A century-long history
The Viga de Husillo y Quintal press, together with the old winepress, date from 1574, according to documents that appeared in the old Hacienda “Pata de Hierro”, constitute the authentic “Sancta Sanctorum” of Bodegas Góngora, and a true relic as it is the only press of this type that is still in perfect working condition.
The origin of the wineries
The press is made up of a large arm made of Flanders pine, strongly supported by a hemp rope and large iron clamps, at the end of which there is a large screw that lifts two enormous millstones.It is a third-class lever system that allows to press 15,000 kg of grapes in a single operation.
History and tradition
Yearly, at the end of the harvest, Bodegas Góngora maintains the tradition of the rite of obtaining the grape juice with the beam of the winepress. With the grapes, the winemakers form three meters in diameter plateau called “foot”, which is surrounded by several turns of a rope. This mass of grapes is covered with planks in a transverse position called “marranos” on which the “marrana”, the top of the pyramid and point of contact with the beam, rests. At that moment the press is ready to be used under the orders of the master of the press.
