De La Riva Manzanilla Fina Miraflores Baja

FROM JOSE PASTOR:

THE WINE: The La Riva Manzanilla is made from Palomino sourced mostly from the Casilla Verde family estate situated 7km from the sea, plus a few adjacent parcels. Grapes are hand-harvested in mid-September, fermented in steel tank on the lees and then biologically aged under flor for an average of 3.5 years in a traditional 1/12 solera system. A once-annual saca typically yields about 1500 bottles with an alcohol level of 15% after fortification.

THE PRODUCER: Renowned winemakers Willy Pérez & Ramiro Ibañez set out with the goal of connecting old soleras to their vineyards and have done just that with the revival of the M. Antonio de la Riva label for their project. In the early 20th century, the historic bodega was well known throughout the region and Bodegas de la Riva held 53 hectares in Pago Macharnudo, one of Jerez's most famous pagos. In the early '70s, M.A. de la Riva was sold to Domecq, who slowly dissolved the brand. When Willy and Ramiro were recently able to purchase a few rows in the Pago Macharnudo they decided to revive the long-admired De La Riva name in honor of its connection to the storied Macharnudo vineyard and in tribute to the traditional wines of its past. Ramiro and Willy, with inspiration from this ancient estate want to remake the reputation of contemporary sherry, reorienting towards specific vineyards and soil types, rather than cellar procedures or processes - embracing the complexity of Sherry's past, and reinterpreting its future. With these broad goals, Willy and Ramiro are open to bottling all kinds of traditionally made wines from El Marco de Jerez under the M.A. de la Riva label.