Vera de Estenas (Pago Vera de Estenas)

The estate traces its roots to the late 19th century in El Grao de Valencia, with the formal winery founded in 1945 by oenologist Francisco Martínez Bermell. In 1981 the operation relocated to the modernist Casa Don Ángel building, originally constructed in 1919, which now serves as headquarters, visitor centre, hotel, and restaurant. The winery pioneered the cultivation of international grape varieties in Valencia, introducing Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon alongside the traditional Bobal long before this was common practice in the region. In 2013 the estate achieved Vino de Pago status, with the Martínez Bermell Merlot 2013 becoming the first wine released under the new appellation. Today the estate is led by third-generation family member Félix Martínez Roda.

• Founded 1945 by oenologist Francisco Martínez Bermell; family origins in El Grao de Valencia from the late 19th century
• Relocated to Casa Don Ángel, a 1919 modernist building, in 1981
• First wine under the Vino de Pago appellation: Martínez Bermell Merlot 2013
• Currently in third-generation family stewardship under Félix Martínez Roda

Vera de Estenas sits within the Utiel-Requena DO in inland Valencia, positioned near the Sierra del Remedio mountains and the mouth of the Estenas River. At 800 metres above sea level, the estate operates under a dual classification: it holds Vino de Pago status, Spain's highest tier reserved for single-estate wines with a distinct terroir, while also sitting within the boundaries of the Utiel-Requena DO. The Vino de Pago designation is distinct from and ranks above the standard DO framework, recognising estates where geography, climate, and winemaking tradition combine to produce wines of a uniquely identifiable character.

• Located within Utiel-Requena DO, Valencia, near Sierra del Remedio mountains
• 800 metres elevation across 47 hectares of unified vineyard management
• Vino de Pago: Spain's highest single-estate classification, granted 2013
• Dual classification operates alongside Utiel-Requena DO framework

The climate at Vera de Estenas is continental with Mediterranean influence, producing extreme seasonal swings. Summer temperatures reach up to 40°C while winters drop as low as -10°C, and the estate records approximately 2,800 sunshine hours annually with around 450mm of rainfall. The cooling Solano wind, combined with the diurnal temperature variation from mountain exposure, preserves natural acidity in the grapes. Soils are calcareous clay with pronounced limestone characteristics, contributing the mineral signatures evident in the estate's Bobal-based red wines.

• Extreme continental temperatures: up to 40°C in summer, down to -10°C in winter
• Approximately 2,800 annual sunshine hours and 450mm rainfall
• Cooling Solano wind and diurnal temperature swings preserve grape acidity
• Calcareous clay soils with limestone characteristics drive mineral expression in wines

Bobal dominates the estate at over 70% of plantings, with many vines exceeding 50 years of age and some reaching 100 years. These old vines are trained using the traditional en vaso (bush vine) method, which is common in the region and well suited to the dry, high-altitude conditions. Alongside Bobal, the estate grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tempranillo, and the indigenous Valencian variety Tardana. Annual Bobal production is approximately 20,000 bottles.

• Bobal covers over 70% of the 47-hectare vineyard; vines up to 100 years old
• Traditional en vaso (bush vine) training on old vine blocks
• International varieties include Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec
• Indigenous Tardana also cultivated alongside Tempranillo

The estate produces red wines led by Bobal, showing bright fruit, balanced tannins, and mineral signatures derived from the limestone soils, with herbaceous complexity added by the high-altitude, continental growing conditions. International varieties produce wines with ripe red and stone fruit character. The estate also produces sparkling wines under the Cava category and whites from Chardonnay and Tardana. Winemaking uses concrete tanks alongside American and French oak barrels for aging, blending traditional approaches with international techniques introduced by the estate's pioneering generation.

• Bobal reds show bright fruit, balanced tannins, and limestone-driven mineral character
• Whites produced from Chardonnay and indigenous Tardana
• Sparkling wines produced under the Cava category
• Aging in concrete tanks and American and French oak barrels