For lovers of new-guard Garnacha, the work of Bárbara Requejo Frutos needs no introduction; but—as her 5th vintage shows perhaps more than ever—the work continues to evolve, surprise, and deeply delight.

In the past, we've often contextualized these wines with references to the northern Rhône's granitic drive, and the refinement of Château Rayas; but, increasingly, the reputation and terroir specificity of Sierra de Gredos stand alone. And while foundational estates like Comando G continue to loom large, there is perhaps no work pushing the appellation forward more than Las Pedreras.

We recently tasted the current release over the course of three days, waves of confirmation that the '24s (and the freshest from '25) are Bárbara's most dynamic and diverse range yet. This release sees the top wines now raised in Stockinger, adding a level of finesse and detail; and the wines speak more than ever to the sheer variety of granite-based soils here. Though (almost all) Garnacha, the range is a kaleidoscope of expressions—from the silty texture of sandier granite terroir, to the signature sinew and strength of rockier sites.

The wines have been head-turners from day one, but the depth of terroir translation is now impressively deep. We revisit the story and details on each cuvée below.

EST. 2020

Winemaker Bárbara Requejo Frutos is now synonymous with Gredos; but landing in the appellation was by serendipity, not design. As a young winemaking talent originally from Ribera del Duero, she had an impressive stretch working with the world's greats: Haut-Brion, Pierre Peters, Peay Vineyards, Quartz Reef.

Grenache was far from her focus until 2020, when lockdown found her unexpectedly grounded in Gredos' Villanueva de Ávila (population 50-ish)—where her husband (the also very talented, chef Guzmán Sánchez de la Parra) owns the region's preeminent restaurant, La Querencia. With the restaurant temporarily closed, they both found distraction in his family's vines, becoming quickly immersed in reviving abandoned parcels all over the region. Of course, they would make wine, too; and in 2022 the couple planted the appellation's first new vines in some 100 years.

One of their parcels in Gredos, the highest elevation site for Grenache anywhere in the world.

"It doesn't feel like you are working with one grape," Bárbara mused in a visit last year; not only because Grenache intensely reflects the characteristics of each site (aspect, depth of topsoil, varying sizes of quartz), but each vineyard has also developed such distinct genetic material that the clones here really do function as different grapes.

Granite famously tempers hefty fruit, and Bárbara's hand in the cellar is a natural extension: her extremely careful inclusion of whole clusters varies significantly by parcel (in some cases, fully destemmed) and is never for style—always for optimal clarity of fruit. 2024 saw especially low yields; concentrated fruit with intense aromatic complexity, which—layered with that extra finesse of élevage in Stockinger—makes this an especially long-lived set of wines.

WHITE + ROSÉ:

2025 Las Pedreras 'Arquitón' Rosado, $34
The original cuvée that Bárbara and Guzmán made in 2020, from 70+ year old vines destemmed, directly pressed and aged in old oak. Serious and delicious at the same time, guava-and-cheese gives way to salty minerality.

2025 Las Pedreras 'Linarejos' Albillo, $45
The sole white wine in the lineup is still quite special, from 100+ year old vines. Albillo Real sees 3 days of skin contact, barrel fermentation and a fascinating addition of Manzanilla—all to bring energy and texture to the local variety's tiny, opulent grapes (beloved by the birds!).

GARNACHA:

2024 Las Pedreras 'Los Arroyuelos', $33
A detailed, joyous village wine, all from 70+ year old vines grown in sandy granite at 900-1170m elevation. Fermented separately and aged in a mix of stainless steel and used French oak. Powerful but cooling mountain wine.

2024 Las Pedreras 'Corral de Gargantilla', $65
80+ year old Garnacha with a touch of Trebbiano and Listán Prieto, from a historic single vineyard (1,050m altitude) with a unique mix of soils: local 'pizarra' schist, clay and granitic sand. Fermented in concrete with 30% whole clusters, aged a full year in used 500L Stockinger. Multidimensional, perfumed expression of Garnacha.

2024 Las Pedreras 'Las Ánimas', $74
100% Garnacha from three 80+ year old parcels, all tucked into the secluded, forested (and quite cold at 1,170m) paraje Las Herguiejuelas; fully destemmed and fermented together, aged 9 months in one 500L Stockinger and one 225L Sylvain barrel. One of the parcels was planted by Guzman’s great grandmother, with many of the vines rooted straight into granite. Concentrated fruit that calls to mind brandied cherries, balanced by significant rocky minerality—truly special wine.

2024 Las Pedreras 'Pelito Lindo', $104
100% Garnacha from 80+ year old vines in two parcels with granitic sand, 1,050m altitude in the highly sought-after paraje Navahondilla. The site is known for tense, structured fruit, here fermented with 30% whole clusters and an extended maceration (two additional weeks). Aged 10 months in one 500L Stockinger and two 225L Sylvain barrels. The most grippy, visceral wine in the lineup, waves of sinewy fruit that channels this intense and special place.

Guzmán and Bárbara in Navahondilla, the first day they picked grapes here in 2021; photo via @laspedreras.villanuevadeavila

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