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A very rare mutation of the dark-skinned variety, Tempranillo Blanco traces its origins back to 1988 when it was discovered in Murillo de Río Leza. Since 2007, it has been recognised by the Rioja Consejo Regulador (Regulatory Council) and included as a permitted variety in the Rioja DOCa classification.
Not long after its establishment, Valenciso noticed several of its Tempranillo vines were bearing white grapes with distinctive red stripes on the skin. These vines were then propagated and replanted. Previously, the tiny harvest from these was blended into the Rioja Reserva. In 2020, with the vines approaching 20 years of age, the estate decided to bottle and release this limited-edition white. Only three barrels are made.
The winemaking mirrors that of the Valenciso Blanco (wild ferment, aged on lees in Russian, steam-bent, untoasted oak barrels for nine months), but that is where the comparison ends. It’s a textural and mouth-filling white marrying restrained tropical and orchard fruit flavours underpinned by subtle spice and juicy acidity. We think of it as a white Rioja with a southwest French accent. It’s anything but garden-variety white Rioja. We love it.