Feature : Rueda

Belondrade

French native Didier Belondrade’s dream was to craft a white wine in the land of Don Quixote. He envisioned creating a Bordeaux-style chateau in Spain. He moved to Nava Del Rey in 1994 to achieve his dreams. In 1996, his first vintage of Belondrade y Lurton aged white wine was released. In 2000, he opened the current winery, a modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking his vines. Today, the winery annually produces 160,000 bottles of premium white and rose wines.

They use cutting-edge winemaking processes like spontaneous fermentation and native yeasts. The company’s foundation supports the arts and holds art exhibitions and musical events at the winery.

We visited Belondrade and met with Didier’s son Jean Belondrade Lurton, Export Sales Manager. Jean gave us a tour and tasting. Later, Didier and his Technical Director and Winemaker, Marta Baquerizo Mesonero-Romanos, stopped by to say hello.

Wines Tasted:

Belondrade y Lurton Organic

Verdejo 2020 *****

$60

Produced from 95% Organic Verdejo and 5 % other varieties. Aged on the lees in French oak barrels.

Golden in color, this Verdejo is slightly smoky with sweet lemon drops, yeast, and marzipan aromas. We found ripe tangerines, melon, almond, and orange pith on the palate with a refreshing finish. One hundred and ten thousand bottles were made.

Belondrade

y Lurton Verdejo 2015 *****

$70

Produced from 95% Organic Verdejo and 5 % other varieties. Aged on the lees in French oak barrels. Yellow/orange color. Aromas of Apricot and Melon. Flavors of candied fruit, bitter, salinity with medium finish. Ninety-five thousand bottles were produced.

Belondrade https://belondrade.com/en/