Based in the Bierzo region of northwest Spain, Perez has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, elevating the status of the Mencía grape and Bierzo's unique terroir to international acclaim.
A true visionary, Perez has consistently defied conventional winemaking norms. Instead of seeking uniformity, he celebrates the nuances of individual vineyard sites, using minimalist intervention in the winemaking process to let the grapes and the land speak for themselves. This approach has led to wines that are not only diverse in their expression but also deeply reflective of their origin.
The Mencía grape, indigenous to Bierzo, finds its most authentic voice in Perez's hands. While it was once considered a grape capable of producing only light and simple wines, under Perez's touch, Mencía has shown its potential for depth, complexity, and age-worthiness. His wines often have a unique combination of elegance and power, with aromatic profiles that range from fresh red berries to darker, more brooding notes, complemented by an earthy minerality.
However, Perez's prowess isn't limited to just Mencía. He works with a range of indigenous varieties, including Godello, Doña Blanca, and Palomino, among others. By championing old vines and practising organic viticulture, Perez ensures that each grape variety expresses its truest character.
Perez's experimental nature has also led him to embrace ancient winemaking practices, such as fermenting and ageing wines in clay amphorae, and using whole bunch fermentation. These techniques, while old-world, bring a distinct freshness and purity to his wines.
His wines, from the entry-level to the more exclusive single-vineyard offerings, are a journey through Bierzo's mosaic of soils, altitudes, and microclimates. Each bottle tells a story of a particular place and time, making them not just wines, but also chronicles of Bierzo's viticultural heritage.