Wine Club: August 2026
This month won’t focus on a singular region but instead highlight four wines from the winemaking areas of, and near, Valencia, Spain. Since this theme is a bit more scattered than normal we’ll forgo an in-depth dive into the area and instead focus on the individual producers of these four unique wines. Enjoy!
Zillamina White Blend
Valencia, Spain
Founded in 1932, Bodegas Pinoso, who makes this house wines for importer Jenny & Francois, is one of the largest fully organic and vegan coop producers in Spain. All of their fruit is sourced from high-elevation vineyards that see decent influence from the nearby Mediterranean, leading to vibrantly profiled wines.
The Grapes
90% Macabeo, 10% Airen
Tasting Notes
Bright orchard fruit wrapped around nice citrus acidity. Soft minerality and delicate floral notes in the finish. Balanced and refreshing!
Pairing Suggestions
Can it Age?
Nope, drink ‘er up
Bodegas Olivares ‘Rosado’
Jumilla, Spain
"South of Valencia, Olivares’ estate vineyard, Finca Hoya de Santa Ana, is located in Jumilla’s northwestern quadrant, whose unique characteristics distinguish it from the rest of the appellation. This special zone lies at over 800 meters elevation, where nights cool down quickly, resulting in wines with astounding freshness and equilibrium.
But, perhaps more importantly, Olivares’ 65 hectare here boast incredibly sandy soil and ungrafted vines, of which this may be the world’s largest individual holding. The former provides the wine with a rich perfume; the latter layers on depth and complexity."
-Rare Wine Co
The Grapes
100% Garnacha
Tasting Notes
Minty strawberries, nectarine, juicy watermelon, fresh red flowers, mouthwatering acidity, peach, wet pavement, floral finish. What’s not to love?
Pairing Suggestions
We had it with grilled shrimp and it was fantastico.
Can it Age?
Drink now!
Vera de Estenas Bobal
Utiel, Valencia, Spain
"Founded in 1945 by Francisco Martinez Bermell, Vera de Estenas has been crafting wines from their 47 hectares of estate fruit since their inception. Situated at 800m elevation near the mouth of the Estenas river near the foot of the Sierra del Remedio mountains, their vineyards run northwest to southeast along a broad swath of calcareous clay soils. Summer brings scorching heat, but a cooling wind called the Solano brings relief, and nighttime temperatures can drop substantially due to the high elevation, helping to preserve acidity in the grapes. Under the current leadership of Felix Martinez, Vera de Estenas is producing some of the region’s most compelling wines from Bobal vines as old as 100 years."
-Jose Pastor
The Grapes
100% Bobal
Tasting Notes
Rich but bouncy black fruit (blackberry, boysenberry), mentholated berries, nice acid and tannin and a smooth finish.
Pairing Suggestions
This vibrant Spanish steak recipe will work wonders
Can it Age?
Yes, until 2029
Juanvi ‘Rubielos de Mora’
Aragon, Spain
"Juanvi is a small-scale, artisan winery established in 2008 in the town of Rubielos de Mora in the Sierra de Gúdar-Javalambre mountains at 1000m, surrounded by beautiful peaks and scenic vistas in every direction. The region has a strong continental climate, with a wide daily variation of temperatures from very cold at night to very hot during the day.
Juanvi Rubielos de Mora is made from the organically-farmed La Ermita de Los Mátires and La Loma vineyards near the village of Rubielos de Mora at 980m, consisting of 4ha of garnacha and tempranillo, with the youngest vines planted in 2008 and the oldest being more than 90 years old. Soils are granitic, rocky, and shallow for garnacha and calcareous clay soils for tempranillo."
-De Maison
The Grapes
70% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo
Tasting Notes
Ripe red fruit jumps around the glass (wild strawberries, pomegranates, raspberries) along with great floral notes of crushed rose and some wild Mediterranean herbs. Juicy acid and nice body lead to a long, wonderfully aromatic finish.
Pairing Suggestions
Aragonese tenasco, a lovely lamb dish native to this region
Can it Age?
Yes, until 2030
