Ángel Rodríguez
Martinsancho Gran Vino de Rueda Verdejo – 2022
Region: Spain - Castilla y Leon
Ángel Rodríguez
Ángel Rodríguez Vidal belonged to a family of winegrowers and winemakers from La Seca with a winemaking tradition that dates back to 1780.
Martínsancho is Ángel Rodríguez’ mid 19th-century vineyard in the Rueda. This special vineyard and Ángel himself are responsible for the preservation of Rueda’s indigenous Verdejo grape. Planted in 1972, cuttings from this special vineyard were used in 1976 to establish a 10.11 ha (25-acre) vineyard planted in the traditional head-pruned fashion and dry-farmed. Low yield “Verdejo” produces wines with a delicate floral nose, viscosity, a long finish.
Ángel is one of the founders of Denominación de Origen Rueda, which was established in 1980. In recognition of his dedication to the preservation of this variety, he was awarded the Cruz de la Orden Civil del Merito Agrícola by King Juan Carlos in 1982.
Today, the winery is run by his daughter, the winemaker Mª Concepcion Rodriguez, who makes wine with the same spirit and love of the vineyard as her father. Farmed using organic principles, in 2022 the vineyards were awarded status by CCPAE-Spain. Her sons, Arturo and Eduardo spent many long days with their grandfather Ángel in the vineyard learning his passion for viticulture and the basics of goblet pruning. Eduardo is currently studying a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology at the prestigious University of Montpellier, France.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Historic 17th century vineyard in La Seca, Valladolid, D.O. Rueda.
- Altitude: 1575-1970 feet/480–600 meters
- Vineyard Area: 25 acres
- Soil: Alluvial gravel, over 30 feet deep
- Vines Planted: Regrafted in 1972 from cuttings from pre-phylloxera vineyard planted in the mid-19th century
- Vine Training System: Head-pruned
- Dry farmed
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested during cool evenings
- Destemmed, macerated with skins for aroma development
- Fermented at 57ºF for 18-20 days using only indigenous yeast
- Aged 6 months on fine lees
Winemaker's Notes
Angel Rodriguez was awarded the Cross of the Civil Order of Agricultura for reestablishing the Verdejo variety’s prominence in the region of origin by King Juan Carlos. Rich aromas of citrus and stone. Herbal hints complement ripe fruit with layered texture and pronounced minerality. Freshness and complexity mingle on the long finish.
Wine Summary
100% Verdejo; alcohol: 13%; estate vineyard at 1575-1970 feet in D.O. Rueda, planted in 1972 on pre-phylloxera wood and recognized for reestablishing the variety in the region of origin; deep alluvial gravel soil; dry farmed, head-trained vines; hand harvested, destemmed and macerated on skins prior to pressing; fermented at 57ºF for 18–20 days using only indigenous yeast; aged on fine lees 6 months before bottling.
Technical Information
- 100% Verdejo
- Alcohol: 13%
- Total Acidity: 5.66 g/l
- Residual Sugar: 0.64 g/l
Reviews
98 Points
2026 White Wine of the Year
La Seca. Gran Vino de Rueda. Made from the best grapes from Martinsacho’s dry-farmed old vines, this is a brilliant
expression of Rueda. The wine opens with aromas of mango, pineapple and peach that mingle with bay leaf, dried rosemary and pine needle. The palate is steely and driven with incredible tension and energy, finishing with intense salinity. It is from one of the top vineyards in the area and it certainly reflects its pedigree. A wine that will keep delivering pleasure for many years to come. 2026 – 2032
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, February, 2026
General Info
| COUNTRY | SPAIN |
| REGION | Castilla Y León |
| APPELLATION | D.O. Rueda (La Seca) |
| PROPRIETORS | The Rodriguez family |
| FOUNDED | 1972 |
| WINEMAKER | Mª Concepcion Rodriguez |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 2,083 9L cases |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | Farmed using organic principles |