Producer
Conde Valdemar is the flagship range of Bodegas Valdemar, representing the family’s top expressions of Rioja. Finca Alto Cantabria is one of Rioja’s pioneering single-vineyard white wines and has helped redefine Rioja Blanco as a serious, age-worthy category. The estate’s commitment to detailed vineyard work and careful oak use has been instrumental in raising the profile of white Rioja internationally.
Vineyard
Finca Alto Cantabria is a high-altitude, south-facing vineyard situated above the River Ebro in Rioja Alavesa. Planted mainly to Viura, the vines grow on poor, stony, limestone-rich soils that naturally limit yields and enhance concentration. The elevated position and cooling breezes preserve acidity and aromatic purity, allowing the fruit to achieve ripeness without losing tension. This unique site gives the wine its distinctive mineral and structural profile.
Winery
Grapes are hand-harvested and gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, often French, with part of the wine undergoing lees stirring to add creaminess and complexity. Maturation in barrel continues for several months, followed by further refinement in bottle. The winemaking is focused on balance—oak is present but never dominant, supporting the fruit and emphasising the vineyard’s character.
