El RegresoJulián Ruiz Zamora
Julián Ruiz Zamora leads El Regreso, a natural-viticulture project in the Manchuela DO, across the provinces of Albacete and Valencia. Instead of betting on international commercial varieties, he rescues native Manchuela grapes —many of them minor, forgotten or from old, ungrafted vines, such as Marisancho, Jacivera, Tardana, Royal and Moravia Agria— with biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking: spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, no additives, no added sulphites and no filtration. The result is free, vibrant, energetic wines that have taken Albacete's name to natural-wine fairs such as RAW WINE.
Manchuela, straddling the provinces of Albacete and Valencia, within the Manchuela DO. Julián's vines —old, ungrafted vines of native varieties— grow on the area's calcareous soil, where he works Marisancho, Jacivera, Tardana, Royal, Moravia Agria and Bobal.
- Biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking
- Spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts
- No additives and no added sulphites (below 10 mg/l, entirely natural), unfiltered and unfined
- Rescue of native varieties of Manchuela, many of them minor, forgotten or from old, ungrafted vines
- Very varied vessels depending on the wine: amphora, stainless-steel tank, concrete and oak barrels (French and American)
- La Mola — Marisancho + Macabeo · stainless steel and second-year French barrel
- Gogo — Tardana + Royal · Tardana maceration and amphora ageing
- Martirio — Marisancho + Moscatel · ancestral sparkling, 12 months in bottle
- El Trato — Bobal + Moravia Agria · ungrafted vines · old French barrel, 24 months
- El Regreso Marisancho — 100% Marisancho · ungrafted vines · second-year French barrel, 12 months
- El Regreso Jacivera — 100% Jacivera · ungrafted vines · new American barrel, 12 months
Manchuela is a land of little-known native grapes, and El Regreso makes them its flag: whites, an ancestral sparkling wine, a skin-maceration wine and reds from local varieties, all spontaneously fermented and with no added sulphites. A way of understanding natural wine as viticultural archaeology.
The collection at Terroir Radical
La Mola
An expressive, direct and fresh white blend, with clear hints of white fruit, citrus touches and wild flowers over a subtly mineral background. On the palate it is fluid, agile and dry, with very lively acidity and a slightly unctuous feel that invites another glass.
Gogo
An orange wine of pale orange or amber hue, the result of macerating Tardana on its skins. The nose is very clean, dominated by fresh citrus notes (orange peel, grapefruit) and subtle touches of herbal infusion and dried fruit. On the palate it is extremely fluid and agile, yet with that characteristic, interesting tannic, structured grip on the sides of the tongue that skin contact gives.
Martirio
Ancestral sparkling wine blending Marisancho and Moscatel. Fine, wild, well-integrated bubbles. On the nose it combines the aromatic, floral freshness of Moscatel with the rustic, fruity structure of Marisancho. It is dry on the palate, refreshing, with a very particular saline touch.
El Trato
A red that joins Bobal and Moravia Agria: the tannic structure and black fruit of Bobal with the freshness, lightness and piercing acidity of Moravia. The nose is complex, with hints of blackberries, black pepper, fallen leaves and calcareous touches. On the palate it has nerve, good tension and a long, wild finish.
El Regreso Marisancho
A single-variety white from the rescued Marisancho grape. It shows deep notes of ripe white fruit (pear, reineta apple), herbal scrubland touches, aniseed hints and a memory of yeast. It has great volume, density on the palate and a long finish with a very attractive mineral savouriness.
El Regreso Jacivera
A single-variety red from the extremely scarce native variety Jacivera. Medium-depth ruby colour. Very expressive on the nose, with notes of ripe, seasoned black fruit, together with very clean mineral and organic touches (wet earth, limestone). On the palate it is fluid, with friendly, polished tannins, and stands out for its authenticity.
Editorial note
Julián and I share the same philosophy: the recovery of ancestral grapes. Instead of betting on international commercial varieties, El Regreso focuses on rescuing native Manchuela grapes, many of them minor, forgotten or from old, ungrafted vines, and works sublimely with varieties such as Marisancho, Jacivera, Tardana, Royal and Moravia Agria. It is a method and a working philosophy that we share at Terroir Radical.
— Terroir Radical