Spains most prestigious wine estate, was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves. He planted bordeaux grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec) in the arid Ribera soils, as well as the local grape, Tinto Fino. The bodega, which is located beside a highway east of Valladolid, now has 140 hectares of vines. The estate's top wine, unico, is aged for up to 10 years in a mixture of French and American wood, both large wooded vats and new barriques. Valbuena is released after 5 years of ageing. The wines of Vega Sicilia are renowned for their complexity, intensity and longevity and are amongst the finest in the world.