These vineyards have been organic for six years. Two years spent on planting the vines and three years producing wines from the grapes. Its surface area of just one hectare is still tiny compared to other Jerez vineyards, but Luis Mateos, the person behind the idea, proudly pointed out that no type of chemical product or treatment is used on the vines. Sirah and Tempranillo grapes are grown, while the other wines from the Marco de Jerez region usually uses the characteristic varieities of the zone. 

Last month, the grapes were harvested using traditional methods and his family helped to pick the grapes. His children consider it to be more of a game than work, but their help was invaluable. 

If the forecasts turn out to be true, Luis Mateos expects to produce 5,000 litres of wine this year, significantly higher than last year’s 700 litres. Luis considered 2005 to be a pilot test and did not sell his wine, but rather served it at his own wedding and gave bottles to the people working with him. Yet, he plans to take on the market and has already registered "Biomateos", his company's name, and under which he expects to gradually start distributing his product. His plan is to start with the local restaurants and then look for other channels once production has increased and the fame of his wine has spread.

Luis Mateos’s wine does not fall within the Marco de Jerez sherry production region, as it is a red wine and not aged using the model approved by the Sherry Regulatory Board. 

If the idea prospers, Mateos is even talking about a farm with more organic products where the customers will be involved in the sacred ceremony of the wine harvest, treading the grapes themselves, which, as he points out, is how it is done in France.

He does not aspire to a mass production process and to a large-scale distribution, but rather a traditional product with a limited production to be sold through shops specialising in organic or local products. The tourist aspect of the initiative has not been overlooked and he plans to organise guided visits to his vineyard in the not too distant future.

Contact: Luis Mateos pelumateos@hotmail.com