Bodegas Alion
Alión is a prestigious winery in Spain’s Ribera del Duero region, owned by Vega Sicilia. Known for its powerful and refined Tempranillo, Alión produces modern, elegant wines with a focus on structure, balance, and aging potential.
History of Alión Estate
Bodegas y Viñedos Alión was created by Vega Sicilia in 1991 with the mission of crafting a wine that reflects a modern interpretation of Ribera del Duero, setting it apart from the classic, traditional style of Vega Sicilia. Unlike its parent estate, which blends multiple grape varieties and emphasizes long aging, Alión focuses exclusively on 100% Tempranillo. The estate was established to showcase the potential of this variety through a more youthful, approachable, and modern wine style. Since its foundation, Alión has earned a reputation as one of Spain’s top wines and an ambassador for modern Spanish winemaking.
Alión is a standalone project within the Vega Sicilia portfolio, created to experiment with contemporary winemaking techniques while maintaining the highest standards of quality. The estate draws on Vega Sicilia’s expertise in vineyard management and craftsmanship, but it remains distinct in its philosophy and approach. Alión is dedicated to producing one single, outstanding wine that encapsulates the richness and elegance of the Ribera del Duero terroir.
Region and Vineyards
Alión is located in the Ribera del Duero DO, one of Spain's most celebrated wine regions, known for producing robust and long-lived red wines. The vineyards of Alión are spread across high-altitude plots, with elevations up to 900 meters, where the continental climate features hot, dry summers and cold winters. These extreme conditions help produce Tempranillo grapes with excellent concentration and structure.
The soils of Ribera del Duero, a mix of limestone, clay, and gravel, are ideal for viticulture, providing a well-drained and nutrient-rich environment for the vines. Alión’s vineyards are meticulously managed to ensure low yields, which enhances the complexity and intensity of the fruit. Sustainable viticulture practices are employed to preserve the natural balance of the terroir, further elevating the quality of the wine.
Wine Range
Alión produces only one wine - its flagship Alión, a 100% Tempranillo that is consistently praised for its depth, power, and elegance. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, the wine strikes a perfect balance between fruit concentration and oak complexity. The use of new French oak gives the wine its signature flavors of vanilla, spices, and cedar, while preserving the purity of the fruit. Alión is known for its ability to age beautifully for decades, developing additional layers of complexity over time.
Did you know?
Although Alión is a part of the Vega Sicilia family, it was conceived to be completely independent in terms of style and approach. The wine is often described as a modern take on Ribera del Duero, in contrast to Vega Sicilia's more classical expressions. Additionally, while Vega Sicilia is known for aging its wines in both French and American oak, Alión exclusively uses French oak, which gives it a more refined and contemporary profile.
