Bodegas José Pariente

Spain

One of the oldest wine producing areas embarks a new revolution

Fifty years ago, José Pariente tended vineyards in the Rueda growing area and produced his own white wines. Pariente’s daughter Victoria succeeded her father and began producing the winery’s first commercial wines. In 2008, Bodegas José Pariente entered the modern age with new premises and state-of-the-art wine production.

The new facility stands high on a plateau in the Rueda Region whose wine tradition dates back to the 11th Century and King Alfonso VI. The area has always been heavily rooted in vines and is in close proximity to the majestic River Duero that has served as the water source for the area since olden times.

Bodegas José Pariente was the first D.O. recognized in the Rueda Region and is located some two hours northwest of the capital city of Madrid.

The soil in the Rueda is particularly stony, rich in calcium and magnesium. In the higher elevations, outcroppings of limestone are also present. Excellent air and water drainage are also favorable aspects of this particular growing area.

The native and predominating varietal in the Rueda Region is the stately Verdejo grape that normally produces small bunches with tiny seeds and a thick skin. The skin gives the wines of Bodegas José Pariente great structure and adeptly combines both oral and herbal aromas.

Each and every wine selected for our six different Wine Clubs meets our strict guidelines for quality and rating criteria. Each wine is handcrafted by an authentic, small-production boutique winery with a compelling story to tell like the one above. Since our first Gold Wine Club shipment in 1992, we have added five more impressive Wine Clubs to choose from—each a showcase for highly-rated, sought-after wines you can enjoy as a Gold Medal, wine of the month club member.

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Victoria Pariente Prieto - Winemaker

As with many Spanish wineries, present day winemaker Victoria Pariente Prieto learned the winemaking skill at the arm of her father José. Today, she constructs superb white wines that respect the winery’s origins and have a basis in modern winemaking equipment and techniques. She enjoys communicating the terroir and fruit of her vineyards in a passionate and pleasurable manner that has won accolades for her wines in numerous international competitions. Here, too, Victoria’s father’s classic approach to winemaking is always apparent.

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Rueda Region D.O., Spain

Overall, Spain is an elevated plateau with very few parts of the country sitting at sea level. While some of the vineyards are flat, many are nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, nestled into the creases of mountains.

The Rueda Region lies in Spain’s northern central area not far from Spain’s border with Portugal. The area is home to more than 50 bodegas (wineries) that produce Spain’s most sought after white wines.

Famous in Spanish history, the area was a favorite of Spanish King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, most widely known for funding Christopher Columbus’s magnificent voyage of discovery.

Wine is an important part of the region’s history and culture and is sought after by wine connoisseurs in many countries. The area is actually a sub region of the larger Castilla y Leon Region and was the first growing area granted DO status under the current Spanish wine laws.

The Atlantic Ocean influences the region’s weather, with harsh winters. There are strong variations between day and night temperatures allowing for sugar content balance and acidity maintenance.