Ribera del Duero sits on the northern Castilian meseta at 700-1,000 metres elevation, where extreme continental conditions — freezing winters, scorching summers, and vast day-night temperature swings — produce Tempranillo (locally called Tinto Fino or Tinta del País) of extraordinary concentration and structure. Vega Sicilia, Spain's most legendary estate, has produced wines here since 1864. Pingus brought modern, high-extraction winemaking in the 1990s. Pesquera and Emilio Moro represent the region's more traditional style. The DO was only established in 1982, but has rapidly risen to rival Rioja in prestige.
