El Gaitero was founded in 1890 by Valle, Ballina y Fernández families as a cider factory that developed into a long and successful venture. The alliance and shared vision of the brothers Alberto and Eladio del Valle, Bernardo de la Ballina and Ángel Fernández gave its name to the company. These entrepreneurs, like many enlightened Asturians of the time, recognized the potential of apple planting and the industrialization of the region as a means of fostering prosperity in Asturias.
They acquired the machinery that would enable them to begin production of ‘champagne cider’ in the borough of Villaviciosa. At that time many Asturians emigrated to America in search of a better life and future. During this long journey cider could easily spoil, so in order to keep all of its properties intact, the champagne method was used. In the late 19th century, and following the arrival of Obdulio Fernández, the company would experience the first of its golden ages: securing the strategic site at La Espuncia and converting El Gaitero cider into a household name around the world. The business partners made further investments aimed at centralizing production of El Gaitero on a single site - a strategy that would be reinforced years later, with the construction in 1915 of the company’s own bottle factory. In the 1950s, and under the management of José Cardín, the company experienced a period of unprecedented growth thanks to the extension work carried out on the mill and the diversification of the El Gaitero brand.
Today, El Gaitero group is a modern, forward-thinking company boasting a hundred-year history that perpetuates the value of its heritage and traditional production methods, whilst constantly looking ahead to innovation and development based on the use of cutting-edge technologies. Its facilities, which have been declared an Industrial Heritage site, now extend over more than 40,000 square meters and its cider production stands at 27 million liters a year. The company is committed to developing products based on innovation and tradition, such as its modern and refined ciders and sparkling bruts.
The grapes for this sparkling are sourced from high elevation areas throughout Spain. Don Piere offers a crystal clear pale yellow color, small and abundant bubbles of great finesse and elegance. The nose shows light and pleasant citrus and fresh fruit aromas. Well-balanced and refreshing on the palate with fruity flavors, good acidity and pleasant texture.
mixed in a Bellini. Ideal sparkling to share with friends and celebrate.The wine is a great match with appetizers, grilled fish, or desserts and cocktails,
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a "baby Châteauneuf" than a Côtes du Rhône.
A complete wine, rich and elegant, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up.
Drink between 1 and 6 years.
Soil type DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR “Les Champauvins” stretches on 34 ha classified in Côtes du Rhône. The plots are located in the northern border of Châteauneuf du Pape, exactly from 3 meters outside the appellation. A small lane of rocks going through the rocky plateaux has been decided to be the AOC limit in 1936. Here, soils are made of red clay and rocks (pebbled stones of quartz). The quantity of rocks can be amazing as they can completely cover the soil (see picture). In summer and during the day, the rocks temperature will increase to 55°C. This accumulated heat will be get back to the vines during nights . Day after day, this unique phenomenon allow the grapes to reach a perfect maturity and produce a unique wine. Winemaking & Ageing Traditional, in stainless steel vats. Harvest crushed and destemmed. Fermentation in temperature controlled vats at 28°C. Eighteen-day vating period with “pigeage”. Grenache is aged in concrete vats, Syrah and mourvèdre in 4 year old barrels. Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a “baby Châteauneuf” than a Côtes du Rhône. A complete wine, rich and elegant, thanks to the harmony of all the elements which make it up.
Reviews:
"A very serious Cotes-du-Rhone with deep forest-fruit aromas, as well as hints of smoke and dried herbs, the full, soft tannins filling out the full body very neatly. Nice, spicy and earthy depth at the long finish. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (February 2022), 92 pts
- Challenge Millesime Bio's World Contest for Organic Wines (January 2025),
-95 pts & Gold Medal