Modest, passionate and in no small part obsessive, Abel Mendoza and Maite Fernández have been making understated wines from their old vine vineyards, high up in the Cantabrian mountains near San Vicente de la Sonsierra since the late 80s.
His intimate knowledge of the diverse terroirs in this spectacular part of Rioja is enthralling, and every barrel tasted reveals startling provenance and true character of the vintage. Abel doesn’t make wines that flatter, they don’t speak of oak regimes, but rather of the quality of his fruit, expressed in its most honest form.
"Maite and Abel’s wines are very special, suffused with personality and intellect, and were some of the most exciting that I met in Rioja."
- Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Highlights
Undeniably one of Rioja’s top white wine producers, but also producing beautiful, understated reds of impeccable finesse and quality.
With an attention to his vineyards verging on an obsession. Sustainability and living vineyards are at the heart of his philosophy.
Awarded ‘Winemakers of the Year’ by Tim Atkin MW in his Rioja Report 2015 … with other notable winners including Jorge Muga and Telmo Rodríguez.
