Familia Martínez Zabala

Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco, a new milestone in Rioja wines

Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco, a new milestone in Rioja wines

The prestigious magazine The Drinks Business has awarded a Master medal to Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2020 at the Rioja Masters 2024 edition.

This acclaimed award was bestowed following a competition involving a blind tasting where the jury consists exclusively of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and buyers, awarding the best wines from Bronze to Gold medals, with the possibility of awarding a Master to exceptional wines, as is the case for Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2020. This distinction is rarely granted, as it requires the unanimity of all jury members.

Juan José Díez, winemaker at Bodegas Faustino (Familia Martínez Zabala), has once again been recognized among the best in the world by the guide The Master Winemaker 100, published by the same magazine, The Drinks Business. In the case of Juan José Díez, his inclusion in the book was already endorsed by Faustino I Gran Reserva red 2014, the most iconic wine of Bodegas Faustino, which received the highest recognition with a Master medal and, in this Rioja Masters 2024 edition, has obtained a Gold medal for Faustino I Gran Reserva 2016.

Bodegas Faustino presents this vibrant white wine, of which there are 14,928 numbered bottles. Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco vintage 2020, extraordinary, is a further step that the fourth generation of the Martínez Zabala Family, owners of the company of the same name, has taken by bringing currency, innovation, boldness, and above all, with the confidence that soon we will talk about great vintages of Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco as we currently do about its reds, benchmarks in Rioja wines.

Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco 2020 comes from vines of more than 50 years old Viura grapes, and from Chardonnay grapes, one of the first vineyards of this variety in Rioja. These are hand-selected grapes that have evolved to become a valuable component for these aging wines. The aging of both varieties separately for 6-8 months in new French and American oak barrels, manually rotated to stir the lees achieving complexity and creaminess, and a gentle stabilization complete the stay in wood. A modern style has been sought in this Gran Reserva white, where nuances of stone fruits, peach, apricot, floral and tropical, mango and pineapple, with syrupy notes blend with elegant wood notes provided by the barrel and its bottle aging process.

It joins the select Martínez Zabala Gallery collection

Faustino I Gran Reserva Blanco belongs to Martínez Zabala Gallery, a collection of excellent wines from the wineries of Familia Martínez Zabala, limited editions of numbered bottles that are born in their vineyards, the result of unique varieties that grow in privileged locations and inspire a creation rooted in excellence. These are wines of exclusive selection and aging, innovative, paying attention to the smallest detail.

The winery already holds vintages 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 in its bottle racks, which will gradually be released to the market.

Faustino I is quality recognized over the years. This 2024 has seen its position solidified in the rank 19 of the ranking 'The World's Most Admired Wine Brands 2024' compiled annually by the prestigious British magazine Drinks International.

Legacy of Bodegas Faustino

On October 31st, ‘Legacy of Bodegas Faustino’, the first enotouristic project Planet 1.0. of the fourth generation of the Martínez Zabala Family designed along with Foster & Partners, opened its doors to the public.

This new project, located at Bodegas Faustino, encompasses a universe around wine, nature, architecture, culture, and sustainability, in a unique environment that connects all spaces with the vineyards.

In addition to touring its winery with more than 60,000 barrels and about nine million bottles, and learning about its more than 160 years of experience in the crafting and aging of high-end wines, ‘Legacy of Bodegas Faustino’ offers visitors multiple experiences such as tastings of exclusive and unique wines from the Martínez Zabala Family.

A unique gastronomic experience is highlighted at the Wine Bar, a selection of the best wines from Bodegas Faustino accompanied by “platillos”, tapas designed by Mahercooks, the catering of renowned chef Enrique Martínez where sustainable values, innovation, creativity, and a careful selection of raw materials and seasonal dishes are shared with the Martínez Zabala Family.