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/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022
La Tenada: become a member and have your own wine Your own bottle of wine is no longer a dream but a potential reality
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Juan A. Hernández and Madison Choudhry, The Weekly Journal
f it is true that the more you love something, the more you speak of it, then it would seem the world is madly in love with wine. When it comes to the number of proverbs pertaining to wine they seem to outnumber the bottles themselves. The poet Rumi once exalted: “Either give me more wine or leave me alone.” On his part, philosopher Paul Tillich surmised, “Wine is like the incarnation –it is both divine and human”. Those who claim to love wine speak of it with the same language one may reserve for a lover or a cherished idol. Too many it is more than a drink… it is an experience. And, it is this experience, this personal connection, what drives many to the wine industry. Nevertheless, while alluring, the time, money, and the all-around know-how required to build a winery is a daunting task. With such dismal prospects many dismiss their dream of creating required is to have a love for wine, and a desire to their own wine even before they start. But, do discover,” said Bodegas Valduero representative not despair would be wine entrepreneurs of the Alfonso González. world. A unique solution has emerged. Members’ bottles are personalized with a strip La Enoteca, a spirit disruptor on their lower half with his own in San Juan, has teamed up logo, or a word or phrase of with Spanish wine maker their choosing. Members may Bodegas Valduero to offer also sign the lid of their barrel, budding wine entrepreneurs a which will then be hanged novel opportunity. The fortuity on the cave along with those emerges as an exclusive of renown American writer Members’ bottles membership to Bodegas Ken Follet, Spanish fashion are personalized Valduero’s La Tenada, a designer Agatha Ruiz de la with a strip on their venture in which members Prada, soccer star Cristiano lower half with his acquire a wine barrel, holding Ronaldo and world renown own logo, or a word approximately 300 bottles tenor Plácido Domingo, among or phrase of their of 750mL each, of one of others. choosing. Valduero’s wines, and the La Tenada has only 175 possibility to customize the members, so far, five of which bottles’ label at will. are from Puerto Rico. As for the wines, each person can choose the one he or she prefers, Your own personal wine starting with a base wine from a 100% For many, the possibility of having their own bottle of wine may had been a faraway dream. But “tempranillo” grape, and up to prized wines valued with over 95 points in international competitions. with La Tenada membership that dream becomes “The owner of a barrel is given the full a reality. “This is an initiative that allows you to enjoy wine experience, from visiting the Valduero vineyard, at the same level as professionals, sommeliers and where his/her wine is cultivated, to seeing the importers. Here there are no pretensions, because complete elaboration process, culminating with the final product: your own wine,” Ballester Hermanos the club can be for anyone, the only thing that is
In fact,
This is an initiative that allows you to enjoy wine at the same level as professionals, sommeliers and importers. Alfonso González, Bodegas Valduero
wine specialist Pedro Riollano explained. The membership includes invitations for 20 people, with 20 wine tastings and meals at the winery’s restaurant. The member could opt for a one time experience accompanied a group of friends and family, or visit several times during his membership, depending on his preference. Also, members could decide to offer the some of the visits to family and friends as a gift. “This opportunity offers our customers an exclusive experience, which goes beyond the wine in the glass. La Tenada membership achieves an unparalleled connection between the wine and the aficionado. It is much more than a club, it is being part of a unique land that offers its best with each grape,” said Juan A. Riollano, manager of La Enoteca.
