Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi
Summary
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi co-founded Comando G in Sierra de Gredos, producing fewer than 30,000 bottles annually of high-altitude (900-1,200m) old-vine Garnacha from granitic soils that yield ethereal, mineral-driven expressions rather than powerful wines. His minimalist approach—organic farming, manual harvesting, native yeast fermentations, and neutral oak aging—has been instrumental in elevating Sierra de Gredos Garnacha to international prominence while redefining what the variety can express in mountain terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi began his winemaking career at his family's estate, Bodegas Jimenez-Landi, located in Méntrida, Toledo. In 2008, he partnered with Fernando Garcia to establish Comando G, a project focused on recovering old-vine Garnacha vineyards in the Sierra de Gredos mountain range. While maintaining his role at the family winery for several years, Daniel eventually departed Jimenez-Landi in 2012 to dedicate himself fully to Comando G. The name "Comando G" reflects the founders' shared childhood appreciation for a Japanese animated series, symbolizing their collaborative approach to winemaking. Based in the village of Cadalso de los Vidrios in the Sierra de Gredos, their operation has become a reference point for site-specific Garnacha wines from this mountainous region between Madrid and Ávila.
Vineyards & Wines
Comando G manages approximately 3 hectares of vineyards spread across multiple small parcels in the Sierra de Gredos, a granite-dominated mountain range southwest of Madrid. Their vineyards are situated at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 meters above sea level, with vines planted in decomposed granite soils with varying amounts of sand, quartz, and mica. The parcels feature primarily bush-trained Garnacha vines, many of which are 50 to 80 years old. Key vineyard sites include Las Umbrías, Tumba del Rey Moro, and Rozas, each with distinct exposures and microclimate conditions that contribute to their individual character. The continental Mediterranean climate of the region, moderated by altitude, creates significant diurnal temperature variations that help preserve acidity in the grapes while allowing for proper ripening. Annual production remains deliberately small, with total output typically under 30,000 bottles across all cuvées.
Philosophy & Practice
Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi and his partner Fernando Garcia employ traditional viticulture and minimalist winemaking techniques. Their vineyards are farmed according to organic principles, with manual cultivation and harvesting. In the cellar, fermentations occur with native yeasts in open-top wooden vats, with gentle extraction achieved through foot-treading rather than mechanical methods. Aging takes place primarily in used French oak barrels and foudres of various sizes, with maturation periods typically ranging from 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvée. Sulfur additions are minimal and occur only at bottling. Their approach emphasizes transparency of terroir, with each bottling designed to express the specific characteristics of its vineyard site. This site-specific focus has contributed significantly to the renewed appreciation for Sierra de Gredos Garnacha, highlighting the variety's ability to transmit the granitic terroir and high-altitude conditions of this mountainous region.