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Wineries to watchVíctor Ausejo's wines unveil the potential of the Iregua valley in RiojaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 10th, 2024 He has been involved in the wine business for only a decade, but his name is increasingly prominent among the producers to watch in Rioja, especially for his Garnacha Blanca wines. |
Wineries to watchTempos Vega Sicilia sets on a mission to craft subtler redsAmaya Cervera | July 9th, 2024 The new vintages that this renowned Spanish group is set to release in the coming months confirm the trend towards elegant, less structured reds with finely textured palates. |
Wineries to watchFélix Callejo embraces a terroir-driven approach in Ribera del DueroAmaya Cervera | June 9th, 2024 The Callejo siblings, the second generation to run the winery founded by their parents, have embraced organic farming, shifted the focus of their wines and thoroughly explored the diversity of terroirs in Sotillo de la Ribera. |
Wineries to watchJosé Antonio García: the charm of a small family winery in BierzoAmaya Cervera | May 5th, 2024 Perhaps more than in other regions, winegrowing in Bierzo is done on a human scale. José Antonio García Viticultor is an example of what a family can achieve by focusing on the quality and identity of its vineyards. |
Wineries to watchRaúl Moreno brings a disruptive vision to the wines of JerezYolanda Ortiz de Arri | April 8th, 2024 Born in Seville, but a globetrotter by nature, this producer and winemaker has settled in Cádiz to create very personal wines that reflect much of what he has learned during his life on different continents. |
Wineries to watchVinos en Voz Baja explores the essence of Rioja OrientalAmaya Cervera | March 3rd, 2024 With barely six hectares under vine and fewer than 30,000 bottles, the company founded by partners Carlos Mazo and Isabel Ruiz is emerging in the 2022 vintage as one of the most interesting and finest voices in Rioja Oriental. |
Wineries to watchFuentes del Silencio: a labour of love to recover forgotten vineyards in LeónAmaya Cervera | February 4th, 2024 This winery is the result of the generous actions of the Alonso Galera family. They are committed to recovering the wine heritage of this remote area in León province and to rescuing vines that had fallen into oblivion. |
Wineries to watchLas Pedreras, young talent and new vineyards in the Gredos mountainsYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 9th, 2024 In a small village in the mountains of Ávila, west of Madrid, oenologist Bárbara Requejo and her partner, chef Guzmán Sánchez, are building an inspiring project with old vine Garnacha and new plantings at high elevation. |
Wineries to watchEduardo Eguren delves into Sonsierra’s terroir trough CuentaviñasAmaya Cervera | December 4th, 2023 The son of Rioja’s star winemaker Marcos Eguren, Eduardo left the Sierra Cantabria family group to start on his own focusing on limited-production, super premium single-vineyard wines from San Vicente de la Sonsierra. |
Wineries to watchDe La Riva: treasuring sites and old wines in Sherry countryAmaya Cervera | November 6th, 2023 Despite their own personal projects, Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez have found in De La Riva a place to delve deeper into the traditional wines of their region and to connect with increasingly passionate and knowledgeable sherry lovers. |
Wineries to watchAseginoloza & Leunda: evocative Garnachas that began as a hobbyAmaya Cervera | October 8th, 2023 Basque names are not easy to pronounce, but any Garnacha from Jon Aseginolaza and Pedro Leunda that you come across is synonymous with meticulous viticulture and wines capable of capturing the landscape. |
Wineries to watch50 years of Contino, a single-vineyard pioneer in RiojaAmaya Cervera | September 10th, 2023 With a new winemaker appointed in 2017 and half a century in business, this idyllic estate, part of the CVNE group, is working hard to meet the challenges of global warming, changing markets and the burgeoning state of the Rioja region. |
Wineries to watchPep Rodríguez, from Soca-Rel: growing local varieties in MallorcaAmaya Cervera | July 11th, 2023 His story and the twists and turns he has taken to make it in the wine business are almost as fascinating as his creations. Could this humble producer become Mallorca's next cult vigneron? |
Wineries to watchPerelada looks to the future as it marks its 100th anniversaryAmaya Cervera | June 6th, 2023 The company is celebrating its 100th anniversary with an eye on the future. It has just inaugurated a state-of-the-art winery designed to make better wines, seems ready to embrace generational change and is keen to expand sales beyond Catalonia. |
Wineries to watchVignerons de la Sonsierra: crafting fine wines from a medieval cellarYolanda Ortiz de Arri | May 9th, 2023 They started just seven years ago, but the project that José Gil and Vicky Fernández have built in San Vicente is one of Rioja's most interesting. Passion, intuition and a clear vision of the future are some of the keys to their success. |
Wineries to watchVictoria Ordóñez and her mission to breathe life back into Montes de MálagaAmaya Cervera | April 6th, 2023 Nowadays, Málaga is often associated with the dry and sweet Moscatel-based whites from the rugged Axarquía region. But the famed wines of the past came from the mountains surrounding this coastal city, where Pedro Ximénez reigned supreme. |
Wineries to watchLagravera: making wine in the land of erased vinesAmaya Cervera | March 6th, 2023 North of Lleida, in inland Catalonia, the recovery and transformation of a gravel pit into a vineyard has benefited from the recovery of some old plots that are a veritable repository of ancient grape varieties. |
Wineries to watchBodegas San Alejandro: a model cooperative in CalatayudAmaya Cervera | February 4th, 2023 This female-led winery from Aragon eludes all the clichés usually associated with cooperatives. Their exporting drive and ability to forge alliances with powerful partners has resulted in a qualitative breakthrough. |
Wineries to watchO Cabalín: Reviving abandoned vineyards in ValdeorrasYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 10th, 2023 With three hectares and upwards of 30 plots, Teresa López champions a brave project to bring back to life the old vines that once covered the slate slopes of the Casoio river valley, close to the border with Castilla y León. |
Wineries to watchVega Sicilia Único 1942-2013Amaya Cervera | December 6th, 2022 This year marks the 40th anniversary of the purchase of Vega Sicilia by the Álvarez family. Celebrations included an unforgettable vertical tasting of Único with a selection of vintages from 2013 to 1942. |
Wineries to watchBernardo Ortega, a new name in Castilla-La ManchaAmaya Cervera | November 3rd, 2022 A producer with family roots in La Mancha, Ortega bravely delves into the region’s cultural codes and historic wine styles making wines with the modest Airén variety in the region’s traditional tinajas. |
Wineries to watchAurelio & Micaela: bringing refinement to Bobal and other wine adventuresAmaya Cervera | October 9th, 2022 This couple of veteran winemakers have set up their own bodega at home in Cuenca, central Spain, to produce the sort of wines they like to drink. Their first achievement: producing velvety reds from the Bobal variety. |
Wineries to watchMestres: the long-ageing bodega that has always championed CavaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 6th, 2022 With over seven centuries farming vineyards in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Mestres launched the first brut nature cava in 1945. Now, the 29th generation maintains the artisan tradition of the first bottlings and the classic character in its range of wines. |
Wineries to watch100 years of Toro Albalá: changing everything so nothing changesYolanda Ortiz de Arri | July 5th, 2022 The Montilla-Moriles producer, who has created its own style of Pedro Ximénez wines, embarks on a new chapter with the arrival of a new generation who seeks to maintain Antonio Sánchez's tradition of craftsmanship but adapted to the 21st century. |
Wineries to watchMiguel Merino: the ups and downs of the second generationAmaya Cervera | June 6th, 2022 Miguel Merino's story shows that there is no easy way to take the reins of a family winery. In fact, the toughest path can eventually lead to the most captivating wines. |
Wineries to watchMas Doix: reds from Priorat that age in styleAmaya Cervera | May 4th, 2022 The Poboleda-based producer organised an extensive vertical tasting of its three top reds, 1902, 1903 and Doix, dating back to 2001. It was a great chance to see their evolution and delve into the contrasting universes of Garnacha and Cariñena. |
Wineries to watchPagos de Villavendimia: preserving old bush vines in RuedaAmaya Cervera | April 1st, 2022 The Vidal family is a rara avis in Rueda. Based in the village of La Seca, the brother and sister team tend their vines in the traditional way and produce an impressive range of limited, single-vineyard wines that can age beautifully. |
Wineries to watchRemírez de Ganuza explores new paths in RiojaAmaya Cervera | March 8th, 2022 A beacon of modernity in Rioja in the 1990s, Remírez de Ganuza has significantly raised the quality of its white wines with the release of a Gran Reserva and is about to launch two elegant and refined reds. |
Wineries to watchViña Zorzal: Navarra varieties, landscape and international outlookYolanda Ortiz de Arri | February 8th, 2022 They do not meet the definition of successful producers, but the Sanz brothers have accomplished something that few bodegas in humble areas do: To improve the perceived quality of Navarra wines and to attract top winemakers to create wines with them. |
Wineries to watchBarco del Corneta: Verdejo from another perspectiveAmaya Cervera | January 8th, 2022 Despite its modest beginnings, this producer working outside the DO Rueda has become a flagship winery in barely a decade. Its success proves that there is room for small, terroir-focused wine businesses in this region. |
Wineries to watchDeconstructing Vega Sicilia ÚnicoAmaya Cervera | December 7th, 2021 A fascinating tasting with winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga helped us to understand the complexity and nuances involved in the making of this legendary Ribera del Duero wine with ten years of ageing. |
Wineries to watchYjar sets the path to excellence in Remelluri’s new eraAmaya Cervera | November 4th, 2021 The release of Yjar, the first Rioja to be sold through the Place de Bordeaux shows the hard work done by Telmo Rodríguez since his return to Remelluri, the family’s property in Labastida. |
Wineries to watchA winegrowing Noah's Ark on the Añina vineyard in JerezYolanda Ortiz de Arri | October 4th, 2021 Alberto Orte and Patrick Mata started selling Spanish wine in the US in 1999. Now they manage one of the most respected importing companies in the country and are immersed in the recovery of historic Andalusian varieties in their 16ha under vine in Jerez |
Wineries to watchSara Pérez, the winemaker who doesn’t fear riskAmaya Cervera | September 7th, 2021 Some wine producers obsessively pursue perfection. Sara Pérez is more interested in understanding the reality that surrounds her and capturing it in a glass of wine. But this often means thinking out of the box and taking risks. |
Wineries to watchQueirón: a family house on the beach in Rioja OrientalYolanda Ortiz de Arri | August 5th, 2021 The owners of Ontañón, one of the largest bodegas in Rioja, have recovered vineyards and caves in the Barrio de Bodegas in Quel to fulfill the dream of the patriarch, Gabriel Pérez, of making wines in his home village with the finest family grapes. |
Wineries to watchAlma Carraovejas and the push of the second generationAmaya Cervera | July 5th, 2021 Since Pedro Ruiz Aragoneses took over the wine interests of the family group in 2007, the business has grown significatively with new wineries in Ribera del Duero, Galicia and Rioja, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a foundation. |
Wineries to watchBodegas Cerrón talks terroir in JumillaAmaya Cervera | June 4th, 2021 In Fuente Álamo (Albacete, Murcia), the fourth generation of the Cerdán family is taking their vines of Airén and Monastrell to the next stage by bottling specific sites. Their new terroir-driven, beautifully presented wines are worth searching. |
Wineries to watchCésar Márquez, a promising name in BierzoAmaya Cervera | May 7th, 2021 For many, he is just the nephew of Raúl Pérez, but one only needs to visit his winery in Valtuille de Abajo and delve a little deeper into his project to realise that César Márquez is carving his own path in this beautiful region of Spain’s northwe |
Wineries to watchDominio de Atauta: making wine in a paradise of hundred-year-old vinesAmaya Cervera | April 6th, 2021 With over two decades of experience under its belt, the producer who championed the treasure trove of extremely old vines from Soria, in Ribera del Duero's eastern end, keeps on exploring the potential of the fascinating Atauta Valley. |
Wineries to watchAmaren: A family legacy and the search for wines with truthYolanda Ortiz de Arri | March 9th, 2021 The winery in Samaniego owned by Luis Cañas Family is focused on old vineyards, the recovery of ancient varieties and single vineyard wines. Jon Cañas, 33, member of the third generation, and his experienced team, ensure that everything runs smoothly. |
Wineries to watchGratias: reviving indigenous grapes in southeast SpainAmaya Cervera | February 6th, 2021 What difference could 50,000 bottles make in the ocean of wine in Castilla-La Mancha? For one thing, they explore the potential of the red Bobal and white Tardana varieties, and avoid the uprooting of vineyards with peculiar grapes such as Pintaíllo. |
Wineries to watchA new lease of life for the long-forgotten wines of AsturiasYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 6th, 2021 Beatriz Pérez and Pepe Flórez quit scientific research to grow vines on the slopes of Cangas del Narcea, an area whose winemaking tradition dates back to the 9th century. With a great deal of work, Bodega Vidas now produces eight wines from 16 plots. |
Wineries to watchForjas del Salnés, the producer who revived the red wines of Rías BaixasYolanda Ortiz de Arri | December 9th, 2020 'Albariño in large containers, and broth in small pots' is a saying that Rodri Méndez takes to heart in his whites but also in his reds made from traditional varieties in this coastal area of Galicia. |
Wineries to watchPeter Sisseck: “The solera is Spain’s gift to the world”Amaya Cervera | November 4th, 2020 The pandemic has not dampened the excitement generated by the release of the first wine made in Jerez by the man behind Pingus. SWL met Peter Sisseck to learn more about his vision of the region, its terroir and the way he is handling his soleras. |
Wineries to watchVillota: wines born on a singular meander in Rioja AlavesaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | October 6th, 2020 For decades, the grapes grown on the spectacular estate owned by Ricardo Pérez Villota's family in Laserna were destined to make Contino wines. Now, Ricardo and his daughter Carmen have created a new and unique project on the banks of the Ebro River. |
Wineries to watchDoniene Gorrondona, the spirit of coastal txakoliAmaya Cervera | September 7th, 2020 Perhaps not as well-known as other producers in the DO Bizkaiko Txakolina, Doniene is a veteran name in the area crafting pure, distinctive txakolis and successfully experimenting with niche wines. |
Wineries to watchFulcro: new wines that enhance the diversity of Rías BaixasYolanda Ortiz de Arri | August 12th, 2020 He has been producing wine for a little over a decade, but Manuel "Chicho" Moldes is making steady progress in his efforts to bottle the diversity of soils and varieties of the Salnés region out of his small bodega-garage in the family home. |
Wineries to watchThe Malvar trilogy and other intriguing wines by Más Que VinosAmaya Cervera | July 5th, 2020 As consultants, Alexandra Schmedes, Margarita (May) Madrigal and Gonzalo Rodríguez are behind some well-known Spanish wines, but the ones they produce in Toledo are among the best in Castilla-La Mancha. |
Wineries to watchArtisan Wine Attraction or the charm of small vigneronsYolanda Ortiz de Arri | June 9th, 2020 Individually they represent a tiny portion of Spanish wine, but united under this brand they were one of the success stories of the Barcelona Wine Week. Now they want to reach consumers more effectively while strengthening the association. |
Wineries to watchExploring Muga’s vineyards in RiojaAmaya Cervera | May 6th, 2020 Spanish and international wine lovers who have visited Muga were probably in awe of the vast number of oak vats and barrels in this winery in Barrio de la Estación in Haro. But how many of them have had the chance to tour the vineyards? |
Wineries to watchPérez Barquero: standard-bearer for quality wines in MontillaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | April 8th, 2020 Founded in 1905, this bodega lends its name to a wine business with 150 hectares of vineyards in the top quality area in the Montilla-Moriles appellation and with one of the finest collections of traditional wines in Andalucía. |
Wineries to watchRamón Bilbao moves into the top single-vineyard category in Rioja with LalombaAmaya Cervera | March 3rd, 2020 Lalomba will soon be much more than a rosé from the foothills of Mount Yerga in Rioja Oriental. It will become a new single-vineyard brand with its own communication strategy and separate facilities where concrete will play a key role. |
Wineries to watchJulia Casado, an artisan voice for Monastrell in SpainAmaya Cervera | February 4th, 2020 Violoncellist and winemaker, Julia Casado is a young, determined woman who has set up her own small project to make natural wines with Monastrell grown in Bullas, in southeast Spain. |
Wineries to watchFinca la Emperatriz: when less is moreAmaya Cervera | January 4th, 2020 Brothers Hernáiz have started 2020 with a revamp of their range of wines. At Finca La Emperatriz they have downsized from seven to four cuvées, with their two new premium wines adding the words ‘Gran Vino’ to their names. |
Wineries to watchTasting “back to front” with Felipe Gutiérrez de la VegaAmaya Cervera | December 4th, 2019 Tastings like the one conducted by Felipe Gutiérrez de la Vega in Alicante last week do not occur every day. The life and interests of this great pioneer of the Southeast were presented in a remarkable collection of old vintages. |
Wineries to watchThe secret to Aalto’s successAmaya Cervera | November 5th, 2019 A flagship wine in Ribera del Duero, it has remained on the limelight from the very moment its was first released. What is the key to its success: the vineyards, the people, the style or a combination of all of them? |
Wineries to watchSandra Bravo: In search of the flavour of Sierra de Toloño in RiojaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | October 5th, 2019 The evolution of Sandra Bravo (Sierra de Toloño) has been remarkable since she settled in Rioja in 2012. With sensitivity and humility, she works to convey the energy of the vines she grows in Villabuena and Rivas de Tereso to her eight wines. |
Wineries to watchPepe Mendoza: redefining the style of Mediterranean winesAmaya Cervera | September 3rd, 2019 After having made a name for the winery founded by his father in the 1980s, Pepe Mendoza has brought all his expertise on Mediterranean wines to Casa Agrícola, his most personal, fascinating project. |
Wineries to watchEstévez: a vision of the Sherry Triangle from Macharnudo to MirafloresYolanda Ortiz de Arri | August 8th, 2019 With 800 hectares under vine and brands like Valdespino, Real Tesoro and La Guita, Estévez is one of the leading wine producers in the Sherry Triangle. We spent a day with technical director Eduardo Ojeda to learn more about this family group. |
Wineries to watchThe one and only Raúl Pérez: new projects in BierzoAmaya Cervera | July 4th, 2019 The influential winemaker has teamed up with new partners to build a new winery for his entry-level red Ultreia Saint Jacques and is exploring new terroirs in DO Bierzo while keeping a watchful eye on the work he does in Valtuille, his village. |
Wineries to watchDiscovering Chiclana with Primitivo CollantesYolanda Ortiz de Arri | June 4th, 2019 Tourist developments and golf courses dominate the skyline of this town on the coast of Cádiz, but there is still a producer bent on working the region's vines, recovering traditional varieties and producing quality wines that express the terroir. |
Wineries to watchFrontonio seeks to make the best Garnacha in AragónAmaya Cervera | May 3rd, 2019 After building a strong reputation for their Garnachas from Valdejalón and Campo de Borja, Fernando Mora MW and his partners have embarked on a very ambitious project: to recover what they claim is a grand cru lost in the Sierra de Algairén. |
Wineries to watchHonorio Rubio: flying the flag for clarete in RiojaAmaya Cervera | April 5th, 2019 Although this producer from Cordovín is not a regular at wine tastings in Spain, it is behind a fine range of exciting wines, notably the local rosé called clarete and a bunch of highly original whites including the multi-vintage blend Añadas. |
Wineries to watchBertrand Sourdais: the French winemaker who fell in love with SoriaAmaya Cervera | March 5th, 2019 After almost 20 harvests in Soria, the easternmost part of Ribera del Duero, Bertrand Sourdais is the perfect host to take us through the landscapes of this isolated region with a striking wealth of old vineyards at high altitude. |
Wineries to watchPuro Rofe: the new wine frontier in LanzaroteYolanda Ortiz de Arri | February 6th, 2019 Making honest wines that reflect the spectacular landscape and diversity of this island sculpted by the volcano is the goal of Vicente, Rayco, Carmelo, Chicho and the rest of grape growers who are part of this exciting new project in the Canary Islands. |
Wineries to watchCosmic Vinyaters champions rare Cariñena Blanca in EmpordàYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 3rd, 2019 Salvador Batlle arrived from Penedès with the idea of setting out on his own. In this area on the border with France, he came across vineyards of this local but underrated variety that he struggles to preserve as a distinctive trademark of Empordà. |
Wineries to watchArtuke: Balance and distinct personality in RiojaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | December 5th, 2018 Born into a traditional cosechero family, brothers Arturo and Kike de Miguel make original, honest wines from the 25 hectares of vines they own in Samaniego, Ábalos, San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Baños de Ebro, their village in Rioja Alavesa. |
Wineries to watchFrancisco Barona, the champion of old vinesAmaya Cervera | November 5th, 2018 Francisco Barona, 34, is a young, passionate producer who is contributing to enhance diversity in Ribera del Duero by focusing on very old vines, traditional grape growing methods and a relentless search for freshness. |
Wineries to watchValenciso, a 21st century RiojaAmaya Cervera | October 2nd, 2018 Their Reserva ranks among Rioja’s most enjoyable reds and the range of limited-production wines is impressive. Twenty years after its launch, Valenciso has managed to find its own place in Rioja eschewing trends and tags. |
Wineries to watchWilly Pérez and his quest to recover the memory of SherryYolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 5th, 2018 The obsession with the vineyard and the recovery of the wisdom and know-how that brought greatness to sherry is his driving force. In just two vintages, winemaker Willy Pérez and his Barajuela wines have become an avant-garde model based on tradition. |
Wineries to watchVerum: new times and varieties in Castilla-La ManchaAmaya Cervera | August 3rd, 2018 La Mancha, the largest wine region in the world, is all about quantity with bulk and commercial wines leading the way. Verum is a rare exception in the area, as it focuses on quality and terroir. We visited them to learn their experience first-hand. |
Wineries to watchMuchada-Léclapart: albariza meets champagneYolanda Ortiz de Arri | July 4th, 2018 Fate and Ramadan took architect Alejandro Muchada to David Léclapart’s estate in Champagne. Years later, they have joined forces to make white unfortified wines in Sanlúcar, in the heart of the Sherry Triangle. |
Wineries to watchIsmael Gozalo, a benchmark for natural wines in SpainAmaya Cervera | June 4th, 2018 After the success of Ossian, one of Spain’s flagship whites, Ismael Gozalo continues working with very old Verdejo vines in Nieva, his hometown in Segovia. Under the name Microbio Wines, he makes a wide range of natural, artisanal wines. |
Wineries to watchRafael Palacios: the Spanish white specialistAmaya Cervera | May 4th, 2018 A prominent member of the Palacios saga of winemakers, Rafael is working hard to bring his vineyards in Galicia’s Bibei valley back to life after a devastating 2017 vintage as he prepares the launch of his first skin-contact wine. |
Wineries to watchCasa Castillo: waving the flag for Mediterranean viticultureAmaya Cervera | April 4th, 2018 Tucked away in Jumilla (southeast Spain), Casa Castillo is a leading exponent of Mediterranean reds: well-adapted grape varieties dry farming, traditional winemaking and terroir-driven wines. Why aren’t others following? |
Wineries to watchFinca Allende in Rioja rethinks its winegrowing strategyAmaya Cervera | March 4th, 2018 Miguel Ángel de Gregorio is in the news following the release of two new single-vineyard wines. But when SWL visited him recently, we talked about all the changes he is implementing in his vineyards. |
Wineries to watchCallejuela: countryfolk bottling terroir in the Sherry TriangleYolanda Ortiz de Arri | February 5th, 2018 Farmers —or mayetos, as they are known— growing vines and making their own wines are unusual in the region. The Blanco brothers champion the work in the vineyard and the character that terroir brings to their wines above the aging in the cellar. |
Wineries to watchOjuel recovers supurao, a traditional sweet wine from RiojaAmaya Cervera | January 4th, 2018 Miguel Martínez is a young man on a mission to recover local traditions in Sojueja, his home village on the slopes of the Moncalvillo mountains south of Logroño. He has started by rescuing from oblivion an almost extinct sweet wine called supurao. |
Wineries to watchFinca Terrerazo: changing for the betterAmaya Cervera | December 3rd, 2017 Valencian producer Finca Terrerazo showed the world how good the little loved local Bobal variety could be. Behind this achievement lies a painstaking process that the Sarrión family is applying to other vineyards. |
Wineries to watchDominio del Pidio: bringing new styles to Ribera del DueroAmaya Cervera | November 5th, 2017 After building Cillar de Silos into a safe, reliable brand in Ribera del Duero, the Aragón brothers have launched Dominio del Pidio, making traditional style village wines in the old bodega quarter of Quintana del Pidio. |
Wineries to watchAlvear and Envínate: a winning alliance in the heart of AndalucíaAmaya Cervera | October 3rd, 2017 A decade ago, it would have been unthinkable to see the oldest producer in Andalucía joining forces with a group of maverick winemakers. But after a satisfying partnership in Extremadura, Alvear and Envínate have renewed their entente in Montilla. |
Wineries to watchMatías i Torres, in the vanguard of quality wine in La PalmaYolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 6th, 2017 Fifth generation of a winegrowing family based on this island of The Canaries, Victoria Torres fights to preserve the vineyards of this Biosphere Reserve and bring a fresh look to her wines, which reflect the special place where they are born. |
Wineries to watchRioja through the eyes of veteran winemaker Basilio IzquierdoAmaya Cervera | August 3rd, 2017 Almost in his 70s, Basilio Izquierdo is full of energy. After three decades in Cvne, he set up his own small wine business in 2007. Last month we attended a 10th anniversary party with other wine lovers and some of his famous classmates from Bordeaux |
Wineries to watchNin Ortiz family: living a biodynamic life in PrioratAmaya Cervera | July 4th, 2017 Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz love each other and love growing vines on the steep slopes of Porrera, one of Priorat’s most rugged landscapes. Their lives revolve around the vineyards and wines all year round. |
Wineries to watchAlta Alella: The search for terroir expressionYolanda Ortiz de Arri | June 6th, 2017 Organic still wines and cavas that reflect terroir and vintage variations form the basis of this producer located just outside Barcelona. As well as natural wines, they are busy creating local varieties that are adapted to climate change. |
Wineries to watchJorge Monzón: bringing the soul of Burgundy to Ribera del DueroAmaya Cervera | May 4th, 2017 Judging from the impressive old vineyards that Jorge Monzón has managed to assemble in his hometown of La Aguilera (Burgos) in just over a decade, Dominio del Águila could soon become one of Ribera del Duero’s shining stars. |
Wineries to watchCeller del Roure: The future is in the pastAmaya Cervera | April 5th, 2017 Based in the subarea of Clariano, this producer has brought new hope and distinctiveness to the DO Valencia thanks to the recovery of Mandó, a local grape variety with a marked fresh profile, and an ancient underground cellar stocked with amphorae. |
Wineries to watchRiscal has its eye on Verdejo old vines in SegoviaAmaya Cervera | March 2nd, 2017 The old Verdejo vineyards found in Segovia are a new source of excitement for Marqués de Riscal’s project in Rueda. They form the backbone of the new top-of the-range Barón de Chirel white and add consistence to other Verdejos in the range. |
Wineries to watchSuertes del Marqués sets the style for Tenerife winesYolanda Ortiz de Arri | February 3rd, 2017 There is a before and an after of the wines from Tenerife since the arrival of Suertes del Marqués. Their focus on native varieties grown on volcanic soils and devoid of unnecessary make-up have set the style of quality winemaking in the island. |
Wineries to watchViña Sastre, winegrowers in La HorraAmaya Cervera | January 3rd, 2017 Despite being the epitome of powerful Riberas, everything seems to happen easily at Viña Sastre. Extraction is not so much the style; instead, they look for naturally concentrated grapes sourced form some of the best –and oldest– vineyards in the DO |
Wineries to watchBiodynamics and science coexist well at GramonaAmaya Cervera | December 4th, 2016 Over the course of two mornings we joined Jaume Gramona on a walk around his vineyards to learn about his newly discovered passion for biodynamics and, in a far more educational atmosphere, during a sparkling wines workshop he recently led in Madrid. |
Wineries to watchAlba Viticultores: Sparkling a rebellion in SanlúcarYolanda Ortiz de Arri | November 3rd, 2016 Sparkling wine production in the Sherry Triangle started in the 19th century, but some producers like Alba Viticultores in Sanlúcar are recovering the tradition, with a little help from the winegrowers for whom they demand recognition. |
Wineries to watchJavier Arizcuren recovers the wine heritage of Rioja BajaAmaya Cervera | October 4th, 2016 Despite the very few bottles made by this architect and wine enthusiast, the story of Javier is a great example of the recovery of old vineyards in Spain. His are in Quel, his birthplace in Rioja Baja. |
Wineries to watchNanclares y Prieto: juggling with the many faces of AlbariñoYolanda Ortiz de Arri | September 5th, 2016 Having trained as an economist, Alberto Nanclares never consciously planned to become a winegrower but he is now one of Rías Baixas most accomplished interpreters of the Albariño variety along with his business partner Silvia Prieto. |
Wineries to watchJuan Antonio Ponce brings the magic out of BobalAmaya Cervera | August 3rd, 2016 This young winemaker has managed to bring out the best of Bobal, a rustic and harsh variety, while recovering local grapes like Albilla and Moravia Agria in DO Manchuela. His work proves that there is hope beyond Castilla La Mancha’s dull wine image. |
Wineries to watchBarbadillo or the courage to tackle changesYolanda Ortiz de Arri | July 5th, 2016 This family producer, which pioneered wines such the white Castillo de San Diego and the bottlings of manzanilla en rama, rescues old winemaking traditions and novel styles in an effort to renew itself while keeping the essence of Sanlúcar. |
Wineries to watchAbadía Retuerta: in search of lost timeAmaya Cervera | June 2nd, 2016 It’s now 25 years since the recuperation of the Abadía Retuerta estate vineyards in Sardón de Duero (Castilla y León). The winery celebrated the anniversary with a tasting of the first 1996 vintage, which proved to be in pretty good shape. |
Wineries to watchCan Ràfols evokes the magic of Garraf’s chalky soilsAmaya Cervera | May 4th, 2016 Carlos Esteva, the man behind Can Ràfols dels Caus, is a maverick producer. After almost 40 years of immersion in the Garraf terroir in Penedès, he culminates his work with a mammoth winery dug in the chalky rock that defines his wines. |
Wineries to watchDescendientes J. Palacios spearheads change in BierzoAmaya Cervera | April 5th, 2016 Álvaro Palacios and Ricardo Pérez have proved that Bierzo deserves a place of pride among Spain’s most prominent wine regions. We visited the winery and the vineyards to discover what’s behind their captivating wines. |
Wineries to watchAlbamar brings out the freshness of AlbariñoYolanda Ortiz de Arri | March 2nd, 2016 Easy-going and always willing to learn, Xurxo Alba is since 2006 the visible face of Albamar, a small family venture in Galicia’s Salnés Valley where Albariño grapes are let to express their freshest and most vibrant side. |
Wineries to watchMauro paves the way for its expansion into RiberaAmaya Cervera | February 1st, 2016 After several years keeping a low profile, the García family recently released a white Mauro. Now they are set to launch their first Ribera del Duero and a top-of-the-range red in Toro. |
Wineries to watchQuinta da Muradella: the quiet search for wine purityYolanda Ortiz de Arri | January 5th, 2016 If good wines are a reflection of the terroir where they come from, in the case of Quinta da Muradella they also evidence the personality of José Luis Mateo, an honest and humble winegrower who has single-handedly placed Monterrei on the wine world map. |
Wineries to watchRecaredo, a terroir-driven CavaAmaya Cervera | December 2nd, 2015 A singular producer exclusively crafting long-aged, bone-dry vintage Cava, Recaredo is securing its future with new plantings that will give indigenous white grape Xarel.lo a major role in their wines. |
Wineries to watchHacienda Monasterio strengthens its position in Ribera del DueroAmaya Cervera | November 2nd, 2015 Thanks to an enviable price positioning, almost 100 hectares of vineyards in Pesquera de Duero and the recent acquisition of a stake in Montecastro, Hacienda Monasterio emerges as one of the most solid producers in Ribera del Duero. |
Wineries to watchRamiro Ibáñez brings soils and terroir into Sherry countryYolanda Ortiz de Arri | October 2nd, 2015 Inquisitive, dynamic and always willing to learn from the past, Ramiro Ibáñez is, despite his youth, a highly respected winemaker among sherry enthusiasts. What’s so special about this maverick born in Sanlúcar in the 1979 vintage? |
Wineries to watchA walk through 21st century Cvne with Víctor UrrutiaAmaya Cervera | September 2nd, 2015 A legendary producer based in Haro’s Barrio de la Estación, Cvne is living a sweet moment backed by awards and recognition. Nevertheless, CEO Víctor Urrutia is far from relaxed. |
Wineries to watchEl Maestro Sierra: a tale of courage and perseveranceYolanda Ortiz de Arri | August 4th, 2015 The founder was determined to overcome all kinds of difficulties to fulfill his dream of becoming a wine almacenista, so it is no surprise that this renowned sherry winery is managed by three women who excel at going against the tide. |
Wineries to watchScala Dei recovers the heritage of Priorat's monksAmaya Cervera | July 2nd, 2015 Currently working many of the Carthusian’s historic vineyards, Cellers Scala Dei produces single-vineyard Garnacha wines from sites where monks were present 400 years ago. |
Wineries to watchTxakoli comes of ageYolanda Ortiz de Arri | June 2nd, 2015 The evolution of this wine in the past 25 years has been considerable thanks in no small part to producers like Itsasmendi, who are unashamedly trying to put txakoli on a level with other great white wines. |
Wineries to watchAlejandro Fernández, making wine his own way since 1975Amaya Cervera | May 4th, 2015 Which are the clues behind Pesquera’s unique reds? We visit Alejandro Fernández and talk to his friends and acquaintances to find out more about one of Ribera del Duero’s most uncompromising characters. |
Wineries to watchComando G rescues old Garnacha vines in GredosAmaya Cervera | April 2nd, 2015 Meet these young winemakers on a mission: to highlight the quality and potential of old Garnacha vines from the central Spanish Gredos mountains. Their light yet deep and mineral reds are the antithesis of Tempranillo. |
Wineries to watchLa Rioja Alta hails the revival of Gran Reserva winesAmaya Cervera | March 3rd, 2015 As this legendary Rioja winery marks its 125 anniversary, we delve into the history and winemaking behind its famous Gran Reservas. |
Wineries to watchEmilio Rojo, the unconventional winegrowerAmaya Cervera | February 3rd, 2015 An unusual and unique character, Emilio Rojo is behind one of the most sought after whites in Spain of which roughly 5,000 bottles are produced each year. |
Wineries to watchVega Sicilia, 150 years laterAmaya Cervera | January 5th, 2015 Vega Sicilia has been celebrating its 150th anniversary throughout 2014. We review the history of this legendary Spanish wine and ask owner Pablo Álvarez what has changed along the years. |
Wineries to watchDrinking sherry history at Emilio HidalgoYolanda Ortiz de Arri | December 2nd, 2014 Among its 3,200 casks, visitors can feel the efforts carried out by this winery to preserve tradition and the work of generations to maintain a style of wine, beyond fashion trends and business strategies. |
Wineries to watchMarqués de Murrieta. Back to its glory daysAmaya Cervera | November 3rd, 2014 Located on the outskirts of Logroño, this legendary Rioja winery has been closed to the public since 2005, immersed in a comprehensive renovation of its historic buildings. The spectacular Ygay estate has finally reopened its doors to visitors. |
Wineries to watchAlonso del Yerro, terroir-driven wines in RiberaAmaya Cervera | October 6th, 2014 It is not easy to stand out in Ribera del Duero, neither to commit to quality in times of recession but after 10 years of hard work, Viñedos Alonso del Yerro have made a name for themselves among the most distinguished brands in the appellation. |
Wineries to watchBelondrade, 20 years standing up for whitesAmaya Cervera | August 21st, 2014 A pioneer in Rueda, Belondrade has celebrated its 20th anniversary uncorking wines dating back to 2001, thus showing an endless obsession with making the best possible Verdejo whites. |