Martina Prieto, Martina Prieto Pariente

	Castilla y León, España. (D.O. Rueda) 12 hectares.
	Martina Prieto. (mahr-TEEN-ah pree-AY-toh)
	Martina Prieto Pariente. (mahr-TEEN-ah pree-AY-toh pahr-ee-AYN-tay)
	Martina Prieto Pariente. (mahr-TEEN-ah pree-AY-toh pahr-ee-AYN-tay)
	Hand-harvested. No irrigation. Solar energy.
	4,200 cases.
	Martina Prieto has been part of the Small Vineyards family since 2008.

According to the Michelin guide, the best white wine from Spain is made by Martina’s mother, Victoria, under their famous estate name, José Pariente. Recently graduated with her degree in agronomy, Martina is now formally studying enology, and is making her own wine with Mamá. World renowned for their Verdejo, Martina is taking their estate to new heights, using extreme methods such as harvesting grapes at night (wearing miner’s hats!), and cooling down the fruit to lock in aromatics with heavier-than-air nitrogen, which is blasted over the freshly picked grapes. The result: a stunning achievement that defies the continental heat of Central Spain. Famously, the country is shaped like a large table top – high altitude in the middle, and cliffs that drop off at the edges. In the center, where Rueda is (Northwest of Madrid), and the temperature is 100 degrees all summer long, one is forgiven if they are mystified as to how bracing, crystalline white wines could be produced here. The answer is, the long, cool nights, where temperatures drop like a heavy blanket on the continental shelf. This makes Martina’s striking wines possible – particularly their most alluring feature: the nose. The aromas are pungent, green and taut, with persistent quince, kumquat, lychee, jalapeño, cactus, and the deepest bramble character. The wines are peaked and intense from the first sip to the very long, pure finish. Hers are complete wines; expressions with no rules or fences to close them in, or soften the edges. We believe that these are easily some of the finest white wines from Spain, and, in fact, rival virtually any un-oaked white wine from Europe. We feel incredibly fortunate to bring these wines to you, and once you take your first sip, you’ll know why.