Finca Montepedroso was founded in 2008 by Familia Martínez Bujanda in DO Rueda in the heart of Castilla y León. With more than a century of experience in making fine wine, the family sought to expand their estates to continue their legacy of producing exceptional wines in the best wine-growing areas of Spain. Lauren Rosillo, technical director of Familia Martínez Bujanda, traveled to several areas known for their prestige in the production of white wines, such as New Zealand and South Africa for training and, eventually chose Rueda for this project due to its potential for making excellent wines with the Verdejo variety.
KEY FACTS
CLIMATE: Continental extreme with little rainfall, under 400 mm per year
VINE: 61 acres (25 ha) on 4 parcels
HISTORY
DO Rueda is nestled between two hillsflankedbytheZapardielRiver. Rueda has an ancient wine tradition dating back to Roman times. Verdejo is a native grape variety, capable of resisting cold and drought. In honor of its long winelegacy,Ruedawasdeclareda Monumental and Historic-Artistic Site of Spain and an Asset of CulturalInterest(BIC).
GOOD TO KNOW:
Las Riberas de Castronuño, the only nature reserve in the province of Valladolid,islocatedonlyahalfanhour from the winery. The rich, natural environment allows visitors to enjoy equestrianandhikingtrails.
THE FAMILY
Finca Valpiedra is a family-owned and family-run winery. The fourth-generation owners, Carlos and Pilar Martínez Bujanda, followed their ancestors in developing and promoting the culture of estate wines. Pilar's daughter, Marta, joined the winery in 2002 and is in winery management like her mother. Adrián, Carlos’ youngest son, joined the company in 2019.
Winemaker Lauren Rosillo has worked with the family since 2002 as technical director and vineyard manager, remaining committed to the culture of single-vineyard estate wines that the Martínez Bujanda family helped create.
SUSTAINABLE VALUES
Finca Montepedroso is committed to ecologically sound practices and is in the process of organic certification. They have installed solar panels on the estate and instituted a rainwater collection program to conserve resources. Additionally, the building that houses the winery is made of materials from the zone to integrate more seamlessly with their surroundings. Their partially underground cellar is naturally cool and does not require energy for temperature control.
TERROIR
Finca Montepedroso is located on a plateau 2,460 feet (750 m) above sea level. The estate has three soil types that correspond to the flat top of the plateau and ravine slopes. Almost 75% of the vines are in a north orientation on the plateau top where stony alluvial soils dominate. Clay soils are found on a slope with 10% grade where the oldest vines are planted. Another slope with up to a 20% grade has lime and clay sediments.
The climate is also responsible for the quality of wines produced at Finca Montepedroso. With long, cold winters, hot summers and little annual rainfall, the vines are forced to reach deeper into the soil for water and nutrients. With 2,600 annual sunlight hours, the wide diurnal temperature shifts and the late budding and ripening cycle of Verdejo at the Montepedroso pago are crucial to help the grapes maintain their acidity.
Aerial views: the estate (left), with green overlay indicating Verdejo vines registered in D.O. Rueda (center), overlay with soil qualities from edaphological study for white grape varieties (right)
Familia Martínez Bujanda built a functionalandsingularwinery,almost at ground level of the plateau, with materials of the area to perfectly incorporateitselfintothesurrounding vineyards.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
VITICULTURE
Finca Montepedroso is dedicated to growing a massal selection of old Verdejo vines called Palo Rojo, which are different from the common clones typically planted. The results are wines with a varietal expression found in an authentic Verdejo. Yields are limited to 3 tons per acre (7,500 kg per ha), and vines receive controlled deficit irrigation only during years of severe drought when rainfall is less than 400 mm. Because of the thin-skinned, oxidative nature of the Verdejo grape, Finca Montepedroso harvests in the cool of the night to prevent oxidation, preserve freshness and harness maximum acidity.
WINEMAKING
The wines of Finca Montepedroso are not aged in oak. The estate’s namesake wine, Finca Montepedroso, is aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks for five months. Weekly stirring occurs to make sure the lees have full contact with the wine. The estate’s second wine, Montepedroso Enoteca, is also aged on lees. It is then aged for 9 months in concrete eggs,, which dissipates the floral qualities of the Verdejo and gives way to notes of incense and smoke while still maintaining its color.
The Verdejo grape was supposedly broughtintothisregionmorethan 1,000 years ago, even before the MoorishruleofIberia.
the estate — especially after a period of bottle aging. There is freshness with tension on the palate, thanks to thegoodacidityofthegrapes.
The other cuvée, Montepedroso Enoteca, is an evolution from Finca Montepedroso. Aging in concrete eggs causes the floral notes to be replaced by mineral notes such as incense and smoke, yet it maintains the same tensionandtasteonthepalateasFincaMontepedroso.
FINCA MONTEPEDROSO PORTFOLIO:
Finca Montepedroso, Montepedroso Enoteca
Why is Finca Montepedroso a Grandes Pagos de España winery?
Grandes Pagos closely represents the philosophy of
Finca Montepedroso DO Rueda
Varieties
100% Verdejo
Vinification
18 hours cold maceration, then a 35 day fermentation at 16°C/60° F. 5 months on the lees with weekly battonage
Good to Know
Due to its fresh, high acidity, this wine can be enjoyed right away or left to age for a richer texture
Montepedroso
Enoteca DO Rueda
Varieties
100% Verdejo
Vinification
5 months on the lees with weekly battonage in stainless steel, then 9 months on the lees in concrete eggs
Good to Know
Enoteca has a year of bottle aging before release to encourage depth and complexity of this great wine for ageing
MONTEPEDROSO
Cno. de La Morejona, s/n
47490 Rueda
Valladolid
Contact: Diego Martinez Aroca
Email: dmartinez@bujanda.com
