Spain’s Legendary Cult Wine Pingus: Founder Peter Sisseck on Terroir, Technique, And More

In this episode of The Vint Wine Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Peter Sisseck, the renowned winemaker behind Pingus, one of Spain’s most iconic wines. The conversation delves into Sisseck’s groundbreaking work in Ribera del Duero, his philosophy on vineyard preservation, and the evolution of winemaking in the region.Peter shares his journey from Bordeaux to Spain, his unexpected decision to stay in Ribera del Duero, and how he built Pingus into a benchmark for Spanish fine wine. He discusses the importance of old vines in the region and his efforts to preserve them through the PSI project, working with hundreds of small growers to maintain traditional viticulture. The discussion also explores his innovative pruning techniques, biodynamic practices, and his belief in lighter extractions to enhance balance and aromatic intensity in his wines.Beyond Spain, Sisseck speaks about his projects in Bordeaux, including Château Rocheyron in Saint-Émilion, and his passion for Sherry, where he is pioneering terroir-driven Fino wines with Viña Corrales. He also touches on the influence of climate change and evolving vineyard management practices, as well as the future of Spanish wine classification.Throughout the episode, Sisseck provides fascinating insights into the science and artistry behind winemaking, his reverence for vineyard expression, and why he continues to push boundaries in multiple wine regions. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to Spanish wines, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most visionary minds in the wine world.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:34 Billy's Upcoming Wine Adventures01:40 Interview with Peter Sissick: A Renaissance Winemaker03:28 Weekly Wine News Highlights03:55 Underrated Wines for 202516:00 Peter Sissick's Wine Journey26:17 The Future of Ribera del Duero32:00 Innovative Pruning Techniques32:19 Climate Change and Vineyard Adaptation32:53 Experimenting with Vine Training37:12 Exploring New Varietals and Techniques39:46 Oak Usage and New Vessels44:12 Sherry and Jerez Projects50:32 Challenges and Innovations in BordeauxThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected]!