Ismael Gozalo, often called “The King of Verdejo”, is a fifth-generation winemaker from Nieva, in Segovia, Castilla y León. His vineyards sit at 800–900 metres above sea level, on sandy soils that helped protect many vines from phylloxera. Here, Ismael works with some of Spain’s oldest ungrafted Verdejo vines, including parcels believed to be well over 200 years old.

Before creating MicroBio Wines, Ismael co-founded Ossian, one of Spain’s most respected white wine projects. MicroBio, however, is his most personal and experimental work: a free space where he can explore Verdejo in all its forms, from crystalline and mineral to wild, oxidative, textural and deeply complex. His world is often described as the “República Independiente del Verdejo” — an independent republic built around one grape, one place and one very singular vision.

The vineyards are farmed organically and without synthetic chemicals, with deep respect for the old vines and their fragile ecosystem. The combination of altitude, sandy soils, extreme continental climate and ancient root systems gives the wines remarkable tension, concentration and freshness. These are not simple aromatic whites; they are living, layered wines shaped by age, place and patience.

In the cellar, Ismael works naturally and intuitively. Fermentations are spontaneous, the wines are unfiltered, and sulfur is used minimally or not at all. He works with a wide range of vessels, including amphorae, old barrels, stainless steel and glass demijohns, choosing each container according to the wine’s character rather than following a fixed recipe.

MicroBio is best known for its radical, soulful expressions of Verdejo, but Ismael also makes reds from varieties such as Mencía, Garnacha and Tempranillo. Across the range, the wines are energetic, expressive and boundary-pushing, yet always connected to their origin. They are wines for curious drinkers: pure, unpredictable and full of life.