Botani Old Vines

D.O. Málaga & D.O. Sierras de Málaga

Villages of Almáchar and El Borge Alta Axarquía, the most historic subzone in D.O. Málaga.

100% Muscat of Alexandria. The oldest variety in the Muscat family and one of the few remaining genetically unmodified vitis vinifera cultivars remaining in the world today. The Phoenicians transplanted this grape from Alexandria, Egypt to Málaga approximately 2,600 years ago.

54 small vineyard plots. Given the steep inclinations (up to 70%) and the lack of trellising, terraces, or mechanization, these are the most extreme vineyards in Europe.

Between 1946-1975

Traditional dry farmed viticulture. Practicing organic gobelet (vaso) trained vines. Cultivated completely by hand, and grapes are carried up the mountain with the assistance of mules. The majority of the vines receive no treatments whatsoever and minimal human intervention. Many of the vineyards are planted directly into the rock (slate).

No organic matter. Solid slate rock and decomposed slate with a small percentage of white quartz.

Extremely dry Mediterranean climate with 120-150 mm of rainfall per year. The Axarquia is at high elevation which results in extreme diurnal shifts in the summer allowing for long and balanced maturation. Our vineyard sites are north facing.

Pre-fermentation cold maceration. Gently pressed in a pneumatic press. The must settles and ferments in 10,000L stainless steel temperature-controlled tanks.

Aged on the lees for 6 months before bottling. The lees are racked over the wine weekly.

Jorge Ordóñez Málaga was founded in 2004 to revitalize the tradition of unfortified sweet winemaking in Málaga. Despite this focus, Jorge and Alois Kracher were inspired to produce a fresh and dry Moscatel from the mountain vineyards of the Axarquía. Botani was the first dry Moscatel made in Spain in modern times, resurrecting the tradition of Málaga's historic "Mountain Wines." This wine inspired a new generation of dry aromatic white wines produced from Spain's Mediterranean coast.