The publication of the new report from The Wine Advocate, the world’s most influential wine guide founded by Robert Parker, has brought extraordinary news for our wine project in Elciego.

 

1) Luis Gutiérrez, responsible for evaluating Spanish wines

Luis Gutiérrez, the critic responsible for evaluating Spanish wines for Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate wine guide, has presented his report for the year 2026. This highlights the upward trajectory of our winery and the exceptional quality of our most exclusive wines. These scores represent a fundamental milestone for our family, as they validate our transition towards a winemaking style that prioritizes the purity of the terroir, the elegance of the fruit, and superior technical balance, fused with the most traditional techniques we learned from our grandparents.

 

2) Luis Gutiérrez’s recognition of the Valdelana family

In his detailed analysis of the current situation in Rioja Alavesa, Luis Gutiérrez dedicated some very significant words to the Valdelana family and to the work of our entire team:

 

“The young, energetic, and enthusiastic Juan Valdelana will have his new winery ready in the spring of 2026, after three years of restoring old cellars. Together with his sister Judit, he works the 12 hectares of old vines, planted mainly between 1920 and 1940, which are the source of his wines. I have observed a remarkable improvement in the wines, especially the reds, which show less ripeness and alcohol, more elegance, freshness, and balance, and better integration of the oak.”

 

 

3) Excellence in our wines from Single Vineyards

The results obtained in this edition of The Wine Advocate place several of our wines from unique vineyards in the elite of the denomination.

 

3A) Scores obtained in the Robert Parker 2026 report:

 

Senda de las Damas: 95 Parker points.

 

 

La pared de los curas: 94 Parker points.

 

 

Santa Crvz de Valdelana: 94 Parker points.

 

 

Tronco negro: 93+ Parker points.

 

 

La Medika: 93 Parker points.

 

 

Juan Valdelana Blanco: 93 Parker points.

 

 

 

Juan Valdelana Tinto: 92+ Parker points.

 

 

 

4) A commitment to the identity of Elciego and the future of our winery

 

For us,to receive this and other national and international awards represents the definitive endorsement of a work philosophy based on absolute respect for the centuries-old vineyard and the heritage received from our ancestors. The work of recovering the twelve hectares of old vines is an exercise in responsibility that seeks to bottle the purest essence of our land to share it with the world.

 

See that an institution as prestigious as Robert Parker positively values ​​this shift towards fresher, more balanced and elegant wines reaffirms our strategy of seeking the highest quality through sustainability and a strong connection to the land.

 

This success is an achievement shared by the entire team at Bodegas Valdelana and a fundamental boost ahead of the upcoming opening of our new facilities, where we will continue working with the same passion so that our family name continues to make history in the international wine sector.