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The Cigales wine region is situated in the province of Valladolid and Palencia and covers an area of 2,800 hectares. The Cigales wine region consists of 34 vineyards (Bodegas), which produce 75,000 hl of wine annually.

The district of Cigales, which holds the Designation of Origin, runs along the northern sector of the Depression of the Duero, covering an area of 574 km_ on both sides of the River Pisuerga. The vineyards are situated at an average altitude of 750 metres and they cover an area which spans from the city of Valladolid (“El Berrocal” Vineyard) to the town of Dueñas in the province of Palencia, including Cabezón de Pisuerga, Cigales, Corcos del Valle, Cubillas de Santa Marta, Fuensaldaña, Mucientes, Quintanilla de Trigueros, San Martin de Valvení, Trigueros del Valle and Valoria la Buena.

Its climate corresponds to the continental climate with an Atlantic influence and strong thermal oscillations, both during the day and throughout the year. It is characterized by its irregular rainfall and intense summer drought; the winters are harsh and long with frost and frequent fog with the prevalence of Westerly and Southwesterly winds.

The average annual number of hours of sunshine is 2,616, with a maximum of 371 hours in July, and a minimum of 87 hours in December. The average annual rainfall is 407 mm which is distributed over 93 days a year. The average annual temperature is 12.2° C, with thermal cycling that varies between 39 and -6° C.

Vineyards are usually planted in the traditional 'en vaso' (head-pruned) system, while newer vineyards, largely planted with Tinta del Pais, may be espalier-trained and sometimes irrigated. The harvest has been brought forward in recent years and usually starts on or around the 26th September.

Vine varieties

Red:

Tinta del País (Tempranillo), Garnacha and Garnacha Gris.

White:

Albillo and Verdejo