The MartĖnez Bujanda family have always had a very individual approach to wine making. The original winery near Oyon, that Joaquin MartĖnez Bujanda began in 1889, is now a museum and a great tribute to his memory.
Jesus and Carlos Martinez Bujanda It houses one of the finest displays of wine making in Spain. Every item has been restored to become an object of beauty, with gleaming brass, copper and

the fine patina of old, well-used wood. Each item also symbolizes the MartĖnez Bujanda family's constant search for more effective and more efficient production methods. In that sense, little has changed today. The family are as demanding and creative as ever, never accepting that

a style of wine is good enough simply because it's the fashion of the day. They integrate both new and time-honored tradition in order to protect and enhance the enviable reputation they have for high quality wines of distinctive character. The new winery, that was turned into a state-of-the-art complex in 1984, is one of the most modern in Europe, and was originally designed and built by Jes™s MartĖnez Bujanda Jr., the fourth generation to run the business. Here only grapes harvested from the family's own vineyards are crafted into young, fresh wines that carry the Valdemar name, along with the vibrant and elegant Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva of Conde de Valdemar. Jes™s Sr. has retired now and still keeps a watchful eye over and their sister Pilar. plantings, while the bodega is run by his sons Jes™s Jr. and Carlos THE VINEYARDS MartĖnez Bujanda own over 300 hectares (741 acres) of vineyards in the Rioja, Alta, Alavesa and Baja. This is unusual in Rioja, where 86% of all owners cultivate less than 10 acres. It is also estate-grown fruit and, at 150,000 cases a year, one of the largest. Ownership, of course, allows the winery to maintain strict control over quality. The attitude when it comes to grape selection is also different to most Rioja wineries which have completely abandoned the use of Mazuelo the traditional grape variety. The Bujandas feel that a high proportion of Mazuelo (up to 20% in Gran Reservas) helps the wine to age better, and its high acidity gives the wines a structure that can stand up to a wider variety of foods. So although it is difficult to grow, has a low yield and must be aged for longer, a typical reaction from Jes™s MartĖnez Bujanda is "My philosophy is that wines should age very slowly, yet still be enjoyable in their youth." Not a man to let hard work and perseverance stand between him and a great wine. THE GREAT WINES OF MARTÕNEZ BUJANDA The MartĖnez Bujanda family make world-class wines with an individual style that is different from other Riojas, yet they still retain a Rioja identity. Consistent experimentation is undertaken to not only improve the quality of their traditional wines, but to introduce new styles of wine. Grape Varietal Grown: RED-Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Graciano. WHITE-13% Volume Barrel Aging - 12,000 French and American oak barrels in climate controlled conditions. Bottle Aging - 2.5 million bottles subject to an air-renewal system twice a day. Annual Production - 150,000 cases of estate bottled wine. 85% red, 15% white and rosado. 80% Conde de Valdemar (40% Crianza/40% Reserva and Gran Reserva) 20% Valdemar. WINEMAKER'S NOTES Conde de Valdemar Crianza Grapes: 85% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo Alcohol: 13% Vol. Aging: 9 months in stainless steel tanks, 16 months in oak casks, rest in bottle. Tasting Notes(1991): Ruby red with a perfect balance of fruit and oak on the nose. Soft at first on the mouth, then grows to show a rich meaty texture. Conde de Valdemar Red Reserva Grapes: 18% Mazuelo, 82% Tempranillo Alcohol: 13% Vol. Aging: 9 months is stainless steel tanks, 26 months in oak casks, Rest in bottle. Tasting Notes: Intense ruby red colour, very brilliant and live. Clean, powerful and complex to the nose, with a perfect balance of fruity aromas and the spicy tones of its aging wood. Conde de Valdemar Red Gran Reserva Grapes: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo Alcohol: 13% Vol. Aging: 36 months in oak casks, 44 months in bottle. Tasting Notes: Intense cherry red colour. Excellent balance of fruit and delicate oak.Already showing benefit of bottle aging. Meaty and rich on the palate, with a long and powerful finish. Conde de Valdemar White Grapes: 100% Viura from a single vineyard "Alto Cantabria." Alcohol: 13% Vol. Aging: 36 months in new French and American oak casks Tasting Notes (1993): Yellow straw colour. Full intense and complex nose showing the vest characteristics of the Viura with a hint of oak. Medium body, smooth, fresh and full flavored with a very long, clean and rich finish. Valdemar Red Grapes: 100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa Alcohol: 12% Vol. Tasting Notes (1993): Brilliant cherry red colour with violet tinges. Intense wild fruit aromas, well defined, pleasant finish. Valdemar Rosado Grapes: 100% Garnacha Alcohol: 12.5% Vol. Tasting Notes (1993): Pink raspberry colour. Powerful and fresh in nose. Good structured, tasty and fine. Nice acidity and fresh finish