Back in the 1980s, before the region of Ribera del Duero became what it is known as today, Jose Manuel Vizcarra pioneered the land and planted new vineyards. In 1991, Juan Carlos Vizcarra followed in his fathers' footsteps and keeps the tradition alive today.
In 2007, the company expanded and moved into what is now their current location in Burgos, near the border of Valladolid. An ideal location for growing, they are located at one of the highest points in the region (at 800 meters high) and do not suffer from frost due to surrounding mountains.
Protos, steming from the Greek word "first," is the 42nd oldest wine and spirits brand in Europe. Beginning in 1927, Protos was the first cooperative in Ribera del Duero and is now in over 90 countries, producing 5.5 million bottles (450k cases) per year.
As the company began to rapidly grow, expanding throughout the region was inevitable and they began construction on a wine-aging cellar in the heart of the mountain that holds up the Castle of Penafiel. In 1995 the wine cellar was enlarged to meet the demands of expanding Ribera winemaking and today, there is 2km of underground cellars that connect the old winery to the new one. As growth continues, the winery has updated its resources to state-of-the-art technology that can produce up to 3 million kilos of grapes.
Emilio Moro Winery was founded on three generations of family united by pride, effort and dedication. In 1987, current president Jose Moro decided to bring his father and grandfather's wine to the public and invested his family's savings into a grape press. Shortly after, in 1988, the Moro family purchased their first cellar, extending a family tradition outward for generations to come. Their brand name was created in 1989, thus launching the first vintage of Emilio Moro.
Emilio Moro was a viticulturalist and he was the first person to plant on the mountains in Ribera del Duero. People thought he was crazy but today many others are planting there. Situated at an altitude between 750 and 1000 meters above sea-level, the land's climate make this chalky soil unique for producing its 100% Tempranillo varietal.