Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco
Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco marks a new milestone in Rioja wines, representing another step forward taken by the fourth generation. This wine embodies modernity, innovation, boldness, and, above all, the confidence that we will soon be speaking of great vintages of this wine in the same way we currently talk about our red wines, which are references in the Rioja wine world.
Winemaker’s Perspective
This wine has been an exciting challenge in which we have invested significant technical effort, and we are proud of the result. After nearly five years of observing its evolution and being pleasantly surprised every day, we are now ready to present it. “All indicators point to it being a winner, with a promising future ahead,” says Juan José Díez, winemaker at Bodegas Faustino.
The Grapes and Vineyard
The wine is made with Viura grapes from vineyards that are over 50 years old, as well as Chardonnay from one of the first vineyards planted with this variety in Rioja. The grapes are meticulously hand-selected and evolve into a valuable component for these aged wines.
Winemaking Process
For our first white Gran Reserva, after decanting the must and achieving optimal clarity, we transferred it for fermentation. Each variety was fermented separately in new oak barrels for two weeks with natural yeasts from the vineyard, and frequent bâtonnage was carried out. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Inert gas is used throughout all phases to prevent unwanted oxidation. The separate aging of each variety lasts 6-8 months in new French (60%) and American (40%) oak barrels (225 L), manually rotated to stir the lees, which adds complexity and creaminess. A gentle stabilization process completes the barrel aging.
Oxygen Management
Careful oxygen management is crucial throughout the process. We control oxygen levels during fermentation and barrel aging to prevent oxidation that could compromise the wine’s quality.
Exclusivity and Limited Production
Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco is part of the Martínez Zabala Gallery, the most exclusive collection of unique and singular wines from Familia Martínez Zabala. This collection features wines made with select varieties from privileged vineyards, crafted as limited editions. In this case, only 14,928 numbered bottles were produced, each one representing the pinnacle of artisanal winemaking.
Legacy and Future
Our goal is for Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco to become a legacy for future generations, establishing itself as a benchmark in its category of Rioja wines, just as Faustino I Gran Reserva already is.
