Bodegas Fontana makes six million bottles of wine annually – and can still pinpoint where every single organically-grown grape comes from. The estate is led by Andreas Kubach and Sam Harrop, two Masters of Wine also behind Bideona, Mayela, and Península Vinicultores. Their vision for Bodegas Fontana is simple: to make affordable wines of outstanding quality that defy the price point.

To that end, Bodegas Fontana sources 600 hectares of organically grown, pesticide-free grapes from estate vineyards studded with centenary oak trees in Uclés, a small appellation in Castilla-La Mancha. Uclés has a continental climate with sunny days and cool nights, allowing for intense, varietal definition while retaining remarkable freshness. As demand surpassed supply, Andreas and Sam source additional grapes from grower partners. In essence, Bodegas Fontana works within the negociant model, but they’re not a co-op; they control all their vineyards, ensuring that they are grown organically and with yield and irrigation limits. Through the climate, land, and culture of this special country, they aim to express vitality, intensity, and harmony.

The lineup includes three wines in their ‘Mesta’ range: a Verdejo, a Rosado, and a Tempranillo. The ‘Mesta’ was a powerful association of shepherds in medieval Castile, controlling the routes for herding sheep across the country. Bodegas Fontana’s vineyards are nestled deep in the land of the Mesta and are still passed over by flocks on their annual migration, a reminder of ancient rights and a cultural cue for continuing co-existence with nature. The wines’ sheep-riddled labels are a testament to this history and the estate’s connection to local traditions. In the cellar, all decisions are made for the wine’s provenance to shine, not its winemaking process The focus is on drinkability and freshness; consequently, no oak is used. These are varietally expressive wines that ooze freshness, balance and value.

Bodegas Fontana is proof that ‘volume’ isn’t a dirty word. Through organic viticulture and respectful winemaking, they produce wines of great purity, reflecting the unique personality of their high-elevation land and grape varieties. These are unequivocally some of the most honest weeknight wines being made in Spain today.