Agricola Castellana
Based in La Seca, Agricola Castellana has become one of the most respected co-operatives in an area dominated by the Sanz family. Founded in 1935 by a small group of ambitious wine-makers the co-operative now has 300 members and 2000 vineyards across Rueda. Although Verdejo has grown in the region of Rueda for a thousand years, its first use was as a sherry substitute. It was not until the Marquis de Riscal (himself a famous producer now) entrusted the French professor Emile Peynaud in 1970 to make a white wine that did not involve oak or Viura, that Verdejo finally came into its own. By using stainless steel, cool fermentation temperatures and no oxidation, Peynaud succeeded in producing a wine in the style of Sauvignon Blanc. Verdejo tends to be a little weightier, perhaps oilier in character than Sauvignon, with a nose that is more herbal than gooseberry. Situated 100 miles northwest of Madrid, Rueda is really coming to the fore in the production of quality-orientated, value for money white wines.