2019 Dominio de Pingus Pingus

A Dane who conquered Spain with one of the most iconic wines ever: that’s how the story of Dominio de Pingus begins.

The history of Dominio de Pingus

Peter Sisseck, born in Denmark, arrived in Ribera del Duero in the early 1990s. He worked as an oenologist at Hacienda Monasterio and discovered the huge potential of the local Tinto Fino grape. In 1995 he made his first wine in a small garage in Quintanilla de Onésimo. It was named Pingus, after his Danish childhood nickname. What started as a small experiment quickly grew into a legend. When influential American wine critic Robert Parker tasted it, Pingus became world-famous overnight.

The winemaker Peter Sisseck

Sisseck is considered one of the most influential winemakers in Spain, even though he originally comes from Copenhagen. Before moving to Ribera del Duero, he gained experience in Bordeaux and California. That international background shaped his approach: respect for tradition combined with a sharp eye for detail and innovation. He works meticulously in the vineyards, strongly believes in biodynamic principles, and always sets the bar extremely high. This perfectionism explains why even his so-called ‘second wine’, Flor de Pingus, is sought after all over the world. His name is inseparable from quality and from redefining Ribera del Duero as a leading wine region.

Where does the name Pingus come from?

The name Pingus was Peter Sisseck’s childhood nickname in Denmark. Friends and family used it casually, without any special meaning. When he made his first own wine, he deliberately chose this nickname. It gave his project a personal and distinctive identity.

The vineyards and old vines

From the very beginning, Sisseck focused on old Tinto Fino vines. In Ribera del Duero these are becoming rare. Back in 1990 there were thousands of hectares of old vines, but today only a fraction remains. The vineyards for Pingus are located around the village of La Horra and consist of tiny plots. Some vines are more than 80 years old, surviving even before the phylloxera crisis. These old vines yield little fruit, but produce grapes of remarkable intensity and concentration.

The different wines of Pingus

Pingus itself comes from two special plots in La Horra: Barroso and San Cristóbal. The soils combine gravel, sand, clay, and limestone, creating a unique balance. Production is extremely limited, around 6,000 bottles a year.

Flor de Pingus is his second wine, made from sixteen plots around La Horra and Roa. Still largely old vines, complemented by younger plantings. Production is bigger, but still small compared to the demand.

Psi was launched in 2007 together with Pablo Rubio. This project is about working with local growers who own old vineyards. The idea is to make wines that stay true to Ribera del Duero’s traditions, showing balance and purity rather than just power. Psi is vinified in cement tanks and large oak casks, giving a fresher and more approachable style.

Climate and altitude in Ribera del Duero

The climate in Ribera del Duero is harshly continental. Summers are hot, winters cold, and the temperature swings between day and night are extreme. The vineyards sit high, between 700 and 920 meters. This altitude brings cooler nights, helping the grapes ripen slowly and maintain freshness. That’s why Pingus wines combine power with elegance and tension.

Interesting facts about Pingus

• The very first Pingus was literally made in a garage – a classic ‘garagiste’ story.
• Every grape for Pingus is destemmed by hand, one by one.
• Yields are extremely low: often only 11 hectoliters per hectare.
• Pingus was one of the first great names in Spain to embrace biodynamics.
• Because of its scarcity, Pingus bottles have become collectors’ items worldwide.

Order Dominio de Pingus online?

At Grandcruwijnen you can find the wines of Dominio de Pingus in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, ensuring perfect storage. Ordering is easy online. If you choose ‘Pick up’ at checkout, you’ll immediately see the discount for collection in Dordrecht.

Spanish wines: centuries of tradition with a modern twist

Spain is one of those countries where wine runs deep in the culture. Grapes have been grown here since Roman times, and wine has always been part of daily life — from small villages to big cities. In the twentieth century, Spanish wine began to gain international attention, and today Spain ranks among the largest wine-producing countries in the world. Yet that local, authentic character remains very much alive.

What many people don’t know is that Spain has the largest vineyard area in the world. This is due to the wide spacing of the vines and the dry climate. The vines are planted far apart to save water, resulting in low yields but grapes with great concentration and character. You can taste it in the intensity of the wines.

Famous Spanish wine regions: from Rioja to Rías Baixas

The most famous region is of course Rioja. This is where Spain began modernizing its wine industry in the nineteenth century, partly thanks to French winemakers who fled to Spain after the phylloxera outbreak. They brought new techniques like oak aging, which gave Rioja its recognizable smoothness and subtle vanilla notes. Today, Rioja offers everything from young, fruity reds to refined Gran Reservas aged for many years.

Further inland lies Ribera del Duero, now just as famous. Here, hot days and cool nights create full-bodied, powerful red wines with aromas of dark fruit, cocoa, and spice. Big names like Vega Sicilia and Pingus have put this appellation on the global map.

In the cooler north you’ll find Rías Baixas, where the white Albariño grape thrives. These wines are fresh, elegant, and lightly saline — perfect with fish and shellfish. Albariño has become hugely popular in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and the U.S., and for good reason: it’s one of Europe’s most refreshing white wines.

Emerging Spanish wine areas and native grapes

In recent decades, Priorat has become one of Spain’s most exciting wine regions. Located in Catalonia, with steep slopes and poor slate soils, it produces powerful, intense wines made from Garnacha and Cariñena that now rank among the world’s best.

Other lesser-known areas are also gaining attention. In Bierzo and Valdeorras, producers craft elegant red wines from the Mencía grape, which has a character reminiscent of Pinot Noir. In the south, around Jumilla and Yecla, the sun-loving Monastrell grape produces rich, spicy wines. And in Rueda, the Verdejo grape delivers crisp, aromatic whites that pair beautifully with light dishes or warm summer evenings.

The growing popularity of Spanish wine worldwide

Spanish wine has seen impressive growth in recent years. Across Northern Europe, the U.S., and Asia, more people are appreciating the combination of quality, authenticity, and affordability. While French or Italian wines often come with hefty price tags, Spanish wines remain pleasantly accessible.

The trend toward organic and natural wines also plays to Spain’s strengths. The dry climate means fewer vine diseases, making organic cultivation easier. Many younger winemakers now embrace minimal-intervention winemaking — letting nature take the lead while focusing on purity of grape and soil expression.

Fun fact: Spaniards themselves are drinking less wine than before, but the quality of what they drink is higher than ever. Wine has shifted from something ordinary to something to savor consciously.

Interesting facts about Spanish wine

• Spain has more than 400 native grape varieties.
• In parts of Andalusia, vines over 100 years old are still in production.
• The highest vineyards in Europe are found in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
• Cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, is made using the same traditional method as Champagne, but is often much more affordable.

Spain isn’t just one wine country — it’s a mosaic of styles, climates, and traditions. From elegant Rioja to mineral Priorat, from crisp Albariño to spicy Monastrell, there’s always something new to explore.

Buy Spanish wine online?

At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find a carefully curated selection of Spanish wines, sourced directly from renowned estates and small family producers. Every bottle is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse to ensure perfect quality. When ordering online, you can choose home delivery or pick up your order at a discount in Dordrecht. The discount appears automatically when you select ‘Pick up’ during checkout — a great way to enjoy exceptional Spanish wine at an even better price.