2022 Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Rioja Blanco

A floral, fruit-forward blend of 80% Viura, 15% Malvasia, and 5% Tempranillo sourced from vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. Tree and citrus fruit aromas lead into flavors of pear, lemon, and boxwood. Zesty acidity is balanced by lees aging to create a wine that is simultaneously fresh and complex with a persistent finish. 

Considered one of the best wineries in Rioja, Valdemar’s history stretches back to the 1880s and includes major breakthroughs in Rioja history, including the very first barrel-fermented white wine. They’ve enhanced the classics, revived dead grape varieties, and forged new styles that continually reimagine what Rioja is and can be.

Winemakers Ana and Jesus Martinez Bujanda Mora took the reins from their father, renowned winemaker Jesus Martinez Bujanda, realizing his vision and creating their own.  The brother, Jesus Jr., was recently recognized in Wine Enthusiast’s highly coveted 40-under-40 list for pioneering expansions to Washington State’s Walla Walla region.

The family is highly focused on sustainable viticulture, which fits within their mission to promote obscure, nearly extinct indigenous varieties that thrive in the area and demonstrate incredible, terroir-driven expressions. They are widely credited with reviving Tempranillo Blanco, Graciano, and Maturana.