The grapes come from old, low-yielding vineyards within the D.O. Toro, in the west of Castilla y León.
- Location / Origin: Toro is situated around the Duero River and extends over parts of Zamora and Valladolid. The appellation's vineyards are located between approximately 620 and 870 m above sea level, allowing for warm days to be alternated with cooler nights.
- Soil: For El Pícaro, Matsu selects old vineyards on sandy soils with plenty of granite gravel. The loose, well-draining structure is perfectly suited to Tinta de Toro and limits the vine's natural vigor.
- Climate & Influences: Toro has an extremely continental, semi-arid climate with Atlantic influences, with approximately 350–400 mm of rainfall per year and up to 3000 hours of sunshine. Lots of sun builds ripeness, while the large temperature fluctuations help to preserve freshness in the grapes.
- Vineyard & Harvest: The old vines naturally yield low quantities and are cared for according to natural viticultural principles. Harvesting is done entirely by hand.
Concrete and indigenous yeasts play a leading role in the cellar and fit perfectly with the youthful character that Matsu aims to showcase with El Pícaro.
- Fermentation: The spontaneous alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks with the grapes' natural yeasts. Malolactic conversion also occurs in the same vessels; concrete provides space for a controlled development of the wine and keeps the fruit expression clear and direct.
- Maturation: Subsequently, the wine remains on the fine lees in concrete tanks for 2 months. This short contact with the yeast builds extra texture and roundness, while the juicy and youthful character remains the primary focus. Before bottling, only light filtration and gentle clarification are performed.
El Pícaro is made entirely from the local red specialty with which Toro has built its own wine identity.
- 100% Tinta de Toro – Toro: Tinta de Toro is the local variant of Tempranillo and has adapted over centuries to the dry, extreme conditions of the region. The grape has a relatively thick skin, which provides deep color, aromatic intensity, and plenty of natural structure.
