that its greatest successes are seen, leading to a steady increase in plantings and great interest in establishing Godello in  California. Godello combines the structure of white burgundy with the finesse of a juicily mineral grape.

AVAILABLE TONS: 3 tons

Treixadura is another white grape variety primarily found in northwest Spain and northern Portugal. We at Metate Hill Vineyards are the sole proprietor of the first and only certified rootstock of  in the United States. Refined and smooth, the Treixadura grape is a white grape, the jewel of the Ribeiro vineyard. It sprouts and ripens slowly, therefore it is sensitive to altitude. It is grown mainly in valleys and slopes which are well-orientated. It is slightly vigorous and its excellent quality production goes from 4.5 - 6 tons/acre.

AVAILABLE TONS: 6-8 tons

Garnacha/Grenache (Noir) is widely grown and comes in a variety of styles. Believed to originate in Spain, it was, in the late 20th century, the most widely planted black grape variety in the world. 

AVAILABLE TONS: 4-6 tons

Graciano is the noble grape from the La Rioja that stands alongside more popular Tempranillo and Garnacha.  However one would argue that Graciano provides the highest quality wine of the three.  Yields are notably smaller but certainly lead to more concentrated flavors of blueberry and plum with strong acidity and age-ability.

AVAILABLE TONS: 8-10 tons total - 3 clones

Tempranillo-based wines tend to have a spicy, herbal, tobacco-like character accompanied by ripe strawberry and red cherry fruits. It produces fresh, vibrantly fruit driven "jovenes" meant for drinking young. However Tempranillo really comes into its own when oak aged, as with the top Riojas  where its flavors seem to harmonize perfectly with both French and American oak, producing rich, powerful and concentrated wines which can be extraordinarily long-lived. We grow three clones from varied Spanish regions; the Duero, Toro, and Tinto Roriz clones.