Langa Wineries 150 years of history

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Langa wineries, 150 years of history. Langa wineries has been producing quality wines since 1867; They are backed by know-how and more than 150 years of experience cultivating vineyards in the province of Calatayud. Over time, they have been integrating new techniques into their way of making wines.  Combining tradition and innovation and advocating for sustainable viticulture and oenology, aware of the impact that wine production has on its surroundings and the environment.

 

 

 

Langa Wineries 150 years of history

This winery has completed the 2023 harvest with its Chardonnay white grape variety two weeks before the usual date due to the increase in temperatures recorded this year throughout the peninsula.

A drought that caused the grapes to ripen more quickly without affecting their quality, since the fruit was at its maximum organoleptic properties.
For the first time in their history, they have also brought forward the harvest of their Garnacha variety to very unusual dates, starting the harvest last Monday, September 11, 2023. Two weeks ahead of schedule, just as happened with their Chardonnay variety.

The latest rains that fell in Calatayud last week have also allowed us to improve the forecasts, so a normal harvest in volume and optimal in quality is expected, similar to last year’s.

2023, CLIMATE CHALLENGES

The first known steps were taken by Mr. Mariano Langa Gallego, who started in 1867 with a small winery, located in a small town called Morata de Jiloca.
César Langa, technical director of the Winery and member of the Langa family, tells us that it has been a complicated year for the wine sector – the lack of rain and extreme heat having caused the fruits to not ripen uniformly – and that.

For this reason, they made the decision to bring forward the harvest, thus looking for fresher and more aromatic wines.

The lack of humidity, a direct consequence of the drought, has, however, allowed the Garnacha harvest to begin with an excellent health condition of the grapes and the vineyard, as possible fungal infections have been avoided.

Characteristic of his vineyard

In the talk we have with this head of the winery, he also reveals to us a characteristic of his vineyard located in El Frasno that makes it unique. And the “Jumandil” – a typical wind of the area that dries the leaves quickly – prevents fungi from proliferating when it rains due to heat and humidity. From what I describe the 2023 campaign has been like that of climate challenges.

Langa family

The Langa family owns more than 70 hectares of vineyards on two estates with totally different conditions, which give rise to a unique aromatic variability.
The constant climatic variations have resulted in a short, early but healthy campaign with quality fruit.
In 2024, apart from the uncertainty caused by the socio-political instability that exists in the world, it will be a hopeful year, given that the positioning of our wines in relation to other areas is very good and growth is expected both in value and in volume.

LEADER OF ARAGONESE CAVA

Today this winery is the leader and bastion of Aragonese cava. It is the only family business that produces wines in the D.O. Calatayud with its own history and tradition, to learn more about this historic winery.  We spoke with César Langa, technical director of the Winery and member of the Langa family that runs this 100% family business.
What is the level of acceptance by the Spanish consumer when buying wine?
Acceptance is very good, but we are faced with an area or denomination that is unknown to the consumer. Our wines are not designed to sell to the masses, so it is never easy to introduce it into a market saturated with wines, areas and brands.
Curiously, in our case 98% of our wines are exported to more than 33 countries, so it is easier to find it in Germany than in Madrid.

Specialized stores

What role are specialized stores playing in the sale of wine?
The presence of specialized stores is essential, since it is the ideal niche for wines like ours, where people who love wine look for small treasures that are difficult to find.
What is the moment for the production of artisanal wines in Spain?
The definition of an artisan is complicated, because what is an artisan and what is not? We are entering a field that is not very regulated. In any case, if artisan means returning to the origins of production, it is at its peak.

At Bodegas Langa, we have always believed that identity is the most important thing in a wine. The identity is not only given by the origin of the grapes, but also by their respect for preserving the typicality of the terroir. It makes no sense to talk about typicity and then use dry yeasts from Bordeaux or California…typicality is everything, from the grapes, the yeasts and a production that respects it.

The world of wine

How did you get into the world of wines?
This one is easy, because it was probably made between two barrels or in a vineyard. I have grown up among comments on oenology and sales, I have experienced successes and failures and I have breathed the air of the winery since I was born. It is difficult not to get trapped when you are immersed in this world for your entire life.
And what led you to take that leap?
I feel it as a duty. There is a heritage behind 4 generations and it must be continued. For my brother and I, it is a legacy and we do not have the right to end it.

Good wine

What is the most important thing when choosing a good wine?
Almost all wines are good, so the most important thing is to have a good aptitude or disposition and choose the moment to enjoy it. Personally, I have really enjoyed sharing inexpensive, unknown wines with friends. Discussing and talking over a bottle is perhaps one of the best moments of the day.

What would you highlight about the world of wine?

The world of wine is fascinating and diverse, with a rich history and culture that spans centuries. And now, what are your next steps going to be?
We have several very interesting projects based on identity. The main one is the recovery of ancestral varieties. Last year we planted the first Parrel and Gonfaus strains, after being recognized after many years of research, as permitted varieties in Spain.
We are also immersed in a new expansion of facilities and in launching a new disruptive wine concept that we have been working on for several years and that has been funded by the EU, within the Accelerator innovation program for disruptive projects.

What is the concept and philosophy of your winery?

The main concept is to pursue identity, that is where our way of understanding wine lies. Native varieties, indigenous but selected yeasts and sustainability. The philosophy is to think differently and bring a 4.0 concept to wines.
Almost all projects are based on two concepts, the first is technical, a lot of time is wasted explaining how it is done, and the second is organoleptic, who knows.

But little time is wasted in explaining the cultural and ideological concepts, which for me are the most important since they go against the globalization of wine, that is, where it comes from; the town, the people, the traditions etc. and the last, our motivations for doing so; respect for nature, sustainability, etc.
Bodegas Langa has been transmitting from generation to generation a deep respect and great responsibility for the land that surrounds them, for its biodiversity, traditions, in short, for its heritage.

Values

Values that have allowed it to take greater advantage of the natural resources of its environment, creating a sustainable production plan that is not focused solely on the production of its wines but on the ecological sustainability of the entire ecosystem that makes up its wineries. Langa Wineries 150 years of history

By Ángel Marques Ávila. Journalist