Martínez Alesanco is a wine producer steeped in rich family history that goes so far back that in fact no one is quite sure just how long the family have been producing wine. They have been linked to working on vineyards in some way for hundreds of years though, so it is sure to say that they have the highest levels of experience and standards when it comes to growing and harvesting grapes. They were known to work with grapes in the red land in Badarán, centuries ago, as a way of getting the best possible fruits for their wine. The family have over time preserved vineyards that date back to before the phylloxera plague, a disease which in the late nineteenth century destroyed the majority of vineyards in Rioja.

 

The Martínez Alesanco family are producers of a wide range of wines that are special to the region the grapes are grown in, near San Millán de la Cogolla, in the heart of Rioja Alta. It has it's own unique soil and climate conditions there, which mean that their grapes can be grown in the Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura and Maturana Tinta vineyards only. This makes their wines extraordinary.

 

 

 

Martínez Alesanco wines have received a number of prestigious awards over the years, notably; The Challenge International Du Vin Gold Medal Award 2013 (for the Reserva Martínez Alesanco 2008 Gold Medal Award Bordeaux France 2013), The Bacchus Gold Medal Award 2013 (for the Reserva Martínez Alesanco 2008 Gold medal given by Unión Española de Catadores, and also the Gran Reserva Martínez Alesanco 2005 Gold medal given by Unión Española de Catadores). Their wine was also given a Highly Recommended 4 stars by The Decanter World Wine Awards.

 

 

 

Here at Rodney Fletcher Vintners we are loving the 2014 Dry White from Davenport Vineyards in Kent! English wines have come on leaps and bounds over the last decade or so and the days of other wine producing countries (who shall remain nameless!) sniggering at English wines are long behind us.

What began as a small start up business, on an original vineyard plot at Horsmonden in Kent, has grown into a successful 20 acres of vineyards. Aiming to produce only the highest quality wines, they use organic grape growing methods, allowing the climate along with other environmental factors to influence the grapes and ultimately the flavour of the wine. Davenport Vineyards are equipped to make both still and sparkling wines, and despite the awards (including Gold medals and the Vintners Trophy in the UKVA annual competition), they aim to learn, improve and grow further in their expert wine making skills.

Hailed as one of England's fine wines, the Horsmonden dry white 2014, is made from five different grape varieties: Bacchus, Faber, Huxelrebe, Ortega & Siegerrebea which are blended to form a dry, crisp and fruity wine. This aromatic white has been produced annually since 1993, and has since won many acclaims. The wine has been likened to a New Zealand sauvignon blanc in style but with a more flinty structure and has also been described as "quintessentially English".

 

Will Davenport planted the first vines in 1991, and today Davenport Vineyards is still family owned. Will's training and experience comes from vineyards in Alsace, California and Australia. Davenport Vineyards believe in combining expert technical knowledge with an enthusiasm for producing the finest wine using the most natural means possible.

 

Will Davenport.