Wine Enthusiast reinforces Bodegas Valdemar’s leadership in Rioja white wines at a key moment for the category

Finca Alto Cantabria, Wine Enthusiast’s highest-rated Rioja white wine, consolidates a commitment that began more than 50 years ago

Wine Enthusiast reinforces Bodegas Valdemar’s leadership

Against a backdrop of growing global consumption of white wines, Rioja is experiencing a particularly dynamic moment for the category. Today, this trend is reflected in increasing demand and greater international recognition, but for Bodegas Valdemar it is nothing new. Rather, it is the result of a vision that was ahead of its time.

Back in the 1970s, when Rioja was almost exclusively associated with red wines, the Valdemar family made an unusual decision: to invest in the Viura grape and in the development of outstanding white wines with their own distinctive identity. It was a pioneering commitment that today positions the winery as one of Rioja’s undisputed benchmarks for high-quality white wines.

This leadership has been further reinforced in the latest report by Wine Enthusiast, in which the historic Finca Alto Cantabria vineyard received two highly significant accolades. Its barrel-fermented expression, Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria 2023, was awarded 94 points and recognised as the highest-rated white wine from Rioja. Meanwhile, its most innovative expression, Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria Espumoso Gran Añada 2020, was named a “Hidden Gem”, a true treasure to discover within the appellation.

Alongside these achievements, Conde Valdemar Edición Limitada 2020 also stands out with an impressive 95 points and an “Editors’ Choice” distinction, consolidating its position as Valdemar’s “super Rioja” and as an expression of the meticulous selection that defines the winery’s style.

Wine Enthusiast reinforces Bodegas Valdemar’s leadership

Beyond these accolades, Bodegas Valdemar has built a strong portfolio of white wines over the years, with more than five different wines ranging from fresh, approachable styles to age-worthy, highly expressive wines. This diversity reflects both a deep understanding of the vineyard and the winery’s ability to adapt to evolving consumer preferences.

In this new chapter, the fifth generation of the family, led by Ana and Jesús Martínez Bujanda, is driving a clear positioning for the winery: one centred on viticulture, the interpretation of terroir and a winemaking philosophy focused on achieving the highest possible quality. This approach combines tradition and innovation, enabling Valdemar to anticipate and respond confidently to new market trends.

Bodegas Valdemar’s commitment to white wines goes far beyond a passing trend. It is a philosophy rooted in a profound understanding of the vineyard and in the belief that Rioja has enormous potential to produce some of the world’s great age-worthy white wines. It is a vision the family has upheld for decades and one that is now being endorsed both by leading wine critics and by growing demand from consumers around the world.

Finca Alto Cantabria perfectly represents this philosophy. Planted in 1975 and officially recognised as a Viñedo Singular, this historic site has become one of Rioja’s great benchmarks for the Viura grape. Its unique altitude, aspect and soils make it possible to produce wines of remarkable freshness, complexity and ageing potential, qualities that have helped establish this vineyard as one of the most highly regarded in the appellation.

The recent accolades from Wine Enthusiast not only highlight the quality of Bodegas Valdemar’s wines, but also reflect the excellent moment currently enjoyed by Rioja white wines in international markets. It is a landscape in which innovation, a strong sense of origin and a commitment to excellence are increasingly valued by consumers, wine professionals and specialist media alike.

At a time when Rioja white wines have a stronger international presence than ever before, Bodegas Valdemar reaffirms its role as both a pioneer and a benchmark, demonstrating that when trends are born from genuine conviction, they can become the finest legacy.