We first met Hugo del Pozzo at the start of 2024. Based out of Texas and the co-owner of a winery with some of the best vineyard plots in Ribera del Duero, Hugo’s larger than life personality and passion for excellence resonated with our team, and we were determined to help find ways to share the wines of PINEA. Hugo and his childhood friend/partner in the winery, Vicente, put their trust in us and PINEA became the first wine to be sold under the Small Victories portfolio.

Pinea’s vineyards are located in the north of Ribera del Duero, between the towns of Olmedillo de Roa, Quintanamanvirgo and Guzmán. This unique area is called “Ribera Burgalesa” or “Burgos”.  Due to its higher elevation, cooler temperatures, soil characteristics, and gentle slopes, this area is known for producing some of the best fruit in the Ribera del Duero.

Pinea’s domain is made up of 35 hectares of old vines planted in 9 different plots within Burgos. While there are differences in subsoils and altitudes amongst the plots, the vineyards are united by strong diurnal shifts, sloping terrain, predominantly south-facing slopes, and soils containing chalk, clay, sand and limestone. On average, the vineyards are 3,060 ft in elevation. The vineyards are dry-farmed and Pinea practices both organic and biodynamic viticulture as much as possible in the vineyards. Harvest in each vineyard occurs individually only when the grapes on the vines have achieved optimal ripeness.

The name Pinea is derived from a magnificent Pinus Pinea tree that resides in a micro-forest located a few hundred yards from La Ayosa and Cardisanto, Pinea’s northernmost vineyards. This tree is the oldest and tallest in the region and has witnessed centuries of history in the region. Like the majestic tree, Pinea hopes to honor the traditions of the past while also establishing itself an icon in the present day.

Pinea’s winery operations are overseen by two incredibly talented winemakers: David Ayala (Technical Director) and Andrés Vignoni (Consultant Winemaker).

David Ayala is a lover of the rural environment and the countryside. He descends from 7 generations of winegrowers and 3 generations of oenologists. He studied agricultural engineering and oenology. David spent his first few years out of university working in some of the best growing regions in Portugal, Spain, and France and training with talented oenologists like Xavier Ausàs (the former winemaker for Vega-Sicilia). David finally settled in the Duero region and has overseen winemaking at PINEA since 2021.

As a sixth-generation winemaker from Mendoza, Andrés Vignoni began his career at the age of 17. He gained international experience by working in New Zealand and France before returning to Argentina for several years. Andrés worked under Paul Hobbs at Viña Cobos in Mendoza and Crocus in Cahors: he took over the operation after just two years of training. At the young age of 37, Andrés has been called "the best young winemaker in the world" by the British wine critic, Tim Atkin.

Vicente Pliego and Hugo Del Pozzo combined their shared passion for wine, viticulture, and the beverage industry to create Pinea. Their goal is to create wines on par with the very best in the world. Through their work, they aim to capture the unique character of the northern edge of Ribera del Duero, showcasing the magnificent attributes of the land that they cherish.