Welcome to the second week of an exhilarating journey through the captivating world of Garnacha wines in Northern Spain! This multi-week exploration has been meticulously crafted to delve deep into the heart of Garnacha, a wine varietal that remains unjustly overlooked despite consistently ranking among the world's top wine producers. How can something so prolific remain shrouded in mystery and underappreciated, you may wonder? The answer lies in Garnacha, or Grenache, as it is more globally recognized, being a key player in the art of wine blending, harmonizing effortlessly with varietals like Syrah and Mourvèdre, and conjuring magic with each partnership. For those acquainted with French wines, Châteauneuf-du-Pape springs to mind—a paragon of class and elegance in wine blends, primarily composed of Garnacha, along with a select assortment of grapes, including the aforementioned Syrah and Mourvèdre. Host David Wilson is given the key to the beloved underground wine museum. Meanwhile, in Spain, an exciting transformation is occurring within the wine realm. A new generation of winemakers has turned its spotlight on Garnacha as a solo act, garnering attention like never before. In Spain, massive co-operatives have evolved since the 1940s, with countless growers adhering to rigorous standards to cultivate some of the world's finest grapes. At the heart of these co-operatives, you'll find exceptional winemaking facilities producing an array of truly remarkable wines from this collective effort. This is the epitome of communal dedication. While Garnacha has a storied history spanning centuries, recent endeavors to raise awareness are finally bearing fruit, ushering in Garnacha's finest hour. An organization deeply committed to elevating Garnacha to its rightful prominence is Asociación Origen Garnacha. Under the leadership of Carolina de Funes, Grape Encounters embarked on an unforgettable journey to the heart of what is affectionately known as "Garnacha Land," providing a ringside seat and a bird's-eye view into the creation of one of Spain's most cherished wines. This expedition pushed the limits of Grape Encounters Radio, taking them on a challenging adventure. While the exact kilometers covered were not tallied, it's safe to say that the efficiency of Italian cars was a blessing! Their day commenced at Bodegas Aragonesas, where they were warmly received by remarkable individuals like David Jimeno and Ana Chueca, the export managers of the company. Bodegas Aragonesas proudly represents wines from two cooperatives. Remarkably, in a town with a population of merely 750, 400 residents are grape growers. The day kicked off with hands-on vine pruning, followed by an enlightening deep dive into the often misunderstood world of cooperative winemaking. Understanding this model reveals the secret behind enjoying some of the world's finest wines at a fraction of the cost of American and other international wines. And, where business meetings occur, you can bet on an extensive, delectable lunch that stretches into a leisurely 2-3 hour affair. Their journey then led them to the eerie and enchanting witches' village of Trasmoz. This stop was a peculiar one for David Wilson, as he harbors an aversion to all things spooky, from things that go bump in the night to witchcraft, monsters, and even Halloween trick-or-treaters. To add to the intrigue, Trasmoz is a town excommunicated by the Spanish government. However, fear not, for David had garlic tucked away in his pocket! Arriving in Trasmoz, the setting was nothing short of cinematic—dark, gloomy, and an ideal backdrop for a Stephen King novel or film. Their hosts, Oscar and Caroline, seemed straight out of central casting for a movie set in an excommunicated witch's village in the eerie Spanish hinterlands. Perched atop a hill,