GPE Media Kits_ Region 3 Ebro River Valley_FINCA VALPIEDRA_EN

Located in one of the great curves of the Ebro River, Valpiedra is Spanish for “Stone Valley,” stands out precisely due to its soils, made up of pebbles, so atypical in the D.O.Ca. Rioja. . The winery owns 198 acres (80 ha) of vineyards spread across 14 parcels distributed in three terraces that descend to the river itself. Its fruit is in harmony with its surroundings and clearly expresses the exceptional terroir from which it comes, in the Rioja Alta subzone. A knowledge treasured by five generations of this winemaking saga that, after 135 years of history, has made Finca Valpiedra known for producing single vineyard Rioja wines with great personality and depth.

KEY FACTS

CLIMATE: ContinentalwithAtlantic influence,withsomewarmeryearsduetoa majorMediterraneaninfluence;hotsummer daysandcoolnights

ELEVATION: 1,378feet(421meters)

SOILS: Alluvialwithsandy-loamtextureand coveredwithpebbles

CLASS: DOCaRioja

HISTORY

Founded just 25 years ago in 1999, Finca Valpiedra is a relatively new winery. But the people behind it – the Martínez Bujanda family – have been making wine for 135 years. Now with the fourth and fifth generation working together, they dedicate their efforts to preserve the terroir that makes their wines unique year after year.

VINE: 198acres(80ha)across14parcels

KEY VARIETALS: Tempranillo, Graciano,Garnacha,MaturanaTinta,Viura, WhiteGarnacha,Malvasia,WhiteMaturana

ECO: Practicingorganic,with certificationin2024

INNOVATE: Geneticresearchof Tempranillo,organicwines,traditional viticulture,masalselectionfromtheoldest vineyards

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,joinedthecompanyin2019.

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.

FincaValpiedrapracticesminimalinterventionin the vineyard and cellar. The wines will be certified organic in 2024, and the estate has made significant investments in biodiversity, protectingindigenousfloraandfaunawhichalso help in maintaining vine health. For example, a local population of bats control flying insects, and well-positioned stands of trees block strong winds which would otherwise dry out the vines and increase the need to irrigate. Valpiedra has also cultivated indigenous flora in order to encourage more nutrient-rich soils that will lead tohealthierfruit.

GOOD TO KNOW

Carlos and Pilar say that when their father Jesús bought Finca Valpiedra in 1974,itwasatimewhenwineriesgave lessimportancetothevineyards.Sinceit wasanestatedifficulttocultivatewith so many stones, others in the area laughed. When they asked why he bought such a rocky property, he calmly answered, “If the vines won’t grow,wewillmakeaquarry.”

TERROIR

TheEbroRiveristheoverarchingfeatureofValpiedra,whichaffectsthespecificity of both climate and soil. The river primarily contributes to the region’s humidity and protects the vines from frost, while the surrounding Sierra de Cantabria Mountains provide cover from cold northerly winds. The climate hovers between Atlantic and Mediterranean, with long, warm summers ideal for correct ripening ofthegrapes.

The landscape is distributed across three terraces that descend to the river, further divided into 14 separate plots. The soil is alluvial, with stones and limestoneinterspersedthroughout.Theproperty’snamesakestonesoilsfavorthe balanced access of the vines to water by inhibiting the dehydration of the vines bypreventingrapidevaporationduringthehottestdaysofthesummer.Theyalso retain the sun's heat and helps the grapes to ripen. A high level of calcium, nitrogen, phosphorous, copper and iron all contribute to the natural acidity of the soil.

VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING

TEMPRANILLO Estate vineyards were planted in the 60s and 70s, before the expansion of Rioja vineyards with very productive Tempranillo clones in the 80s. Valpiedra used a massal selection of low-yielding old vines from the Rioja Alta area. The mix of high-density planting in goblet form supports an ideal vegetative balance. This variety is used for Finca Valpiedra and Cantos de Valpiedra.

MATURANA & GARNACHA Valpiedra grows the native Maturana grape. It has intense color, high acidity, medium alcohol content and tends aromatically toward herbal, balsamic and spicy notes. Maturana’s notable structure and acidity lend freshness and nerve to Tempranillo blends. They also make a Garnacha from an experimental seven-acre (three ha) plot, where buds from centennial vines were grafted onto other old vines.

WHITE VARIETIES Though Valpiedra is known for red wines, white varieties are the protagonists in the estate’s oldest plot. La Peñadel Gato is a 120-year-old plot with the Viura variety, in addition to planted vines of Malvasía, Maturana Blanca and Garnacha Blanca. The small amount of white grapes was previously added to the red Reserva, and is now vinified as Finca Valpiedra Reserva White.

ORGANIC VITICULTURE The vineyards are fertilized with organic matter, avoiding synthetic treatments. All fruit in Finca Valpiedra is harvested by hand and undergoes a two-stage selection: first on the vine, and then on the sorting table to ensure that only the highest-quality fruit goes into the press.

How is the terroir reflected in the wines of Finca Valpiedra?

Finca Valpiedra makes wines reflective of their predominantly stony terroir, which allows for steady, complete ripening of the polyphenols and aromatics. FincaValpiedraReserva,forinstance,hasaprofilethat is more vertical than horizontal, with pronounced minerality, floral and balsamic notes on the nose and afinely-tunedpalate.

Likewise, Cantos de Valpiedra is an authentic reflection of Valpiedra Tempranillo. Here, the alluvial soil brings a verticality and silkiness to the wine. On thenose,itmaintainstheterroir’saromaticprofilewith minerality and balsamic notes. The palate shows a silky, elegant texture and a breadth of flavors with low alcohol.

FINCA VALPIEDRA PORTFOLIO:

Finca Valpiedra Reserva, Finca Valpiedra White Reserva, Petra de Valpiedra, Cantos de Valpiedra

Finca Valpiedra Reserva DOCa Rioja

Varieties

92% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano, 4% Maturana Tinta

Vinification

Singularities of the Winery

Finca Valpiedra has a single extension of 198 acres (80 ha) of vineyard, which is unusual in Rioja. All 14 parcels benefit from the stony, alluvial soil, whereas clay is more common in the rest of the region. Their location on a curve of the Ebro River also brings a unique microclimate that is a moderating influence onextremes.

Why is Finca Valpiedra a Grandes Pagos de España winery?

The association represents the philosophy of Familia Martínez Bujanda and the added value that they strive to bring to their wines and estates. They share the passion for the pursuit of excellence, the singularity of their pagos and stewardship of the environment to

Fermentation in stainless steel; aged 22 months in French oak

Good to Know

Graciano and Maturana bring acidity to the final blend

Fermentation in stainless steel; aged 12 months in French and American oak

Good to Know

Cellar aging before release; classified as a crianza

Diego Martínez Aroca dmartinez@bujanda.com