Agustín Santolaya, director general of The Bodega LA HORRA: “ The aid of CDTI Innovation allow us to contribute to the conservation of genetic biodiversity of the wine sector ”
Since its establishment in 2009, The Bodega LA HORRA has been characterized by its continued concern innovative in the development of high quality wine, a clear reflection of vineyards and landscapes of Ribera del Duero burgalesa. In his last project co-financed by the CDTI Innovation, collaborates in the development of a methodology for selection policlonal to conserve genetic biodiversity Red grapes of the country and make it more sustainable and resistant to climate change
Agustín Santolaya, agricultural technical engineer and general manager of the company, ensures that: “ Bodegas RODA, after more than 20 years that have become one of the most prestigious wine cellars of the D.O. La Rioja, initiated an investigation through the spanish territory in search of the best land for cultivation of Tempranillo outside the Rioja ”.
“ the region who showed great features is the area of Horra, in the province of Burgos, an area with long tradition in the vine growing stretching back to the time prerromana ”.
“ this was the chosen place for that, in april 2009, was born The Bodega LA HORRA with the intention of producing CORIMBO and CORIMBO I, wines with nature, enjoyable and elegant that are among the best Ribera del Duero ”
The vineyard of Biogerm project
“ our wines transmits sensations of a landscape and climate added. This is why our aim was to develop reds, by colour, smell and flavor, texture, have a great acceptance in the market ”.
Winemaking Corimbo
Regenerative viticulture.
Historically, the vine growing has been linked to culture, economy and the identity of many territories. Spain has the largest growing vines globally and is the biggest exporter of wine. However, climate change, with their heat waves, prolonged droughts and extreme events, has become a threat to the agri-food sector and, in particular, the vines that because of his sensitivity, are considered an early indicator of global warming.
The effects of climate change are highly significant: the harvests are ahead, the grapes ripen faster and organoleptic profiles of some of the wines are changing. In this context, technological innovation and the recovery of the genetic biodiversity are identified as key tools for the sector not only suited to the challenges of climate change, but also find opportunities for reinvention and resilience.
“ The regenerative viniculture goes beyond sustainability: it is not just about reducing the environmental impact, but to reverse the damage caused. The vineyard ceases to be a passive victim of climate change to become active agents in the regeneration of ecosystems ”.
“ another positive aspect is that spain has a wealth of autochthonous varieties that is a great competitive advantage in the future. In Addition, the momentum of viticulture, innovation projects genetics and consumer interest in sustainable wines are opening new windows of opportunity for the sector ”.
“ i would like to stress that in The Bodega LA HORRA we are committed to the conservation of genetic biodiversity of the vine through several research and innovation. One of the most prominent is the project Biogerm, also funded by the CDTI Innovation, which began in 2013. On that occasion we collect maximum genetic diversity of the variety in the country's near the Horra. Our purpose was to select a group of plants of this variety that could be successful in meeting the challenges of climate change ”.
Range of wines Corimbo
Genetic biodiversity
“ In 2023 we started, with the financial support from the CDTI Innovation and the FEDER Eureka, a project in collaboration with the Vitiviniculture Cooperative Arousana SCG and Moët Hennessy Spain, S.A.U. and entities Sogrape Vinhos S.A. and the brazilian Portuguese Diversidade da Videira to for enhancing biodiversity and resistance of the vineyards of the iberian peninsula through an innovative methodology for selection policlonal. This project focuses on seven key iberian varieties: albariño, arinto, godello, sercial, from ovelha, rufete and tempranillo. The selection policlonal allows the coexistence of several clones Optimal in the same vineyard, encouraging the genetic diversity and improving the adaptation of the vineyards to adverse weather conditions, especially in the context of the impact of climate change ”.
“ but, as i mentioned before, it is not the only project funded by grants from the CDTI Innovation and the FEDER founds. In 2017 started another development astringencia to reduce our high end we saw in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and improve their perception "taste.
“ These initiatives reflect the compromise we have with sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage and grants from the CDTI Innovation allow us to contribute significantly to the conservation of genetic biodiversity of the wine sector ”.
Room of upbringing
Commercial impact
“ once the end of this development will perform plantations based on characteristics edafoclimáticas and type of wine. The selection policlonal will be an essential tool to maintain the bodegas some parameters of the wines such as the acidity and alcohol, for example, at appropriate levels. On the other hand, we will also be able to establish a new line of activity aimed at the marketing of clones recovered ”.
Currently, The Bodega LA HORRA exports 30 per cent of their production from 64 countries and, in the short term, hopes to increase its turnover abroad.
“ we live in a decisive moment for the sector. The challenge is immense, but also large opportunities. Spain has a good climate, tradition and Unique varieties. If these elements are combined with science and innovation, the spanish wine could lead a new era in the world wine ”.
CDTI Innovation
The centre for technological development and innovation, CDTI E.P.E. is a public company under the ministry of Science, innovation and universities, whose goal is the promotion of technological innovation in business. The CDTI mission is to ensure that the business fabric english generates and transform knowledge into growth científico-técnico globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive. By 2024, within the framework of a new strategic plan, the CDTI provided more than $2.3 billion euros of support for business startups and spain.
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