Tim Atkin’s new Rioja Report 2026 once again ranks Bodegas Valdemar among the most outstanding wineries in the appellation. The prestigious British critic, one of the most influential international opinion leaders in the world of wine and a Master of Wine since 2001, publishes an exhaustive analysis of Rioja every year, which has become a benchmark for importers, distributors, and the specialized press around the world.
In this edition, our wines have not only obtained excellent scores in Tim Atkin’s Rioja Report 2026, but we have also achieved particularly noteworthy positions in two key categories: Podium for best sparkling wine of the year and, in the Wines of the Year section, among the best whites from Viñedo Singular.
The best sparkling wine of the year: Finca Alto Cantabria Gran Añada 2020
Our sparkling wine Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria Viñedo Singular 2020 has been recognized on the podium as one of the best sparkling wines of the year in Rioja, also achieving 94 points.
Produced using traditional methods and sourced from our Finca Alto Cantabria Singular Vineyard, this sparkling wine is the result of meticulous viticulture and a firm commitment to demonstrating Rioja’s potential for great sparkling wines. It is an elegant, vertical, and complex wine, with fine, perfectly integrated bubbles, citrus and white fruit notes, and a marked mineral personality that reflects the character of the vineyard.
This recognition not only consolidates our work in the category of quality sparkling wines, but also reinforces our vision of the estate as the central axis of the Valdemar project.
Finca Alto Cantabria Blanco 2024, among the best Unique Vineyards
The white Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria Viñedo Singular 2024 has also been included among the best Viñedo Singular whites in the report, obtaining 95 points.
Coming from the same enclave as the sparkling wine, this white represents a contemporary and precise interpretation of Viura grapes grown at altitude. It is a wine of great tension and freshness, with aromas of white fruit, flowers, and subtle citrus nuances, which combines volume and balance on the palate with a marked expression of terroir. Its inclusion in this select list confirms the enormous potential of Finca Alto Cantabria as one of Rioja’s leading vineyards for white wines suitable for aging.
Great classics and unique varieties
Tim Atkin’s recognition also extends to other key references from the house:
- Conde Valdemar Gran Reserva, one of our icons, made mainly from Tempranillo grapes and aged for long periods in barrels and bottles. A deep, structured wine with notes of ripe fruit, spices, and elegant toasted nuances.
- Conde Valdemar Reserva, a faithful reflection of the classic Rioja style: balanced, well-rounded, and versatile.
- Valdemar Las Seis Alhajas Graciano, a commitment to minority varieties that expresses aromatic intensity, freshness, and spicy character.
- Valdemar Balcón de Pilatos Maturana, an example of varietal recovery and unique expression, with a vibrant and distinctive personality.
- La Gargantilla by Valdemar Garnacha Blanca, from selected vineyards, fresh, aromatic, and with its own identity marked by the white garnacha grape.
All of them are included in Tim Atkin’s Rioja Report 2026 list of rated wines, confirming the strength and diversity of our project.
Recognition for vineyard work and long-term vision
The high scores obtained in the 2026 report are not the result of a single vintage, but rather the result of sustained work over generations. Since 1889, at Bodegas Valdemar we have been committed to comprehensive vineyard management, winemaking innovation, and respect for the origin.
The fact that a critic of Tim Atkin’s prestige has placed our sparkling wine on the Rioja podium and highlighted our Viñedo Singular wines is international endorsement of a clear philosophy: the future of Rioja lies in differentiation, estate identity, and excellence in every category.
This new recognition encourages us to continue exploring the potential of our unique vineyards and producing wines that authentically reflect their origins.