Our Story
In 1889, Joaquin Martínez Bujanda began the family winemaking tradition in Oyón, a small town in Northern Spain. His son, Marcelino, and his grandson, Jesús, followed in his footsteps. Jesús' son, Don Jesús Martínez Bujanda, created Bodegas Valdemar in the 1980s.
His son, Jesús Martínez Bujanda (5th generation), is the current CEO of the family’s winemaking business, and his sister, Ana Martínez Bujanda, is the Chief Operations Officer for Bodegas Valdemar.
Jesús fell in love with the Walla Walla Valley while he was a student at the University of Washington. His passion for winemaking and for the valley led him to create Valdemar Estates.
Jesús lives with his wife, Conchita Sánchez Sarabia, and his two children, Teresa and Jesús (6th generation), in Walla Walla. Since then, we have created some of the finest examples of Spanish wines at Bodegas Valdemar. Today, Jesús Martínez Bujanda and his sister, Ana Martínez Bujanda, represent the fifth generation to lead the family business. Together, they opened Valdemar Estates, the first internationally owned winery in Washington state. It is here where they are making their mark on the family’s legacy of innovation while pursuing their passion for wine.
Don Jesús Martínez Bujanda (4th generation)
Jesús Martínez Bujanda (5th generation)
Ana Martínez Bujanda
Three generations of the family in 1930.
Women harvest grapes in 1930.
The Martínez Bujanda family on Mount Cantabria in 1935.
Men enjoy a chuletada, or barbecue, at the winery in 1960.
Jesús Martínez Bujanda (3rd generation) with his grandson, Jesús Martínez Bujanda (5th generation), at the winery in Spain in the 1990s.
Teresa, Conchita Sánchez Sarabia, Jesús (6th generation), and Jesús Martínez Bujanda (5th generation).
A history of our winemaking legacy
“THE FIRST WINERY
Our family saga begins with Joaquin Martínez Bujanda opening his first winery on a small tract in Oyón.
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“THE FIRST VIURA VINES IN ALTO CANTABRIA
Viura vines are planted for the first time in Alto Cantabria.
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“FINCA DEL MARQEUSADO
Jesús (third generation), with the help of his son Jesús (fourth generation), buys the first plot of what is currently our over 445-acre Finca del Marquesado vineyard.
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“CONDE VALDEMAR IS CREATED
Opening of the current facilities and the creation of the Conde Valdemar brand.
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“FIRST BARREL-FERMENTED WHITE WINE IN SPAIN
Our Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria is first produced. This is the first white wine exclusively fermented and made in a barrel in Spain. The first production run is for Restaurante Akelarre.
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“CONDE VALDEMAR FINCA ALTO CANTABRIA
Conde Valdemar Finca Alto Cantabria is marketed both nationally and internationally.
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“REVIVING THE GRACIANO WINE GRAPE
Graciano is planted at Seis Alhajas. Our winery was one of the first to promote the revival of this variety.
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“YEARS OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Important innovations occur during this time. We were the first in Europe to create an automatic temperature control system for fermenting in stainless steel vats. We also began using the bleeding-off method in making rosé wine, created the first Reserva Garnacha, and began work on the plots in the vineyards.
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“THE FIRST WHITE TEMPRANILLO
White Tempranillo vines are planted in Alto Cantabria. A few years later, we became the first winery to market a wine made exclusively of this variety, which comes from a mutation of red Tempranillo.
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“THE BOUTIQUE WINERY
Maturana is planted in Balcón de Pilatos. We revived the native Spanish varietal, which is unique the world over. We also opened a facility at Bodegas Valdemar exclusively dedicated to limited production and special wines.
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“FINCAS VALDEMACUCO
We make our first wines from Ribera del Duero, which, along with Rioja, is one of Spains 11 Denominación de Origen Protegida regions.
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“REVIVAL OF NATIVE VARIETALS
We cultivate native Spanish varietals, including Graciano, Maturana, and Tempranillo Blanco. We make single-vineyard wines from these varieties.
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“AWARD-WINNING INNOVATION
Bodegas Valdemar earns awards for its 100% inclusive and accessible wine tourism experience.
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“VALDEMAR ESTATES OPENS
The fifth generation, Ana and Jesús, open Valdemar Estates, the first internationally owned winery in Washington state.
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“FIRST 100% INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE WINERY IN U.S.
Valdemar Estates becomes the first winery in the U.S. to offer inclusive and accessible experiences.
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“OPENED PINTXO BY VALDEMAR
A vibrant tapas, wine & Cocktail bar in Woodinville, WA
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