Rocío and Mariluz Tolosa, 5th generation at the head of the Vega Tolosa winery

Casas Ibáñez (Albacete), March 2024. The new generations of winegrowers are those who are following the tradition of many years of work of their ancestors in the vineyard. Dew, as an oenologist, and Mariluz, as responsible for marketing and wine tourism, are the fifth generation of the Tolosa family dedicated to wine since his great-great-grandfather José began planting vineyards in the area of Casas Ibáñez, in the province of Albacete.

The beginnings of Vega Tolosa go back to the first vineyards that from parents to children have been passed on in the family until reaching this fifth generation. In the 80s of the last century began its journey as a winery, although it was not until 1998 when they started bottling their own wine with Juan Miguel y Emilio Tolosa in command. The two of them, together with the patriarch of the family, Juan José, they have been the ones that over the years have been giving shape to the wines, the vineyards and the winery until reaching the current moment, in which these two young sisters are already part of the day to day of the winery.

In this family, women have always had a lot of voice and vote, and Grandma Mariluz She was already a pioneer in the wine sector by being part of the organization and management of the winery. Vega Tolosa is a great family in which everyone brings their wisdom until they reach Mariluz y Dew, which in addition to youth, contribute with their knowledge, experience and a lot of energy.

Vega Tolosa owns more than 300 hectares of vineyards in the Protected Designation of Origin Manchuela, of which one 30 % are dedicated to the variety ink Bobal, grapes native to this area of Albacete. The family is lucky to have the oldest vineyards of the denomination, some of which may exceed 110 years, even if the vineyard register confirms 80 years.

For Rocío Tolosa, winemaker of the winery with her father Juan Miguel, ‘It is a source of pride to have a family that has dedicated its life to wine. It is a great responsibility to continue the wine heritage of my grandparents and great-grandparents, but at the same time it is a great challenge to put all my knowledge to continue producing authentic and different wines.”

Vineyards – all organic – of Vega Tolosa are situated between the valleys of the rivers Jucar y Cabriel, a declared area Biosphere Reserve, a unique place of Mediterranean forest with pines, oaks, junipers, thyme and rosemary that are part of this wine landscape located at 700 meters of altitude and whose horizon is the Mediterranean at only 100 km.

Having as protagonist the variety Bobal, Mariluz Tolosa, director of wine tourism, has created activities around this grape to promote its knowledge, its history and show its particularities. Vega Tolosa is located in a privileged natural area, between the La Mancha plain and the area closest to the river Cabriel, with very different landscapes but that have in common an ecological vineyard perfect to know everything that this winery offers.

Among the wine tourism activities, promote the bike rides through the vineyard and surroundings. Near the winery is located Alcalá del Júcar, one of the most touristic villages of Manchuela, known for its geographical location and cave houses. Inside the winery, in addition to offering wine tastings, it is very important for the family that the winemaker feel the vineyard, and the best way to do so is to step on the ground and get to know the wine history of Vega Tolosa from the hand of the winery team.

In addition to these activities, Vega Tolosa does not forget the little ones of the families, since the winery also has activities for children, such as games with the different colors of the wines and a panel of aromas so that they learn to identify them.

Information Notes: Vega Tolosa is located in Casas Ibáñez, Spain. They are five generations of winegrowers who continue their labor out of love for their land and variety Bobal. With this variety they make the wines The Falcons y Bobal Icon, in addition to whites Chardonnay, Viognier y Sauvignon Blanc. The winery has been recovering old vineyards of Albillo y Tardana for wines coming soon. Since the year 2018, they also make sparkling wines using the traditional method, using the varieties Chardonnay y Bobal.