When people think of Spain’s great wines, the usual names come to mind — Rioja, Ribera del Duero, or Priorat. These are the regions that built Spain’s global reputation, home to icons like Vega Sicilia, Pingus, and La Rioja Alta.
But Spain has a secret — a small medieval village that few outsiders could locate on a map,quietly producing what is now the most expensive Spanish wine.
The Hidden Power of Toro
Far from the postcard vineyards of Rioja lies Toro, a rugged stretch of Castilla y León, where summers burn hot and winters bite cold.
Here, in the heart of Spain’s high plateau, the Tempranillo grape — known locally as Tinta de Toro — grows thicker-skinned and more concentrated than anywhere else in the country. These are wines of power and heat, often pushing past 15% alcohol.
For decades, Toro remained overshadowed by its better-known neighbors. That changed when a local winery, Bodega Numanthia, shocked the wine world. Its flagship bottle, Termanthia 2004, earned a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The news turned heads, and soon after, the winery was sold to French luxury giant LVMH — the group behind Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Château d’Yquem, and Louis Vuitton.
Overnight, the quiet plains of Toro were on the world’s wine map.
The Birth of a Legend: Teso La Monja
After selling Numanthia, the renowned Eguren family — one of Spain’s most respected winemaking dynasties — didn’t leave Toro behind. Instead, they began anew, founding a bold new project: Teso La Monja.
Set among pre-phylloxera vines over 130 years old, the Egurens farm more than 200 acres without herbicides, focusing on natural balance and tiny yields — sometimes as little as 1,000 kilograms of grapes per hectare. From these rare old vines comes their masterpiece, a wine that now sells for over $1,200 a bottle, surpassing even the legendary Pingus and Vega Sicilia.
It’s a remarkable rise for a wine that didn’t even exist fifteen years ago — proof that Spanish excellence continues to evolve in unexpected places.
Why It Matters
For wine lovers, Teso La Monja isn’t just another collector’s trophy. It’s a reminder that true greatness can come from quiet corners, from families who believe in their land long before the world takes notice.
The story of Toro — from forgotten plains to global acclaim — shows that the next great bottle might not come from where you expect.
And for those of us following Spain closely, that’s reason enough to keep our glasses ready.
Watch the Full Story
Curious to see where this story began?
Watch Julien Miquel’s full video “The Most Expensive Spanish Wine You’ve Never Heard Of” on our YouTube Channel — and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories, tastings, and insights from the world of wine.
Salud,
The Bonner Private Wines Team
This article was based on the YouTube video “The Most Expensive Spanish Wine You’ve Never Heard Of” by Julien Miquel, created for the Bonner Private Wines YouTube Channel.
