The climate is continental with long hot summers, with temperatures reaching 40C and cold winters, falling to 0C, tempered by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea. Planted at 900 meters elevation, the warm daytime temperatures are mitigated by cooler evenings, creating a long ripening period where the fruit develops concentrated flavors balanced by refreshing acidity. The area is arid with low rainfall, most of which falls during spring and autumn; often during violent storms. The soils are dark, lime-bearing and some have a hard lime crust; overall, they are permeable and have good moisture-retaining properties, which allows the vines to survive during prolonged periods of drought. They are poor in organic matter and their structure does not support phylloxera due to the sand content. The vines are cultivated without the use of synthetic products and are manually harvested.