Belondrade Y Lurton
Summary
Belondrade y Lurton is a family-owned winery in Spain's Rueda appellation, cultivating 30 hectares of high-altitude Verdejo vineyards in La Seca's sandy, limestone-rich soils to produce approximately 100,000 bottles annually. Their pioneering barrel fermentation and extended lees aging techniques have redefined Rueda Verdejo winemaking, establishing new quality benchmarks for the region while showcasing the grape's aging potential and mineral character.
Heritage & Leadership
Belondrade y Lurton was established in 1994 when French winemaker Didier Belondrade arrived in the Rueda region of Castilla y León. The project began with just a single hectare of Verdejo vines in La Seca, a municipality within the Rueda appellation. Didier Belondrade, who had previously worked in the wine trade in Bordeaux, partnered with local winegrower José Pariente to create a new style of Verdejo that would challenge the region's conventions.
In the years following its founding, Belondrade gradually expanded its vineyard holdings while maintaining its focus on quality over quantity. By 2000, the winery had constructed its own production facility in La Seca, allowing for complete control over the winemaking process. The Belondrade family maintains ownership of the estate, with Didier's daughter Marta Belondrade joining the management team in 2012. Under their leadership, the winery has maintained its position as a quality-focused producer within the Rueda denomination.
Vineyards & Wines
Belondrade's vineyards span approximately 30 hectares across several parcels in La Seca, all planted to the Verdejo grape variety. The vineyards sit at elevations between 700 and 800 meters above sea level, benefiting from the significant diurnal temperature variations characteristic of this continental climate zone. The soils in these vineyards consist primarily of sandy, gravelly terrain with limestone subsoils, which provide good drainage and force the vines to develop deep root systems.
The estate's flagship wine, Belondrade y Lurton, is produced exclusively from Verdejo grapes harvested from their oldest vineyard parcels. Their portfolio also includes Quinta Apolonia, a fresher expression of Verdejo from younger vines, and Quinta Clarisa, a rosé made from Tempranillo. The winery produces approximately 100,000 bottles annually, with their production deliberately kept small to maintain quality standards.
Philosophy & Practice
Belondrade's winemaking philosophy centers on expressing the unique character of Verdejo grown in the specific terroir of La Seca. The winery pioneered barrel fermentation for Verdejo in Rueda, a technique that was unconventional when they began but has since influenced other producers in the region. Grapes are harvested by hand and undergo a careful selection process before fermentation.
The primary fermentation of their flagship wine takes place in French oak barrels, followed by aging on the lees for 10-12 months with regular bâtonnage (lees stirring). This process adds complexity and texture while preserving the varietal character of Verdejo. The winery employs temperature-controlled fermentation and modern pressing techniques to extract maximum aromatic potential from the grapes.
In the vineyard, Belondrade practices sustainable viticulture with minimal intervention. They employ cover crops between vine rows to promote soil health and biodiversity, and utilize natural predators for pest management when possible. The combination of traditional knowledge and modern technology allows Belondrade to produce wines that reflect both the Verdejo grape variety and the specific characteristics of their La Seca vineyards.