About Us
About the region of Castilla y León
Castilla y León has 80,000 hectares dedicated to wine production (6% of the national total). It ranks fourth in terms of grape production in Spain and is home to more than 600 wineries that are flourishing thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of 18,500 producers of fine wines. The autonomous community boasts 14 Designations of Origin (DOs). There is also a specific quality seal for the entire territory: the Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
Our region comprises a vast agricultural space dotted with vineyards, large clusters of which are grouped around the principal river, the Douro, where some of the world’s best known wines are produced.
The passion for winemaking is nothing new in this region. Indeed, evidence of this activity in the lands that today form the DO Ribera del Duero dates back to the days before the Romans.
The DO Rueda with its white wines made from the Verdejo or Sauvignon varieties ranks amongst the finest white wine producing regions in the world.
The wines of El Bierzo are characteristic of the magnificent Mencía grape variety, which adds notes of originality and complexity to Castilla y León’swine scene with some truly irresistible wines.
In recent years Toro has become another major driving force for the mid-Douro reds, produced from its own unique variety: Tinta de Toro.
Arribes boasts a unique landscape,nestling in the vast Douro ravine and is home to a number of distinctive wines noted for the character of some of the principal red grape varieties such as Juan García and Rufete.
The DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora,with its local (Tempranillo) red wine, is noted for its long-standing winemaking tradition in an area that extends across parts of the provinces of Zamora and Salamanca.
The DO León also covers several provinces; although it is located mainly in León, it also touches a small section of the province of Valladolid. The principal and best-known variety of red grape is the autochthonous Prieto Picudo, which produces excellent reds, but in particular truly stunning aromatic rosé wines.
Arlanza covers areas of the provinces of Palencia and Burgos. It produces mainly red wines using the Tempranillo variety. Yet there are also a further four áreas regulated: Valles de Benavente in Zamora, Valtiendas in Segovia, Sierra in Salamanca and Cebreros in Ávila, which currently holds Designation of Origin status.
Such is the wealth and diversity of the region’s winemaking sector that mention must also be made of other outstanding areas that are producing intriguing wines. Examples include Sardón-Tudela de Duero area in the province of Valladolid, as well as scattered areas of land that traditionally produced the dry white “Chacoli” wine situated in the north of the province of Burgos. Nor must we forget the area known as Ternero, in the province of Burgos, which is included in the Rioja Designation of Origin.
About the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICECYL)
The Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castilla y León (ICECYL) is a government agency dedicated to fostering economic growth and supporting the internationalization of companies from Castilla y León. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, ICECYL empowers local businesses to expand their global footprint, promotes innovation, and facilitates access to new markets. Committed to enhancing the region’s economic development and competitiveness, ICECYL offers a comprehensive range of resources and support, from export assistance to business development programs, helping to elevate the global presence of Castilla y León’s industries, including its renowned food and wine sectors.
