Bodegas Ponce
Juan Antonio Ponce has become the leading authority on Bobal, a variety long dismissed as a rustic workhorse for bulk wine. Based in the high-altitude plateau of Manchuela, south of Madrid, Ponce has spent two decades proving that when treated with the same reverence as Grand Cru Burgundy or Northern Rhône Syrah, these old, dry-grown vines produce some of the most elegant reds in Spain.
The Ponce style is defined by a deep respect for heritage and a specific winemaking philosophy shaped by his time in France. He works exclusively with his family’s ancient vineyards, some over 80 years old, situated at elevations of 800 meters and higher. The limestone and clay soils provide a distinct mineral skeleton, while the cool nights at this altitude preserve the natural acidity that makes his wines so nimble.
In the cellar, Ponce utilizes 100% whole-bunch fermentation and carbonic maceration - techniques he brought back from Beaujolais. This approach strips away the heavy, tannic reputation of the Bobal grape, replacing it with bright perfume, crunchy fruit, and fine-grained texture. Winemaking is stripped-back and traditional, using indigenous yeasts and maturation in large, seasoned oak vats rather than small new barrels to ensure the site and vintage speak louder than the wood.
Despite massive critical acclaim, Ponce remains committed to affordability. These are artisanal, low-yield wines that offer what many critics consider the best quality-to-price ratio in the Old World. From the high-energy "entry" wines to the pinnacle single-parcel releases, Ponce has successfully redefined the potential of Spanish Mediterranean viticulture, creating sophisticated, world-class wines that remain accessible.
