Based in Sierra de Gredos, Pegaso was born from a collaboration between Rioja native Telmo Rodríguez, his long-time business partner Pablo Eguzkiza and two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr. They named the winery in tribute to Pegaso, a famous 1940s Spanish car manufacturer prized by collectors with an eye for sleek, classic design.
Sierra de Gredos is a range of mountains west of Madrid, spanning the provinces of Toledo, Madrid and Avila. The region’s rugged landscape, with granite-laced soils, has been home to numerous winemaking families for generations and boasts a wealth of old vine Garnacha. Telmo and Pablo were gripped by the potential of these vineyards when they first saw them while travelling across Spain in search of forgotten regions. Telmo explains that “this extraordinary vineyard was growing wild, without winemaker, oenologist or engineer: it was an orphan.”
In 1999, they purchased their first vineyard, Arrebatacapas, in the village of Cebreros (known for its rare ‘pizarra’ red slate soils) with Carlos Sainz Sr, who lived locally and shared their passion for Sierra de Gredos’ winemaking potential. Incidentally, Carlos explains that Arrebatacapas was once part of the Madrid rally route he famously raced along, “but then, I didn’t pay attention to the vines. I was more concerned about winning”. Together the trio restored Carlos’ 19th century property in 2005 to house the Pegaso winery.
