Vinos Ambiz Winery
Vinos Ambiz is a small winery managed by Fabio Bartolomei. Raised in Scotland by Italian parents, he moved to Madrid over 20 years ago. It wasn't long after, in 2003, when he decided to pursue a personal interest (and family tradition) in winemaking and leased a small plot of Airén from an old winemaker in La Carabaña. With the grapes from this plot he began making wine using people's garages and any space he could borrow in and around Madrid and in the Sierra de Gredos. It was only in 2013 when he managed, with his friend Daniel Ramos, to rent the cellar of an old wine cooperative in the village of El Tiemblo where he opened his permanent cellar. He now has plots scattered across the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos, including the original at La Carabaña where he still grows Airén and Tempranillo from old vines. The climate here, like that of the city of Madrid, is continental. Very hot in summer and cold in winter. The granitic/sandy soil drains well and retains heat, favoring the maturation process. The soil is low in nutrients, forcing the vines to work harder, increasing complexity and minerality. Fabio works with several indigenous and often underrepresented grape varieties such as Doré, Malvar, Airén, Albillo and Chelva as well as the more common Sauvignon Blanc, Garnacha and Tempranillo.
Vinos Ambiz is a small winery managed by Fabio Bartolomei. Raised in Scotland by Italian parents, he moved to Madrid over 20 years ago. It wasn't long after, in 2003, when he decided to pursue a personal interest (and family tradition) in winemaking and leased a small plot of Airén from an old winemaker in La Carabaña. With the grapes from this plot he began making wine using people's garages and any space he could borrow in and around Madrid and in the Sierra de Gredos. It was only in 2013 when he managed, with his friend Daniel Ramos, to rent the cellar of an old wine cooperative in the village of El Tiemblo where he opened his permanent cellar. He now has plots scattered across the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos, including the original at La Carabaña where he still grows Airén and Tempranillo from old vines. The climate here, like that of the city of Madrid, is continental. Very hot in summer and cold in winter. The granitic/sandy soil drains well and retains heat, favoring the maturation process. The soil is low in nutrients, forcing the vines to work harder, increasing complexity and minerality. Fabio works with several indigenous and often underrepresented grape varieties such as Doré, Malvar, Airén, Albillo and Chelva as well as the more common Sauvignon Blanc, Garnacha and Tempranillo.
