While other great Spanish wines are seeing their international success fade, Pingus (first vintage dating back to 1995) is still far from having finished its progression on the market. The Bodega is nestled in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, the largest of the five controlled areas in the wine producing region of Castile and León, and was officially granted the title of "Denominacion de Origen" in 1982. Owner and agricultural engineer Peter Sissek carries out vinification himself, following the advice of his friend and owner of the Château de Valadraud in Saint-Emilion, Jean-Luc Thunevin.

Just the like the Château de Valadraud, the Pingus meets all the criteria for a `vin de garage', which despite sometimes being snubbed in France, is appreciated across the pond thanks to low yields (7hl/ha in 2000), manual harvesting with grapes picked one by one, the moderate use of sulphurs and 100% new oak barrel ageing. The Pingus' selling point? Very old vines (up to 70 years), which lend the nectar an exceptional elegance. By introducing the concept of micro vinification to Spain, Peter Sissek broke all the local rules of wine production. As to the character of this Spanish superstar, it reveals itself to be powerful, rich, full-bodied and extremely concentrated, boasting great aromatic intensity as well as a remarkable velvety smoothness. Superbly structured, it offers a delicacy that is heightened with each passing vintage, hinting at many long years of ageing to come.