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Valpiedra Winery Guide

Winery Overview

Finca Valpiedra is an exceptional, single-estate Pago in La Rioja established as one of the best Rioja newcomers for over a decade. It is the realization of a dream long-held by the Martínez Bujanda family, who have been cultivating vineyards and producing superb wines in the Rioja region since the late 19th century. In 1889 Joaquin Martínez Bujanda, the current owners’ great-grandfather, established a small Bodega in Oyon village near the Riojan capital Logroño. Since these humble beginnings, the family has become responsible for several other projects and produced wines in many of Spain’s major regions. The energy, passion, and drive that this family display is remarkable, as they constantly strive to craft the finest wines the region can offer.

Finca Valpiedra was established in 1999, although the first vineyards were planted as early as 1974. Right from the outset, the family wanted to pioneer a great single estate in Rioja, in contrast to their earlier beginnings when the fruit was blended from across the various Rioja sub-districts. The current team that runs the empire – Carlos Martínez Bujanda and Pilar Martínez Bujanda – recognized that their chosen location offered an exceptional terroir (a sometimes neglected concept in Rioja) for growing Tempranillo. Furthermore, the vineyards are located in one of the most spectacular parts of the region, flanking the river Ebro between the villages of Cenicero and Fuenmayor, protected from the cold northerly winds by the Sierra de Cantabria.

A formidable brother and sister combo have ensured that strict quality controls and attention to detail are the hallmarks of Valpiedra: from their acute understanding of the specific characteristics of their different ten plots of vineyards to ensure the fruit is hand-harvested and meticulously handled in the winery. Moreover, the family only produces the Finca Valpiedra Reserva wines when the harvest meets their stringent high standards. Therefore, you can be assured that you are enjoying the highest and most consistent if you buy the Reserva quality.

The distinguished estate-bottled Reservas are sublime, structured wines that will age beautifully, although approachable on release. Even their second wine – Cantos de Valpiedra – offers evidence enough of the high standards practiced at Finca Valpiedra. Those lucky enough to have tasted the wines speak of intensity and elegance; incense, vanilla, cedar, mild tobacco, and other spices are all present and correct. And while the Martínez Bujanda family continues to expand into other Spanish regions and vineyards, you suspect that Valpiedra will always remain the crown jewel of this proud family’s heritage – a truly unique and remarkable Rioja icon.

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Further Reading

Author

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James lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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