Las Pizarras
Mark Schiettekat began selling Spanish wine in 1983. Convinced of its potential, he pivoted to the production side of the industry. In 1992, he began working with native Spanish varietals and put down roots in Calatayud, an area he chose for his love of the Garnacha grape, which is native to Aragon.
Twenty years after settling in the region, he revived a local cooperative on the brink of closure and launched Raíces Ibéricas. In doing so, he fulfilled a promise to the community and made his dream a reality.
Calatayud is located in the heart of Aragon, in a valley protected from harsh conditions by surrounding mountain ranges. The tributaries of the Ebro River provide a constant source of water and vital nutrients for the area. Although the rocky substrates are poor in nutrients, they are rich in limestone, allowing the vine roots to slowly but inexorably make their way through cracks and fine fissures.
The landscape of Calatayud is a complex mosaic of plots displaying enormous diversity. Slate soil here can be black, gray, red, or even white. It is a spectacular sight to see how the terrain changes from one plot to another, sometimes with only a few meters of difference between them. Although yields are low, the winery has managed to develop wines with a distinct personality that retain the fruity character and freshness typical of Garnacha.
