Rafael Cambra

A prime exponent of the new wave of Valencian producers.

Born in Ontinyent, Valencia, wine producer Rafael Cambra is an oenologist by trade and the scion of a wine family whose history goes back four generations. After studying in Spain and Montpellier, Mr. Cambra worked at several wineries in La Rioja before going back to his native land and setting up shop in Fontanar dels Alforins, a village in the south-west area of Valencia sitting at 700 metres above sea level. The Rafael Cambra winery is located in an area with a Continental climate, excellent sun exposure and low annual rainfall, all in all phenomenal conditions for growing grapes.

Although the first released wines of Rafael Cambra were produced almost exclusively from French varieties like Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, over the following years the Valencian oenologist devoted most of his efforts to cultivating both well-known local varieties, like Monastrell, the most important red grape of the Valencia region, and also to recovering little-known indigenous grapes from DO Valencia like Forcallat, Arco, Bonicaire and Rojal. The estate vineyards, surrounded by pine forests, cereal fields, olive trees and almond groves, are a part of a self-sufficient ecosystem that enhances biodiversity and prevents plagues and diseases.

Both at the vineyard and in the cellar, oenologist Rafael Cambra works with the aim of achieving maximum terroir expression. As in the case of grape varieties, Mr. Cambra’s winemaking approach has evolved over the years, from a strictly academic, Bordeaux-based methodology, to a more hands-off philosophy, which includes whole-bunch fermentations and the use of materials other than wood for ageing the wines, such as egg-shaped concrete diposits.

Year of foundation: 2001
Address: Camí de les Naus Artesanals, 14
City: Fontanars dels Alforins
Province: Valencia
Zip code: 46635
Country: Spain
Phone number: 34 626 309 327
www.rafaelcambra.es
Guided visits? No
Wine tourism services? No