Abel Mendoza
Summary
Abel Mendoza and his wife Maite Fernández craft wines from 20 hectares of individually-selected parcels in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja Alta, where they focus with exceptional but understated quality on Tempranillo and traditional white varieties from limestone-clay soils along the Ebro River's northern banks. Their meticulous, small-scale approach is exemplified through separate vinification of each parcel, with distinctive white wines undergoing whole-cluster pressing and fermentation in French oak barrels.
Heritage & Leadership
Abel Mendoza and his wife Maite Fernández operate their small family winery in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, located in the heart of Rioja Alta. Their winery focuses on producing wines from individually-selected parcels, maintaining traditional viticultural practices that reflect the specific terroir of this section of Rioja.
Vineyards & Wines
The Mendoza estate comprises approximately 20 hectares of vineyards spread across multiple small parcels in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. These holdings include both red and white grape varieties, with Tempranillo serving as the primary red variety and several traditional white varieties including Viura, Malvasía, and Garnacha Blanca. The vineyards sit on the northern banks of the Ebro River, benefiting from the area's characteristic limestone-clay soils.
Philosophy & Practice
The winery maintains a deliberately small-scale, hands-on approach to winemaking. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately to preserve its distinct characteristics. For white wines, the grapes undergo traditional whole-cluster pressing followed by fermentation in French oak barrels. Red wines follow classic Rioja vinification methods, with aging carried out in French oak. The winery's production emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard site to express its natural characteristics.