Bodega y Viñedos Martín Berdugo is located on the banks of the river Duero in Aranda de Duero. It has 87 hectares of trellised Tempranillo, the primary varietal found in the Ribera del Duero. Extreme climate conditions make the Ribera del Duero one of the most famous wine regions in the Spain. The soil composition at Martin Berdugo is heavily influenced by the river. The vineyard is covered in round pebbles that hold the heat and humidity, which is optimal for the vines, and influences the unique flavour and color of the Tempranillo grape.
The wineries buildings are also impressive, with a modern architectural style. They were designed by Vicky Daroca and María Viñé and awarded a prize for design.
But it wasn’t always this way. If you were to travel back two hundred years ago, you would still find vineyards where the winery stands now. In the time that has passed in-between, much has changed. First there was the war and the vines were ripped out and replaced by sugar beets. In 1990, Josefina Martín Berdugo inherited the land. She and her husband Enrique, their children Antonio, Bruno and Pepa decided to plant vines, as her ancestors had done before them. The grapes from these initial harvests were sold to other wineries in the region. Josefina's son, Antonio, began studying Agricultural Engineering in Palencia, and later received a Master's degree in Viticulture and Oenology. He has since taken over the Bodega. When you spend time with Antonio, one thing is immediately apparent, his passion and charisma. What starts as a small discussion can quickly turn into hours of inspiring conversation. He has a jubilant love for winemaking that leaves you wanting to know more.
It is this passion and charisma that delivered him through a catastrophe in 2013 when the bodega was struck by lightning. The fire quickly engulfed the production building and burnt it to the ground, just before the 2013 harvest. Many friends and family rallied to help after the disaster, and the Bodega was quickly rebuilt just in time for the 2014 harvest.
Antonio’s energy is noticeable in the quality of the wine. The various wines from Martín Berdugo are produced from specific areas in the vineyard. There is a particular attention to detail. The grapes are harvested, hand selected, and brought to the vats in the winery as quickly as possible for fermentation. Preserving this special fresh fruit characteristic is where Antonio's effort and energy shine. It is a quintessential aspect found in Martin Berdugo wine, and you can taste it from the first sip.
