From Rueda to Ribeiro: The Wines of José Pariente & Family.
Who hasn’t heard of—or tasted—the iconic Verdejo from José Pariente?
Whether you’re already familiar or just discovering it, we invite you to explore this inspiring winery located in Spain’s D.O. Rueda. While its flagship Verdejo is widely celebrated, José Pariente also leads two more personal and expressive projects: Bodegas Prieto Pariente and A Vilerma. United by a shared philosophy, all three wineries are dedicated to the authentic expression of grape varieties, capturing the essence of the terroir in every sip.
In the heart of Hilversum, at JJ’s Restaurant, a special lunch took place, organized by Dutch importer Vinites. Bodegas José Pariente was represented by Ignacio Prieto Pariente (CEO) and Hector Contreras (CFO). At this exclusive event our writer Inma Muñoz explored the latest creations from the wineries and tasted a curated selection of white and red wines.
A Legacy of Winemaking Passion and Innovation
Located in Spain’s Castilla y León region, under the D.O. Rueda appellation, Bodegas José Pariente is renowned for its artisanal winemaking and deep-rooted connection to the land. This legacy dates back to the mid-20th century, when José Pariente began crafting wines—primarily from Verdejo—to serve in his own restaurant.
After his passing, his daughter Victoria inherited not only his passion but also his vision. With a strong commitment to quality and an innovative spirit, she transformed that legacy into what is now José Pariente Verdejo—an iconic reference among Spanish white wines. In addition to Verdejo, the winery also works with Sauvignon Blanc, a permitted and well-established variety in the Rueda region.
An Afternoon filled with Wines and Fun
During the lunch we had the pleasure of tasting a selection of wines, of which we happily report. This is a selection of wines produced by Bodegas José Pariente and Bodegas Prieto Pariente.
2023 Sauvignon Blanc | 100% Sauvignon Blanc – DO Rueda
This wine is a clear example of how well this international variety has adapted to the soils of the Rueda region. On the nose, it offers the classic aromatic profile of Sauvignon Blanc, enhanced by herbaceous and exotic fruit notes. The palate is fresh, balanced, and versatile, with a medium body and a long, satisfying finish.
We award this wine with a 91-point DWA score.
2023 Verdejo José Pariente | 100% Verdejo – D.O. Rueda
This wine stands as one of the benchmark expressions of D.O. Rueda. In the glass, it displays a bright yellow hue. The nose reveals subtle minerality from the stony soils, complemented by aromas of stone fruit, citrus, and fresh herbal notes. On the palate, it is smooth yet vibrant, with lively acidity, layered stone fruit, the characteristic fennel nuance, and the distinctive bitter edge typical of the Verdejo grape. Generous in volume and persistent on the finish, it delivers a fresh, aromatic, and thoroughly inviting experience.
“Jose Pariente Verdejo embodies the purest and most authentic expression of the Verdejo grape” says Ignacio Prieto Pariente. “This is why it’s always present on my dinner table and the one I love sharing with friends.”
We award this wine with a 93-point DWA score.
2022 Verdejo Fermentado en Barrica (Ecológico) 2022 | 100% Verdejo – D.O. Rueda
Crafted from 60-year-old vines rooted in sandy, stony soils, this 100% Verdejo undergoes barrel fermentation followed by a spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The result is a wine of remarkable aromatic complexity—merging the variety’s signature freshness with citrus and herbaceous notes of fennel and anise, subtly enhanced by well-integrated oak. On the palate, it offers moderate, balanced acidity and a creamy, elegant texture.
We award this wine with a 94-point DWA score.
2021 Las Comas | 100 % Verdejo – D.O. Rueda
This estate wine takes its name from the historic Las Comas vineyard, located in La Seca (Valladolid) and planted in 1910. Produced only in exceptional vintages, Las Comas is aged for 12 months on its lees in 2,500-liter used foudres, resulting in a wine of refined power and subtle complexity.
We were fortunate to taste the 2021 vintage—a deeply personal expression of the Verdejo grape. Though initially reserved, it reveals remarkable ageing potential. On the nose, it opens with aromatic herbs, fennel, and citrus—classic Verdejo traits. The palate is broad and well-balanced, with vibrant acidity, a gastronomic structure, and a full-bodied yet restrained character. Elegant, expressive, and built to evolve.
We award this wine with a 95-point DWA score.
Bodegas Prieto Pariente: A Personal Project
The entrepreneurial nature of siblings Martina and Ignacio combined with their passion for producing quality wines led them to travel around the province of Castilla y León, La Sierra de Gredos and later broaden horizons and head to El Bierzo. Their philosophy revolves around the creation of wines with great emphasis on the expression of the terroir with a modern touch. Prieto Pariente wines are marked by a fusion of tradition and innovation.
We had the pleasure to taste the following selection of Bodegas Prieto Pariente:
2021 Prieto Pariente Viognier | 100% Viognier – Castilla y León
This wine originates from a small, organically farmed vineyard in La Seca, Castilla y León. It offers an aromatic nose with delicate floral notes and ripe stone fruit. On the palate, it is fresh, balanced, and refined—an elegant expression of both variety and terroir.
We award this wine with a 92-point DWA score.
2020 Viñedos de La Provincia | Tempranillo and Garnacha – Castilla y León
Crafted from a meticulous selection of old vineyards in the province of Valladolid, this vibrant red wine captures the true essence of the region. In the glass, it displays a deep cherry-red hue and opens with aromas of ripe red fruits, layered with mineral and balsamic nuances. On the palate, it is fresh and lively, finishing with a medium length and a burst of well-integrated spicy notes.
We award this wine with a 92-point DWA score.
2018 Confines | 100% Garnacha – D.O. Cebreros
A deep red wine with character, made from Garnacha, originating from two vineyards at an altitude of about 1,000 metres. This results in a unique wine with aromas of red and black fruits, mineral touches and well-integrated wood. This Garnacha offers balanced acidity and freshness. It is a round and well-structured wine.
We award this wine with a 93-point DWA score.
O Chan | 100% Godello – D.O Bierzo
This white wine is produced at an altitude of almost 600 metres above sea level in poor slate soils. Faithful to their idea of making wines that express the essence of the terroir, the Prieto Pariente winery introduces us to the Godello grape. An expressive and aromatic white wine with citrus and white fruit notes and a slight hint of spices in the nose. Silky and full-bodied on the palate with a vibrant acidity and a smooth finish.
We award this wine with a 94-point DWA score.
A Vilerma: From D.O. Rueda to D.O. Ribeiro
Bodega José Pariente’s adventurous spirit to explore new regions of the Spanish wine landscape led them to the D.O. Ribeiro, specifically the Avia Valley in Ourense (Galicia). With a deep respect for tradition, they have created an elegant white wine that captures the essence of this Denominación de Origen.
As Ignacio explains: it also embodies a common characteristic of all our projects: the pure expression of terroir in our winemaking creations.
2023 A Vilerma | Treixadura, Albariño, Godello, Loureira, Lado and Torrontés – D.O. Bierzo
The 2023 A Vilerma is a blend of six indigenous varieties from the region: Treixadura, Albariño, Godello, Loureira, Lado and Torrontés. This delicate wine showcases aromas of apple, lemon, and peach, complemented by subtle mineral notes. It is harmonious and well-balanced, with medium acidity and a light, pleasant bitterness. It also reflects a certain Atlantic influence, which is especially noticeable on the palate. Long and elegant finish.
We award this wine with a 93-point DWA score.
A Captivating Showcase of Terroir-Driven Spanish Wines
The presentation of wines from Bodegas José Pariente, Prieto Pariente, and A Vilerma was both insightful and inspiring. It was a true pleasure to discover these three unique projects—each rooted in the same philosophy of authenticity, quality, and terroir expression. José Pariente impressed with the freshness and elegance of its Rueda whites; Prieto Pariente stood out for its innovative and expressive reds and whites from Castilla y León; and A Vilerma captivated with its genuine reflection of the Ribeiro landscape. Together, they offered a compelling journey through Spain’s diverse wine heritage.
This article was written by our own Inma Muñoz (@eigenwijNs). We extend our gratitude to Vinites, Thomas Severs and Bodegas José Pariente, Ignacio Prieto Pariente and Hector Contreras for their invitation and exceptional wines. All mentioned wines are imported and distributed in Netherlands by Vinites.
