The winery is located in the west of the Spanish DO area Ribera del Duero. The name has nothing to do with Sicily, but is derived from Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of church music. Vega means "fertile plain". It was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lacanda y Chaves. He had gained practical experience in Bordeaux and began to build a Médoc-style vineyard near Valbuena on the banks of the Duero river. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which he had brought back from France, but soon discovered that the indigenous variety Tinta del País(Tempranillo variety) would produce equally excellent results if cared for properly. Barrique barrels brought from France were used for ageing.
The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena