Bodegas Bhilar
David Sampedro Gil
Bodegas Bhilar, Elvillar, Rioja Alavesa
Situated around the town of Elvillar, David and Melanie’s Bodegas Bhilar (Bhilar the derivation of the Basque word for Elvillar), concentrates on high altitude, sustainable viticulture, his vineyards have since 2006 been farmed organically, they practice biodynamics, and he is currently working towards Demeter certification. In addition to this their winery is powered solely by solar power. In the early days of Bodegas Bhilar, the older generation labeled David the ‘laziest winemaker in town’ for allowing plants to grow between their rows (to foster biodiversity in the vineyards which contributes to the overall health of the vines) and not spraying their vines with pesticides and herbicides. Ironically, it’s the intuitive practices of his grandfather’s generation that he has returned to.
Struggling Vines is Melanie’s project, with a goal of rescuing plots of old vines, and returning them to health by converting them to biodynamics.
David is also involved in a number of projects around Spain under his DSG Vineyards label, making wine in Rias Baixas, Salamanca and Navarra to name some but not all. Wherever he makes wine the same unmistakable, elegance is evident in every expression of the land.
