DO Rueda is found about 180 km North West of Madrid in the heart of Castille and Leon. On an elevated plain of around 700m above sea level it has a strong continental climate enduring extreme heat and cold. To the north it touches the Duero River (with alluvial soils with high lime content) and to the south the soil is sandy with a gravel and clay subsoil. Because of this there is a good number or 100+ year old pre phylloxera vines knocking about. For all intents and purposes it is known for one thing, Verdejo, which is a grape that everyone loves officially. Whilst sometimes blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Viura they are generally fresh, fruit forward wines with intense citrus and melon and great acidity, often of exceptionally high quality. Founded in 2005, Bodegas Menade is run by siblings Alejandra, Marco, and Richard Sanz—the sixth generation of a winemaking family whose roots in Rueda date back to 1820. While their father, Antonio Sanz, remains at the helm of Bodegas Vinos Sanz, they forged their own path, blending traditional, natural winemaking with cutting-edge technology to honour the past while shaping the future. Menade is deeply committed to biodiversity, launching projects such as an Insect Hotel (boosting insect life by 30%), Mobile Trees (studying plant impact on vineyards), and an adjoining farm to promote ecosystem balance. Their wines are certified organic, free from copper chemical treatments, allergens, and histamines. They encourage insects as natural pest control, ferment exclusively with native yeasts, and use minimal filtration. Through their respect for nature and innovative spirit, Menade is redefining Rueda’s winemaking tradition. || Tasting note: Bright; light and clean the nose is of pears in syrup; with more aromatic and tropical Sauvignon notes of passionfruit and peach. The pallet is light and fresh; with perfectly balances sweetness and acidity. Lots more passionfruit; honeysuckle and lifted tropical fruits on the finish. Long high acidity and elegant texture. || Winemaking Detail: Late harvest, hand picked grapes. Fermented in SST on wild yeasts. Fermentation stopped via temerature control, leaving residual sugar at only 80g per litre. Cold stabilised. Natural filtration. || Features Passionfruit Peach Yellow-flowers Floral Bright
