El Vínculo also symbolises the union between the two Castiles and pays tribute to the of the grandparents of the women currently at the helm of Familia Fernandez Rivera.
El Vínculo is the exception within the group, as it is the only one that does not grow only a single variety. Aside from Tempranillo, Airen—a white grape variety with which Familia Fernandez Rivera produces one of the best Spanish white wines—is grown.Alejandro Fernandez’ fourth , El Vínculo, sits nearby the iconic Campo de Criptana windmills in the northern part of the D.O. La Mancha and is a tribute to and a continuity of the winemaking tradition of the Fernandez family. It is named after his father’s medieval subterranean home cellar in the hills of Pesquera de Duero where, in early childhood, Alejandro accompanied his family for their afternoon merienda, or snack, and an evening full of wine and song. The gathering place was affectionately called El Vínculo, meaning “union” or “link,” and was where Alejandro initially learned to make wine. After traveling the length and breadth of La Mancha, in 1999 the “Master of Tempranillo” finally found what he was looking for: high-quality, old Tempranillo vines, perfectly adapted to local conditions. Convinced that the quality potential was immense as long as yield and selection were carefully controlled, Alejandro surprised local growers by his new way of working the La Mancha vineyards. By sourcing fruit through long-term contracts with growers focused on low yields and precise harvesting, Alejandro ensures first-rate La Mancha grapes give rise year after year to fine wines with unparalleled wine aromas and flavors. Across his four bodegas, Alejandro’s only deviation from pure Tempranillo varietal wines is El Vínculo’s Alejairen. Despite the Airen variety being the most widely planted grape in the D.O. La Mancha and in the world, Alejairen was the first barrel-aged 100% Airen wine produced in Spain, proving that Airen can develop rich flavors, complexity and texture, far beyond its usual role as a simple table wine.
