Feature : Rueda

Bodegas Protos

Protos is an extensive wine conglomerate with five wineries located throughout Spain. Protos means “the first.” Protos Ser Primero is in Peñafiel, a small town in the Valladolid Province. The company was established in 1927 by professionals.

Bodegas Protos is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional winery; it employs effective use of thermal groundmass, a large flexible warehouse, and construction materials in keeping with the local vernacular. The winery was designed by British architect Graham Stirk. The winery project cost 15 million Euros to build.

We met with their export manager and winemaker. The facility was clean and sterile, with stainless-steel tanks and oak barriques. They are now integrating concrete eggs for fermenting their white wines.

Wines Tasted:

Protos Verdejo 2018 ***** $12.99

100% Verdejo sourced from 15-year-old vines.

Aromas of pineapple, citrus, and apples. Bright yellow straw color. Taste of citrus and green apple.

Two million bottles were produced.

Protos Verdejo Cuvee 2021 ****1/2 $16.00

100% organic Verdejo sourced from young vines and fermented in stainless steel (70%) and concrete eggs (30%). Bright yellow straw color. Aromas of minerality and herbs. Flavors of dry apples and citrus. Long finish with bitter notes. Forty thousand bottles were produced.

Protos Verdejo Riserva 2019 ****1/2 $30.00

100% Verdejo sourced from 25-year-old vines and aged for 17 months in the bottle. Yellow gold color. Powerful aromas of herbs and tropical fruits. Delicious full-volume taste of tropical fruits and herbs with a long finish. Fifteen thousand bottles were produced.

Bodegas Protos https://www.bodegasprotos.com/en/rueda-wine-tourism/