TELMO RODRIGUEZ

In 1994, Pablo Eguzkiza and Telmo Rodríguez created a Garnacha (Grenache) from old bush vineyards in Navarra. From the start, the aim of the company has been to use native Spanish varieties. This philosophy differed from other producers who had an on-going interest in the planting of foreign varieties throughout every Spanish vineyard region. Another initiative, from the earliest days of the business, is the recovery of abandoned or forgotten vineyards. The aim was to reflect a sense of place based most of all on good viticulture and outstanding growers.

At "Telmo Rodriguez", they seek out the best areas, encouraging the leading growers and making wines that highlight Spanish viticulture. Their most recent project is from the region of Valdeorras, around the town of Las Ermitas, where they met a grower who still pruned his vines using an implement from the Middle Ages – it is from this vineyard that the Gaba di Xil Godello is sourced.

Telmo Rodríguez

Telmo Rodriguez is one of Spain's new breed of young winemakers, advocating a return to native grape varietals tied to the climates and conditions of their sites, and making world-class wines from undiscovered as well as known regions. Telmo studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Bordeaux.

His vineyards are biodynamically farmed. All vines are exclusively bush-trained, the traditional Spanish method, and the vineyard sites are selected for their exceptional terroir using only those varietals traditional to their regions. Telmo was among the first to make significant wines in Toro, Rueda, Valdeorras, Malaga, Alicante and Cigales. In these areas he uses native varietals, often grapes rediscovered such as Godello, Verdejo, Moscatel and Monastrell which do not have wide recognition.