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.
O.Fournier, which opened a winery in Mendoza, Argentina in 2001, purchased the property in Ribera del Duero in 2002. O.Fournier is owned by brother and sister José Manuel Ortega Gil-Fournier and Natalia Ortega Gil-Fournier.
Their logo is an Argentine ostrich that was derived from a sacred native cave painting. Inside the ostrich (which represents earth) is a cross (which represents the Southern Cross, or the sky) and together they create unity.