TEST Territorio Luthier is a small top Ribera del Duero producer – considered to be one of the First Growth producers of Ribera, according to Tim Atkin MW.
Initially a project that started in 2009, with two partners, Fernando and Cristina, making elegant and subtle wines, above fashion and critics, using Spanish oak and indigenous varieties, Territorio de Luthier was inaugurated in 2018. It is located in a wonderful setting, amongst pines, junipers and roe deer, just 5 minutes from Aranda de Duero.
Fernando Ortiz, sommelier and winemaker. He has a wine distribution company and a wine shop in a 15th century underground cellar in Aranda de Duero. His family, like almost everyone in the area, has always been related to the world of wine. He is the winemaker and technical director.
Cristina Alonso, has an agency specialized in wine tourism. Her grandfather brought wine from the Ribera in a truck to sell it in the towns. Reconverted to the winery business, she is in charge of management, export and wine tourism.
Jesus Madrazo, technical director of Contino for 18 years and more than 20 as a winemaker. Since 2012 he is the Territorio Luthier consultant winemaker.
Territorio Luthier make Crianza (Lara o) and Reserva level whites of excellent quality from old vines, field blend of Albillo Mayor, Viura, Malvasia and Pirules, fermented in concrete tanks and aged in French and Hungarian oak.
The reds are beautifully fresh and expressive, with less new oak and more purity of fruit. Lara o is the Crianza level, Hispania is uniquely aged in Spanish oak, Reserva and Gran Reserva are structured and elegant.
“The winery’s name is inspired by the essence of the luthier, the artisan who maintains an ancient profession working wood and rope creating instruments capable of making souls happy for centuries. We believe that wine made with patience and tradition can share that evocative mission of music. Only with the best grapes, the work of the winemaker, and noble aging in oak that effect is achieved. It is then when a glass of wine manages to tell us about a place, its history, its present and its future. And, furthermore, to revive our spirit.”
