Tour Stop 1: Family History

Welcome!  

Valdemar Estates opened in April, 2019. It was founded by the Martínez Bujanda family, which has made wine in Rioja, Spain since 1889 – the year Washington state received its statehood. Their winery in Spain is called Bodegas Valdemar. The family has long been known for its excellent vineyards, and today owns about 750 acres of vines across the Rioja region.  

Bodegas Valdemar has always embraced the spirit of innovation. In the 1970s, the family began to modernize the winery and its winemaking processes, installing stainless steel tanks throughout. Considered a novelty at the time, winemakers came from across Europe to see their system of temperature-controlled tanks. In 1992, the family produced the first barrel-fermented white wine in Rioja, the Alto Cantabria Viura. Their dedication to their culture and their vineyards led them to contribute time and resources toward reviving nearly-extinct grape varietals native to Spain, including Graciano. 

Today, fifth-generation family members Ana and Jesús manage the business. Bodegas Valdemar now exports to 55 countries on five continents. Their group of wine companies is collectively known as Valdemar Family. 

Jesús and Ana very much embrace their family’s spirit of adventure. They sought opportunities outside of the Rioja region, eventually finding their way to Walla Walla. Jesús went to University of Washington and had always loved this area. He brought his family from Spain to visit Walla Walla in 2018, and they immediately felt a kinship with the people, the land, and the community. They knew it was the right place to plant new roots. Within weeks, they had signed a deal to purchase land and were making plans to build Valdemar Estates, which became the first internationally-owned winery in Washington state. 

As the family looks toward the future, it does so with an eye to the past. Each generation stewards a timeless winemaking legacy that is innovative, passionate, and bold. Thank you for joining us on our journey.