Description

Rippa Dorii Rueda Verdejo

Rippa Dorii is an Ontañón Family project, producing wines from two of Spain’s most important wine regions along the River Duero, Ribera del Duero and Rueda. The name Rippa Dorii is the Latin form of “Ribera del Duero,” with inspiration for the name and label drawn from the nearby 13th century chapel of Santa Maria de Ripa Dorii, in Torrecilla de la Abadesa. The Rueda Verdejo is the family’s expression of one of Spain’s most celebrated white varieties — a pure monovarietal wine sourced from their own organically certified vineyards across different districts of the DO Rueda, where poor soils predominate, including old vines over sixty years old with very low yields.

The Vintage

The 2023 growing season was defined by an exceptional hydrological year, with rainfall doubling or even tripling the annual average. Following a historic budbreak, humidity led to localized mildew and sporadic hail which, combined with summer water stress, resulted in lower production volumes. However, this reduction was instrumental in elevating quality, yielding berries with higher concentration. Thanks to a warm summer and a slow, progressive ripening period, the grapes achieved optimal balance, with excellent final sanitary conditions allowing the fruit to reach the winery with intense aromatic charge and uniform maturity.

Vineyard & Terroir

Grapes are sourced from organically cultivated Verdejo vineyards at higher altitudes across different parts of the Rueda appellation, where poor, gravelly soils and outcrops of limestone dominate, including old vine fruit over 60 years old. Specific vineyard sites include Torreduero, Los Curas, and Hornillos.

Winemaking

Grapes are harvested overnight and once in the winery the temperature is further reduced, and the grapes are gently pressed with their skins at cool temperatures for the best transfer of aromas. Natural clarification at cold temperatures is followed by spontaneous fermentation without filtering or manipulation. Part of the fermentation takes place in barrel before the final blending of the wine. A 5% barrel-fermented component is added to the final blend to bring added depth and texture, while the balance is fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness and aromatic purity.

Food Pairings

An unctuous take on Verdejo, with lemongrass, lemon pie, and cistus flowers. Energetic and agile with a lovely creamy texture and a bright, fleshy finish. Pairs well with grilled, baked, or ceviche-style fish such as turbot, sea bass, or lightly cured salmon pair beautifully, as do shellfish like prawns, langoustines, and clams. It also excels alongside fusion dishes with Asian or Mediterranean influences, light white meats, and vegetable preparations such as quiches or savory tarts.

Organic | Vegan | Vegetarian

Rippa Dorii Rueda Verdejo Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Bright straw-yellow with subtle greenish glints
• AROMA: Stone fruit, fennel and mountain herbs with mineral and balsamic undertones
• TASTE: Fresh and fruit-driven entry with an unctuous mid-palate, elegant volume, and notable structure
• FINISH: Long and persistent with the classic noble bitter touch emblematic of Verdejo
• ABV: 13.5%