Bodegas Dominio de Cair, Tierras de Cair, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2020

Producer Profile

Dominio de Cair is one of Ribera del Duero’s most exciting modern wineries—founded in 2008 by Juan Luis Cañas, the renowned owner of Rioja Alavesa producer Bodegas Luis Cañas.

This is a project built on heritage vines, high-altitude terroir, and precision winemaking, aimed at expressing the full potential of Ribera Tempranillo. Situated in La Aguilera, one of the region’s most sought-after subzones, Cair works with vineyards reaching up to 100 years old, planted at 800–950 meters above sea level. These extreme conditions deliver naturally low yields, vibrant freshness, and outstanding complexity—hallmarks of the Cair style. The winemaking philosophy is a balance of modern elegance and old-world structure: manual harvest, double berry selection, and aging in new French and American oak deliver purity, depth, and polish across the range. Critically, Cair isn’t just about power—it’s about finesse. Their wines consistently receive praise from top critics including Tim Atkin MW, who recognized Dominio de Cair as a Second Growth estate in his 2023 Ribera del Duero classification. From the accessible, juicy Cair Cuvée, to the ultra-premium Pendón de La Aguilera, this is a portfolio that is exceptional at every level.

Viticulture

Vineyards over 75 years old, located in La Aguilera and Quintana del Pidio, sit at altitudes between 820 and 850 meters. The gravelly soils impose natural limitations on vine growth, creating ideal conditions for producing grapes of exceptional quality.

Winemaking

Harvested by hand into 11 kg boxes, the grapes undergo a meticulous double sorting process. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in French oak barrels. The wine is then bottle-aged for a minimum of 18 months before release.

Tasting Note

A bold, modern expression of Ribera del Duero, Tierras de Cair showcases the depth and elegance of old-vine Tempranillo. Sourced from carefully selected vineyards at high altitude, this wine reflects meticulous viticulture and masterful winemaking. Aged in French and American oak, it opens with intense aromas of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with hints of spice, cocoa, and toasted wood. On the palate, it is rich and velvety, with fine tannins, superb balance, and a long, expressive finish

Food Matching

Roasted lamb, aged Manchego cheese, Iberian pork, and game dishes such as venison or duck.