Bobal, Academia de Los Nocturnos, Pago de Tharsys, Utiel-Requena, Spain

Located in the unheralded region of Utiel-Requena, Pago de Tharsys is an old estate which dates back to 1805. It was purchased by the Garcia family in 1981 and they began adding plots of vines in the early 1990s. Therefore, despite the fact it is an estate steeped in history, it is very much a modern project that remains in progress. Known as “The Godfather of Valencian Cava” for his work to grow the reputation of D.O. Cava wines in this area, Vicente Garcia has always strived to find harmony between traditional and modern winemaking techniques in order to bring out the best of the indigenous varieties of Valencia – particularly Bobal. Their Academia de Nocturnos range is an homage to the mythical ‘Nocturnal Academy’ of 16th century Valencia, where well-known artists and novelists used to meet – always with a glass of wine in hand