My Latest in Washington Tasting Room Magazine:
Valdemar Estates: Road to Rioja & Walla Walla
by L.M. Archer
Valdemar Estates offers a compelling mix of Spanish and New World wines, establishing the first internationally owned, 100% inclusive and accessible winery in the state
A SERENDIPITOUS semester abroad changed the trajectory of one Spanish exchange student’s life—and that of his family’s winery. “Before I joined the winery, I already knew that I wanted to live in Washington, and I was truly in love with this side of the country,” says Jesús Martínez Bujanda, CEO of the Valdemar Family group, which operates Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, and Bodegas Valdemar headquartered in Rioja, Spain. Named among Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 40 Under 40,” Bujanda represents the fifth generation of wine growers and producers from the Valdemar Family group.
Bujanda fell in love with the Pacific Northwest during a semester abroad at the University of Washington in Seattle. Smitten with the region, he vowed to live there one day.
After graduation, Bujanda worked as a financial auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers for four years before joining the family winery. In 2014, he assumed its helm as CEO.
First Love
As the family sought expansion beyond Spain, Bujanda suggested Washington State. “The truth is my sister, my father and I came here one time,” he says. “And everybody fell in love with Washington, and Walla Walla in particular.” In 2019, the family founded Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, marking the first internationally owned winery in the region.
“The Walla Walla Valley is widely recognized [for producing] high-quality wines, and the fact that Valdemar Estates chose this region as the place to plant its roots speaks to that,” says the executive director of Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, Robert Hansen. “Wine is a global product, and international awareness of the Walla Walla Valley continues to grow, evidenced by Valdemar’s presence in the region. Additionally, their international connection helps continue to put the Walla Walla Valley on the map of international wine enthusiasts.” READ FULL STORY HERE.
I’m thrilled to share my article in WA Tasting Room Magazine about Valdemar Estates with you.