All Vega Sicilia's vines are dry grown and hand pruned, yielding less than two kilos each. Grapes are never picked unless they have achieved high levels of sugar concentration. Vinification usually lasts fifteen days and temperatures may reach as high as 32C. Most of the ferments are carried out in oak vats and followed by the completion of malolactic. Valbuena is a cepage of varying proportions, according to vintage, Tempranillo and Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Vega Sicilia Valbuena is treated to maturation in a selection of new and seasoned, French and American oak casks and larger format oak vats for up to three years, followed by two in the bottle before release.