Named after the owner's father, José Pariente was a hard-working grower and producer from Rueda whose vines served as base for the project launched by friends María Victoria (Mariví) Pariente and Victoria Benavides. They named the winery Bodegas y Viñas Dos Victorias and the wines were called José Pariente. When they went their separate ways, the wineries were split between them. Mariví obviously stayed in Rueda and fulfilled her dream of building her own modern premises. Without much fuss and an honest marketing approach focused on the working methods at the winery, José Pariente has become one of the most respected brands in Rueda for its quality and continuity. More importantly, it has managed to stand apart from the mainstream industrial run-of-the-mill style. Rueda is one of the most technologically-minded denominations in Spain and Mariví readily admits that hand-harvesting is reserved for old bush vines and that selected yeasts are used. Around 75% of the harvest is cold-macerated and vinification is done in stainless steel deposits. Most of the half million bottles produced belong to José Pariente Verdejo, which shows good aromatic intensity, fresh fruit and fennel rather than tropical notes and good consistency in the palate. José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc is at the same price level but its production is limited.

website: www.josepariente.com